Luxury Car Comparison: Lexus IS vs. Acura TLX

The competition for the best compact sport sedan is fierce, with excellent offerings from a variety of luxury car manufacturers. For our money, the Lexus IS arrives in Fort Pierce, FL with plenty of performance and interior comfort features to keep it in the running, and its price point sits well below many of its direct rivals. 

Meanwhile, the Acura TLX provides many of the same available advantages, albeit in a different manner. So, which of these performance cars does it best? We’re here to find out. 

Lexus IS vs. Acura TLX: Price and Trims 

First, let’s have a gander at their MSRP by trim to see which one offers the best value. Here’s how the pricing structure for the 2025 Lexus IS breaks down: 

• IS 300: $41,830 

• IS 300 F Sport Design: $43,800 

• IS 300 F Sport: $45,875 

• IS 350 F Sport Design: $45,155 

• IS 350 F Sport: $47,230 

• IS 500 F Sport Performance: $60,815 

• IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium: $65,315 

And here’s the MSRP for the 2025 Acura TLX: 

• TLX Technology: $45,400 

• TLX A-Spec®: $50,400 

• TLX Type S: $58,050 

The IS offers more than double the available trim packages, and it starts at a significantly lower price point. On the other hand, the TLX’s top-level trim is significantly more affordable than the IS’s. To determine which one truly provides the best value, we’ll have to dig a little deeper. 

Lexus IS vs. Acura TLX: Performance 

Both have multiple powertrains to choose from. Here are the two engine options available in the TLX: 

• 2.0-liter Turbo Aluminum-Alloy 4-Cylinder (272 hp, 280 lb-ft of torque) 

• 3.0-liter Turbo Aluminum-Alloy 6-Cylinder (355 hp, 354 lb-ft of torque) 

On the other hand, the IS has four powertrains to choose from, including two different tunings of the V6 engine: 

• 2.0-liter Turbo in-line 4-Cylinder (241 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) 

• 3.5-liter V6 (260 hp, 236 lb-ft of torque) 

• 3.5-liter V6 (311 hp, 280 lb-ft of torque) 

• 5.0-liter V8 (472 hp, 395 lb-ft of torque) 

While the TLX provides a more powerful base engine, the IS has the most available power by a long shot, which goes a long way to explain why the F Sport Performance trims are a bit pricier. The wide range of power output options in the IS lineup also allows shoppers near Jensen Beach, FL far more choice when selecting the perfect model for them. 

Lexus IS vs. Acura TLX: Interior 

The IS has more head and legroom in the front row, while the TLX has more room in the back—however, shoppers concerned with not having enough space for rear seat passengers may want to opt for a larger class of sedan like the Lexus LS. 

In terms of comfort and infotainment features, both are impressively well-appointed, so the question of which is better will largely depend on personal taste. The TLX opts for a slightly more sport-inspired interior style, while the IS interior is a bit more elegant, with available open-pore wood trim and a clean button interface. 

The TLX comes with a 12.3-inch center touch screen, and the IS comes with either an 8.0-inch or a 10.3-inch center screen. Both come standard with a wide range of infotainment features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, connected services, Wi-Fi, and touchpad interfacing, as well as available upgraded sound systems and a host of other features. 

Lexus IS vs. Acura TLX: Safety 

Both brands are well known for their commitment to passenger safety and their thorough list of standard driver assistance features. The IS and TLX come standard with: 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Automatic emergency braking 

• Forward collision warning 

• Pedestrian monitoring 

• Lane departure alert 

• Lane keeping assistance 

• Blind spot monitoring 

• Rear cross traffic detection 

• Automatic high beams 

• Road sign detection 

• And more 

Both also have 5-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Shop Lexus IS Models near Port St. Lucie 

With incredibly comfortable and tech-forward interiors, a long list of safety features, and some truly ballistic performance capabilities, there’s no denying that the IS and TLX are both impressive sport cars. However, the Lexus IS stands out among the competition as the best value luxury sedan. 

We recommend all of our shoppers do their due diligence when shopping for their next car though, and that’s why we invite you to come to Treasure Coast Lexus and test drive a new Lexus IS to see the difference for yourself. Contact us online or call us today at (772) 460-0000. 

FAQ 

How much legroom does the Lexus IS have? 

In terms of interior dimensions, the IS has 44.8 inches of legroom up front and 32.2 inches in the back. The TLX, by comparison, has 42.5 inches in the front and 34.9 inches in the back. 

What is the max horsepower of the Lexus IS? 

When equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 engine found in the F Sport Performance grades, the IS cranks out 472 horsepower. 

What are the available colors for the Lexus IS? 

Colors include Ultra White, Cloudburst Gray, Caviar, Iridium, Infrared, Eminent White Pearl, Matador Red Mica, Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0, and Incognito.