Compare the2024 Lexus ISVS 2024 Volkswagen GTI

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 GTI 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 GTI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The IS offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The GTI 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 GTI 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 GTI 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The Lexus IS weighs 527 to 754 pounds more than the Volkswagen GTI. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GTI is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

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

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

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 IS’ reliability 40 points higher than the GTI.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The GTI 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 78 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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 23rd.

The IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 19 more horsepower (260 vs. 241) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 350 F Sport’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 70 more horsepower (311 vs. 241) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 500’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 231 more horsepower (472 vs. 241) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 273) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Lexus IS 500 Performance was clocked 7.2 seconds faster than the Volkswagen GTI Autobahn (184.9 sec. vs. 192.1 sec.).

The IS has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the GTI (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The IS has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The GTI’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

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

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 GTI.

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 GTI doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the IS 500 Performance’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the GTI:

The IS stops much shorter than the GTI:

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the GTI (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R18).

The IS 500 F Sport’s has front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GTI S/SE’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 GTI (110.2 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the IS is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GTI.

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the GTI’s (60.9% to 39.1%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the GTI Autobahn pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the GTI’s (34.2 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the GTI’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 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 GTI.

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

The IS uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GTI uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GTI. 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 GTI doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional in the GTI (except S), 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 GTI, and is not available on all models.

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 GTI can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

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 GTI’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The GTI’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.

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

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 GTI Autobahn.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus IS, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen GTI isn't recommended.

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 GTI isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus IS outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by almost three to one during 2022.