Compare the2026 Subaru WRXVS 2026 Lexus IS

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The WRX has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The IS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the WRX. But it costs extra on the IS.

The WRX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The IS doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the WRX and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru WRX is safer than the Lexus IS:

	WRX	IS
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.5%	35%
Neck Stress	348 lbs.	429 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	284/524 lbs.	599/675 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	282
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34.4%	41%
Leg Forces (l/r)	203/285 lbs.	399/459 lbs.

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

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 Subaru WRX is safer than the Lexus IS:

	WRX	IS
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	135 lbs.	203 lbs.
Hip Force	291 lbs.	406 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
HIC	154	293

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

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the WRX’s warranty.

Reliability

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

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru WRX is faster than the Lexus IS (automatics tested):

	WRX	IS
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	100 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the WRX lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The IS doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru WRX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The IS requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The WRX offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The IS doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The WRX offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The IS doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the WRX tS/Series.Yellow’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the IS:

	WRX tS/Series.Yellow	IS
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.8 inches	11.7 inches

The WRX stops shorter than the IS:

	WRX	IS
100 to 0 MPH	317 feet	326 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	153 feet	155 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	110 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the WRX has larger tires than the IS (245/40R18 vs. 235/40R19). The WRX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (245/40R18 vs. 235/40R19).

The WRX tS/Series.Yellow’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the IS F Sport’s 40 series front tires.

Suspension and Handling

The WRX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The IS base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The WRX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The IS’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The WRX tS handles at .96 G’s, while the IS 350 F Sport pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The WRX Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the IS 350 F Sport (24.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

Chassis

The Subaru WRX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Lexus IS.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the WRX a Mid-size car, while the IS is rated a Compact.

The WRX has 8.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (98.9 vs. 90.2).

The WRX has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

Cargo Capacity

The WRX has a much larger trunk than the IS (12.5 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the WRX’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the IS’ useful trunk space.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the WRX’s exterior PIN entry system. The IS doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru WRX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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