Compare the2023 Lexus ISVS 2023 Honda Accord

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 Accord doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The IS has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Accord doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The IS offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Accord doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the IS has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring offers Cross Traffic Monitor and the Accord’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the IS and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

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 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord has not been tested, yet.

The IS comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Accord’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Honda covers the Accord. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Accord ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Accord 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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda 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 Honda 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, Honda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

The IS has more powerful engines than the Accord:

As tested in Car and Driver the IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the Accord Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

The IS has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 12.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The IS has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.8 gallons).

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

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 Accord are solid, not vented.

The IS stops much shorter than the Accord:

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the Accord (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17).

The IS 300’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Accord LX/EX/EX-L’s standard 50 series tires. The F Sport Design’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Accord Sport/Touring’s 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 Accord LX/EX/EX-L.

The IS offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Accord’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the Accord’s (59% to 41%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

The IS 500 Performance handles at .89 G’s, while the Accord Touring Hybrid pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the Accord’s (34.2 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Accord’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The IS is 10.3 inches shorter than the Accord, making the IS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the IS’ trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Accord’s useful trunk space.

The IS’ standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Accord. 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 Honda. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 62% lower rating, Honda is ranked 25th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Accord Sport-L/EX-L/Touring, 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’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Accord can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Accord doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

The IS’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Accord EX/Sport-L/EX-L/Touring.

The IS’ optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Accord offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Accord doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The IS has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring.

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