Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 Buick Regal Sportback

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS Series have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Regal Sportback doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

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

Both the IS Series and the Regal Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS Series the rating of “Top Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 85 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Regal Sportback has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked 16th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in reliability. Buick is ranked 8th.

The IS Series has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Regal Sportback (17.4 vs. 16.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the IS Series’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Regal Sportback:

The IS Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Regal Sportback are solid, not vented.

The IS Series’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Regal Sportback’s standard 55 series tires. The IS Series’ optional 255/35R18 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Regal Sportback Avenir/GS’ 40 series tires.

The IS Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Regal Sportback’s (61.6% to 38.4%). This gives the IS Series more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 4.8 feet tighter than the Regal Sportback’s (34.2 feet vs. 39 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the Regal Sportback’s (35.4 feet vs. 41 feet).

The IS Series is 8.6 inches shorter than the Regal Sportback, making the IS Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the IS 350 F Sport is quieter than the Regal Sportback Essence (73 vs. 75 dB).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS Series offers cargo security. The Regal Sportback’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the IS Series. The Regal Sportback doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the IS Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Regal Sportback. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Buick is ranked 9th.

The IS Series’ front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Regal Sportback’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the IS Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (Your Lexus service department must activate this window function.) The driver of the Regal Sportback can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The IS Series’ optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Regal Sportback’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the IS Series detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Regal Sportback doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Regal Sportback’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The IS Series’ optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Regal Sportback doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The IS Series has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Regal Sportback.

Insurance will cost less for the IS Series owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the IS Series with a number “5” insurance rate while the Regal Sportback is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS Series is less expensive to operate than the Regal Sportback because it costs $495 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the IS Series than the Regal Sportback, including $241 less for a water pump, $662 less for a muffler and $150 less for front brake pads.

The Lexus IS Series outsold the Buick Regal by over two to one during 2017.