Compare the2024 Acura TLXVS 2024 Lexus IS

The TLX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The IS doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the TLX and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Lexus IS:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Lexus IS:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the TLX for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the IS (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 11 percent more Acura dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the TLX’s warranty.

The battery on the TLX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the TLX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The IS’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The TLX has more powerful engines than the IS:

As tested in Motor Trend the TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Lexus IS:

On the EPA test cycle the TLX gets better mileage than the IS:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The IS doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The IS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The IS requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The IS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the IS.

For better stopping power the TLX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the IS:

The TLX stops shorter than the IS:

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the IS (255/35R20 vs. 235/45R18). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (255/35R20 vs. 235/40R19).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the IS 300’s standard 45 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the IS F Sport’s 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the IS 300. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the IS F Sport.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The IS doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the IS (113 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the IS.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the IS 300 AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the IS 300 AWD (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The IS doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The TLX has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (93.4 vs. 90.2).

The TLX has 1.5 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

The TLX has a much larger trunk than the IS (13.5 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

The TLX Type S has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The IS doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The TLX’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The TLX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The IS’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura TLX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The IS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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