Compare the2022 Chrysler 300VS 2021 Lexus IS Series

The 300 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 300 and the IS Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, 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 Chrysler 300 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 Chrysler 300 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 almost 10 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the 300’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.

The battery on the 300 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 300’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The IS Series’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 300’s reliability 23 points higher than the IS Series.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 300 second among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The IS Series was rated third in its category.

The 300 has more powerful engines than the IS Series:

As tested in Motor Trend the Chrysler 300 V8 is faster than the IS 350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6:

On the EPA test cycle the 300 3.6 DOHC V6 RWD gets better fuel mileage than the IS 350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6 RWD (19 city/30 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The IS Series doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chrysler 300 uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 engine for maximum performance). The IS Series requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The 300 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the IS Series (18.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 300 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The IS Series doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the 300 V8/AWD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the IS Series:

The 300 stops shorter than the IS Series:

For better traction, the 300’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS Series (245/45R20 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 300 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The IS Series’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 300’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the IS Series (120 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 300 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the IS Series.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 300 a Large car, while the IS Series is rated a Compact.

The 300 has 16.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS Series (106.3 vs. 90.2).

The 300 has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 7.9 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear hip room and 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS Series.

The 300 has a much larger trunk than the IS Series (16.3 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

The 300 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The IS Series has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the 300 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The IS Series doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the 300 and the IS Series have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the 300 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The IS Series prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 300 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The IS Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 300 has standard extendable sun visors. The IS Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the 300 and the IS Series offer available heated front seats. The 300 Touring L/S also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the IS Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chrysler 300 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The IS Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the 300 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 300 will cost $2085 to $6950 less than the IS Series over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 300 is less expensive to operate than the IS Series because it costs $128 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 300 than the IS Series, including $195 less for a water pump, $778 less for a starter, $440 less for fuel injection, $27 less for a fuel pump, $593 less for a timing belt/chain and $266 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chrysler 300 will be $872 to $5570 less than for the Lexus IS Series.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chrysler 300 and the Lexus IS Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.