Compare the2026 Audi S3VS 2026 Lexus IS

Both the S3 and IS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The IS’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S3. But it costs extra on the IS.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S3 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist with Automatic Brake Activation, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Braking costs extra on the IS.

Both the S3 and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 around view monitors.

The S3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the IS’ (12 vs. 6 years).

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the S3 for 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the IS (3/30,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 25 percent more Audi dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the S3’s warranty.

The Audi S3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the IS’ engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (328 vs. 311) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi S3 is faster than the Lexus IS:

On the EPA test cycle the S3 gets better mileage than the IS:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the S3’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 Audi S3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The IS requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The S3 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The IS doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the S3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the IS:

The S3 stops shorter than the IS:

The S3’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the IS F Sport’s 40 series front tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the S3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The IS doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The S3 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.

The S3 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 IS’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The S3 handles at .95 G’s, while the IS 350 F Sport pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The S3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the IS 350 F Sport (24.6 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

The Audi S3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Lexus IS.

The S3 is 8.4 inches shorter than the IS, making the S3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the S3’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the IS’ useful trunk space.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the S3 has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The IS doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The S3 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The IS has no towing capacity.

The S3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 power windows standard on both the S3 and the IS have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the S3 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The IS prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The IS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield, the S3 has standard extendable sun visors. The IS doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Audi S3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lexus charges extra for Homelink® on the IS.

The S3’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The IS doesn’t offer an automated parking system.