Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 Volkswagen GTI

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

Safety

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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 Volkswagen GTI 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 GTI doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Pre-Collision System in the IS Series as “Superior.” The GTI scores only 3 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

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

Both the IS Series and the GTI have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 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 Lexus IS Series is safer than the Volkswagen GTI:

	IS Series	GTI
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	274	454
Neck Stress	339 lbs.	352 lbs.
Neck Compression	47 lbs.	53 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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus IS Series is safer than the Volkswagen GTI:

	IS Series	GTI
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	806 lbs.	834 lbs.

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

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 GTI was a “Top Pick” for 2017, but no longer qualifies under the tighter 2018 guidelines.

Warranty

The IS Series comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. Lexus will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Volkswagen doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the GTI.

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 54 points higher than the GTI.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 24th, 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 58 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 19th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 16th.

Engine

The IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 13 more horsepower (241 vs. 228) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (260 vs. 228) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The IS 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 83 more horsepower (311 vs. 228) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 350 is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (automatics tested):

	IS Series	GTI
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	14.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.4 MPH	98.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The IS Series has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the GTI (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Lexus IS Series comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the GTI.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the GTI.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	IS Series	GTI
Front Rotors	13.1 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.7 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 standard on the GTI are solid, not vented.

The IS Series stops much shorter than the GTI:

	IS Series	GTI
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS Series’ wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the GTI (110.2 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the IS Series is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the GTI.

The IS Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the GTI’s (60.4% to 39.6%). This gives the IS Series more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the GTI’s (34.2 feet vs. 35.8 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the GTI’s (35.4 feet vs. 35.8 feet).

Chassis

The design of the Lexus IS Series amounts to more than styling. The IS Series has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the GTI (.31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the IS Series get better fuel mileage.

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 GTI doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the IS 350 F Sport is quieter than the GTI Autobahn:

	IS Series	GTI
At idle	42 dB	52 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	81 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	67 dB

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS Series offers cargo security. The GTI’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 GTI doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the IS Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GTI. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

The IS Series has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The GTI doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 GTI 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 GTI doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 GTI can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

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 Series’ headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the GTI’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

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

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 GTI’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 GTI 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 GTI 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 GTI 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 is only available on the GTI Autobahn.

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