Compare the2024 Lexus ISVS 2024 Audi RS 3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi RS 3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The IS offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RS 3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The IS offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RS 3 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 that 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 RS 3’s blind spot costs extra.

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. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the RS 3.

Both the IS and the RS 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the RS 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the RS 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The RS 3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 50 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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The IS 500’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 71 more horsepower (472 vs. 401) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 369) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder.

The IS has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 3 (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus IS higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi RS 3 (3). This means the IS produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RS 3 every 15,000 miles.

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 RS 3.

The IS stops shorter than the RS 3:

The IS has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the RS 3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The IS 500 F Sport’s has front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RS 3’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the RS 3 (110.2 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the IS is 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RS 3.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (34.2 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the IS a Compact car, while the RS 3 is rated a Subcompact.

The IS has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 3 (90.2 vs. 87).

The IS has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 3.

The IS has a much larger trunk than the RS 3 (10.8 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS offers cargo security. The RS 3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RS 3. 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.

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 RS 3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the RS 3, 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 RS 3 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 RS 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RS 3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The IS’ optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The IS’ sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The RS 3’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 RS 3 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 RS 3 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 RS 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The IS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The RS 3 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 RS 3 isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus IS outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over two to one during 2022.