2025 Lexus IS vs 2025 Subaru BRZ

$40,535 · Sedan

$33,210 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

The eternal question when shopping for a new vehicle is whether to prioritize daily comfort and luxury or raw, accessible fun. The 2025 Lexus IS, starting at $40,535, offers a significantly more composed experience with 241 hp and better fuel economy at 25 combined MPG, fitting neatly into a slightly larger sedan footprint (185.4 inches long). Conversely, the 2025 Subaru BRZ is the choice for the budget-conscious driver seeking engagement, priced $7,325 lower at $33,210. While the BRZ only offers 228 hp and a smaller 6.3 cu ft cargo area compared to the Lexus's 10.8 cu ft, its smaller dimensions and focus on a 6-speed manual transmission appeal to a different type of driver. Both require premium fuel, but the Lexus sacrifices a bit of city efficiency (21 MPG) for a smoother automatic experience, whereas the BRZ rewards driver input.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lexus IS

The Lexus IS wins for commuting due to its more comfortable sedan dimensions and superior 25 MPG combined efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Lexus IS

With 10.8 cu ft of cargo space, the Lexus IS sedan provides significantly more practical storage than the BRZ's 6.3 cu ft coupe space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru BRZ

The Subaru BRZ, offered standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, offers a purer driving connection for enthusiasts.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru BRZ

The Subaru BRZ offers a much lower entry price point at $33,210 compared to the Lexus IS's $40,535 MSRP.

Choose the Lexus IS if...

You need more daily comfort and require an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission for easier city driving.
You value efficiency, netting 31 highway MPG compared to the BRZ's 27 MPG highway rating.
You need more usable space, benefiting from the IS's 10.8 cu ft of cargo capacity.

Choose the Subaru BRZ if...

Your top priority is keeping the initial purchase price low, saving $7,325 off the Lexus MSRP.
You strongly prefer direct control and the engagement offered by a 6-speed manual transmission.
You want a smaller, lower vehicle profile (51.6 inches high) for a sportier feel.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lexus IS	Subaru BRZ
Length	185.4"	167.9"
Width	72.4"	69.9"
Height	56.5"	51.6"
Wheelbase	110.2"	101.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	—
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	—
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	241 hp @ 5200 rpm	228 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed manual
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Rear Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/31 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	365.4/539.4 mi.	264.0/356.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.4 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	10	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Front Head Room	38.2 in.	37.0 in.
Front Leg Room	44.8 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	53.6 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	52.4 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Rear Head Room	36.9 in.	33.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	32.2 in.	29.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.4 in.	51.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.0 in.	45.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 8.5 in	17 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	Performance
Tire Size	235/45R18	215/45R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 10000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus IS and 2025 Subaru BRZ.

Is the Lexus IS significantly more powerful than the Subaru BRZ?

Yes, the 2025 Lexus IS offers a slight edge in power with 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from its base engine, compared to the BRZ's 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.

Which car is more economical regarding fuel?

The Lexus IS is slightly more fuel-efficient overall, achieving 25 combined MPG versus the BRZ's 22 combined MPG, though both require premium unleaded fuel.

How much cargo space difference is there between the sedan and the coupe?

The Lexus IS sedan provides nearly double the space with 10.8 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the Subaru BRZ coupe is quite limited at only 6.3 cu ft.

Are either of these cars front-wheel drive?

No, surprisingly for two very different types of vehicles, both the 2025 Lexus IS and the 2025 Subaru BRZ come standard with rear-wheel drive configurations.

Which car is smaller overall?

The Subaru BRZ is significantly more compact; it measures 167.9 inches in length and 51.6 inches in height, making it notably smaller than the 185.4-inch long Lexus IS.