Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 Toyota Avalon

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 Toyota Avalon 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 Avalon 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 Avalon doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the IS Series and the Avalon 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, 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.

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 Avalon has not been tested, yet.

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 Avalon’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 Avalon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Avalon ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

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.

The IS 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (311 vs. 301) and 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 267) than the Avalon’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the IS 350 is faster than the Toyota Avalon:

The IS Series has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XLE’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The IS Series has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XSE/Limited/Touring’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.8 gallons).

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

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 Avalon are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the IS Series has larger standard tires than the Avalon (225/45R17 vs. 215/55R17).

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 Avalon XLE’s standard 55 series tires. The IS Series’ optional 255/35R18 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Avalon XSE/Touring’s 40 series tires.

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

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the Avalon XLE’s (34.2 feet vs. 37.7 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Avalon Limited/Touring’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The IS Series is 11.6 inches shorter than the Avalon, making the IS Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The engine in the IS Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Avalon. 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 Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in service department satisfaction. With a 44% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 17th.

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 Avalon doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Avalon Limited/Touring, the IS Series offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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 Avalon can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Avalon 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 Avalon doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.