2025 Lexus IS vs 2026 Ford Mustang
Comparison Overview
Choosing between refined luxury and raw excitement often comes down to budget and purpose, especially when comparing the 2025 Lexus IS and the 2026 Ford Mustang. If you need an everyday sedan, the IS starts at a steep $40,535, compared to the Mustang's accessible $32,320, saving you over $8,200 upfront. However, the Mustang offers significantly more grunt; its base engine boasts 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque versus the Lexus's 241 hp and 258 lb-ft. While the Mustang is slightly thirstier in the city (22 MPG vs. 21 MPG), it achieves better overall fuel economy at 26 combined MPG, though both require premium fuel (required for Lexus, recommended for Ford). The larger Mustang coupe also offers more usable space with 13.5 cu ft of cargo compared to the IS sedan's 10.8 cu ft, which is a crucial factor for practicality.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Lexus IS
The Lexus IS sedan offers a more comfortable and traditionally refined experience suited for daily commuting, despite its lower MPG.
2026 Ford Mustang
Despite being a coupe, the 2026 Mustang offers a slightly larger 13.5 cu ft cargo capacity than the IS sedan's 10.8 cu ft.
2026 Ford Mustang
The 2026 Mustang delivers substantially more power with 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque compared to the IS's 241 hp.
2026 Ford Mustang
The Mustang undercuts the Lexus by $8,215 while providing superior horsepower and slightly better combined MPG.
Choose the Lexus IS if...
- You prioritize the refinement and established luxury associated with the Lexus brand starting at $40,535.
- You need the traditional four-door sedan body style for easier passenger access.
- You prefer the slightly better highway fuel economy of 31 MPG offered by the Lexus IS.
Choose the Ford Mustang if...
- You are prioritizing performance, as the Mustang offers 74 more horsepower (315 hp total).
- You are looking to save over $8,200 on the initial purchase price ($32,320 MSRP).
- You need slightly more trunk space, as the Mustang offers 13.5 cu ft versus the IS's 10.8 cu ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Lexus IS | Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.4" | 189.4" |
| Width | 72.4" | 75.4" |
| Height | 56.5" | 55.0" |
| Wheelbase | 110.2" | 107.0" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5200 rpm | 315 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm | 350 lb-ft @ 3000 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 | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Rear Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/31 MPG | 22/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 365.4/539.4 mi. | 352.0/528.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.4 gal. | 16.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 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 | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.2 in. | 37.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.8 in. | 44.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 56.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.3 in. | 54.9 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 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.9 in. | 34.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 32.2 in. | 29.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 53.4 in. | 52.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.0 in. | 47.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8.5 in | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/45R18 | 235/50R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus IS and 2026 Ford Mustang.
Does the Lexus IS or the Ford Mustang require premium gasoline?
The 2025 Lexus IS explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel to achieve its stated performance. The 2026 Ford Mustang only recommends premium unleaded fuel for optimal performance, meaning regular might be acceptable for standard driving.
Which car is generally larger in overall exterior dimensions?
The 2026 Ford Mustang is slightly larger overall, measuring 189.4 inches long and 75.4 inches wide, compared to the Lexus IS at 185.4 inches long and 72.4 inches wide.
How does the handling differ based on transmission and drive type?
Both vehicles use a rear-wheel-drive layout, which is great for sporty driving dynamics. However, the Mustang uses a 10-speed automatic compared to the IS's 8-speed automatic, which could affect responsiveness.
Is the Mustang a family car even though it's a coupe?
While the Mustang is a coupe, it actually edges out the sedan in cargo capacity at 13.5 cubic feet versus the IS's 10.8 cubic feet. However, passenger space in the rear seats will likely be significantly tighter in the Mustang.
Why is the Lexus IS base model so much more expensive than the Mustang?
The significant price difference, starting at $40,535 for the IS compared to $32,320 for the Mustang, reflects Lexus's positioning in the entry-level luxury segment, which includes different materials and brand expectations.
How close are their fuel economy ratings?
The 2026 Mustang is slightly more efficient overall, netting 26 combined MPG versus the Lexus IS's 25 combined MPG. Their highway figures are closer, with the Lexus hitting 31 MPG and the Mustang hitting 33 MPG.
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