Compare the2023 Lexus ISVS 2023 Volkswagen Golf R

The IS’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Golf R doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Lexus IS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Golf R doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The IS offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Golf R 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.

Both the IS and the Golf R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning 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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 124 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Golf R is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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

The IS’ corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Golf R’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Golf R 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 73 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 24th.

The IS has more powerful engines than the Golf R:

The IS has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Golf R (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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 Golf R.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the IS F Sport has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Golf R doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Golf R (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 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Golf R.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 5.1 feet tighter than the Golf R’s (34.2 feet vs. 39.3 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Golf R’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The IS has 3.6 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room and 7.7 inches more rear hip room than the Golf R.

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

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Golf R. 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 64% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

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 Golf R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Golf R, 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. An easy entry system costs extra on the Golf R.

If the windows are left open on the IS 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. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Golf R can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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’ headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Golf R’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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

The IS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Golf R doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus IS, 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 Golf R isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus IS outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by 89% during the 2021 model year.