Compare the2022 Acura ILXVS 2021 Lexus IS Series

The ILX has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The IS Series doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

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 Acura ILX is safer than the Lexus IS Series:

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

There are over 11 percent more Acura dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the ILX’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the ILX’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the IS Series’ camshafts. If the IS Series’ belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

On the EPA test cycle the ILX gets better mileage than the IS Series:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura ILX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The IS Series requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The ILX offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The IS Series doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Acura ILX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus IS Series.

The ILX is 3.2 inches shorter than the IS Series, making the ILX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The ILX has 1.8 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS Series.

The ILX has a much larger trunk than the IS Series (12.4 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

The ILX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS Series’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the ILX has standard extendable sun visors. The IS Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the ILX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the ILX will cost $3990 to $7405 less than the IS Series over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ILX is less expensive to operate than the IS Series because it costs $182 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the ILX than the IS Series, including $199 less for a water pump, $96 less for a muffler, $393 less for a starter, $162 less for fuel injection, $2 less for front struts, $904 less for a timing belt/chain and $580 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura ILX will be $13716 to $22838 less than for the Lexus IS Series.