Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2025 Tesla Model 3

The IS’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model 3 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the IS are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The IS offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The IS has standard Safety Connect®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the IS and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus IS is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 17 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the IS’ warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS’ reliability 23 points higher than the Model 3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Model 3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Tesla is ranked 17th.

The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 16 more horsepower (311 vs. 295) than the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive’s standard electric motor.

For better stopping power the IS’ standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model 3:

The IS stops much shorter than the Model 3:

The IS’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Model 3’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model 3.

The IS has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Model 3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The IS has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the IS flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the IS is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Model 3.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the Model 3 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 F Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Model 3 (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (34.2 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The IS has 2.1 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room and 1.7 inches more rear hip room than the Model 3.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS offers cargo security. The Model 3’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the IS to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush, brake pad replacement, and transmission fluid replacement, based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The IS’ headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Model 3’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The IS has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Model 3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the IS offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Model 3 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The IS’ standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS (except F Sport Design) to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The IS is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Model 3, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the IS offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Model 3.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the IS equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Model 3, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Lexus IS empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Tesla Model 3’s traditional radio, the Lexus IS equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Lexus IS retains 60.76% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 43.01% resale value of the 2026 Tesla Model 3 after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner up to $7142 in depreciation.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS is less expensive to operate than the Model 3 because typical repairs cost much less on the IS than the Model 3, including $348 less for a water pump and $37 less for front brake pads.