Compare the2026 Honda Civic SiVS 2026 Lexus IS

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic Si deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic Si’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The IS’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Civic Si’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 Civic Si 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 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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

	Civic Si	IS
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30%	35%
Neck Stress	241 lbs.	429 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	189/372 lbs.	599/675 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	25%	41%
Neck Compression	61 lbs.	81 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	275/164 lbs.	399/459 lbs.

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 Honda Civic Si is safer than the Lexus IS:

	Civic Si	IS
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	286 lbs.	406 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
HIC	260	293

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

The Honda Civic Si achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The IS has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are over 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Civic Si’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Si gets better mileage than the IS:

			MPG
Civic Si
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
IS
		3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Civic Si 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 Civic Si 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Civic Si higher (5 out of 10) than the Lexus IS (4). This means the Civic Si produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the IS every 15,000 miles.

The Civic Si offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The IS doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Civic Si stops shorter than the IS:

	Civic Si	IS
100 to 0 MPH	312 feet	326 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	102 feet	110 feet	Motor Trend

The Civic Si handles at .97 G’s, while the IS 350 F Sport pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Honda Civic Si may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 950 pounds less than the Lexus IS.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Civic Si has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The IS uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Civic Si a Mid-size car, while the IS is rated a Compact.

The Civic Si has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (96.6 vs. 90.2).

The Civic Si has 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 5.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

The Civic Si has a much larger trunk than the IS (14.1 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

The Civic Si’s power window, power lock, power mirror 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.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Civic Si, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Civic was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 10 more times in the last 42 years. The IS has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Civic as the 2025 North American Car of the Year. The IS has never been chosen.

The Honda Civic outsold the Lexus IS by over 12 to one during 2025.