Compare the2023 Lexus ISVS 2023 Audi A3

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

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The IS offers optional Auto Rear Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The IS offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The A3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The IS has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the IS has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A3.

Both the IS and the A3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 96 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A3 has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The A3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 14th.

Engine

The IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (241 vs. 201) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 59 more horsepower (260 vs. 201) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The IS 350 F Sport’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 110 more horsepower (311 vs. 201) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The IS 500’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 271 more horsepower (472 vs. 201) and 174 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Audi A3:

	IS	A3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	6.8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.7 sec	4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	95 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The IS has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The IS has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Quattro’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A3.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the IS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the A3:

	IS	IS 500 Performance	A3
Front Rotors	13.1 inches	14 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	12.7 inches	10.7 inches

The IS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A3 are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the A3 (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R17). The IS Performance’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A3 (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/45R17).

The F Sport Design’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A3’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS 300 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A3. The IS Performance’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the A3.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the A3 (110.2 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the IS is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A3.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the A3’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the A3’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.4 feet).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the IS a Compact car, while the A3 is rated a Subcompact.

The IS has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (90.2 vs. 87).

The IS has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3.

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS offers cargo security. The A3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the A3. 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 Audi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 32% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The IS 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 A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional in the A3, the IS 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.

The IS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The IS’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The A3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Consumer Reports rated the IS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the A3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the IS offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The A3 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The IS’ sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The A3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A3 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the IS keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The A3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the IS’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The A3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus IS and the Audi A3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The A3 isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus IS outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over five to one during the 2021 model year.

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