Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 Toyota Camry

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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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 Camry doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The IS Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Camry doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

Warranty

The IS Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camry’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS Series 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Camry. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Camry ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The IS Series’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Camry’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

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 Series’ reliability 17 points higher than the Camry.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th, 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 8th.

Engine

The IS Series has more powerful engines than the Camry:

	Horsepower	Torque
IS 300 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.	241 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6	260 HP	236 lbs.-ft.
IS 350 3.5 DOHC V6	311 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
Camry 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl.	203 HP	184 lbs.-ft.
Camry XSE 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl.	206 HP	186 lbs.-ft.
Camry XSE/XLE 3.5 DOHC V6	301 HP	267 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 300 is faster than the Toyota Camry 4 cyl.:

	IS Series	Camry
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	2.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	7.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12.2 sec	12.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.3 sec	20.2 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.7 sec	3.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	15.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

The IS Series has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry L’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The IS Series has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry LE/SE/XLE/XSE’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 16 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	IS Series	Camry
Front Rotors	13.1 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.06 inches

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 Camry are solid, not vented.

The IS Series stops much shorter than the Camry:

	IS Series	Camry
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the IS Series has larger standard tires than the Camry (225/45R17 vs. 205/65R16).

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 Camry L’s standard 65 series tires. The IS Series’ optional 255/35R18 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Camry XSE’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS Series has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Camry L.

Suspension and Handling

The IS Series offers an optional 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 Camry’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The IS Series has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The IS Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Camry’s (59.5% to 40.5%). This gives the IS Series more stable handling and braking.

The IS Series AWD handles at .89 G’s, while the Camry XLE pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Camry XLE (26 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Camry L/LE’s (34.2 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Camry SE/XLE/XSE’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

Chassis

The IS Series is 7.8 inches shorter than the Camry L/LE/XLE, making the IS Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The IS Series 300 RWD offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Camry doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the IS 350 F Sport is quieter than the Camry SE (65 vs. 68 dB).

Cargo Capacity

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

The IS Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camry L doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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

Servicing Ease

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

The IS Series has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Camry doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in service department satisfaction. With a 44% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 17th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the IS Series, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat (memory seat optional for the front passenger), steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Camry doesn’t offer a memory system.

The IS Series’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Camry doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The IS Series’ optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Camry’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

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

The IS Series’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Camry and aren’t offered on the Camry L.

When the IS Series with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Camry’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The IS Series offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Camry offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the IS Series keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Camry doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the IS Series’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Camry doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 Camry and isn’t available on the Camry L.

The IS Series’ standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Camry L doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the IS Series and the Camry offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the IS Series has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Camry doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS Series is less expensive to operate than the Camry because it costs $108 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the IS Series than the Camry, including $33 less for front brake pads, $24 less for a fuel pump and $171 less for a timing belt/chain.

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