Compare the2026 Hyundai Elantra NVS 2026 Lexus IS

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra N has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, 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.

The Elantra N’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 Elantra N and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact 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, 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 Hyundai Elantra N is safer than the Lexus IS:

	Elantra N	IS
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	142	220
Neck Injury Risk	21%	35%
Neck Stress	268 lbs.	429 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	66/48 lbs.	599/675 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Compression	6 lbs.	81 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	135/61 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 Hyundai Elantra N is safer than the Lexus IS:

	Elantra N	IS
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	142
Hip Force	327 lbs.	406 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	355 lbs.	438 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	15 inches
HIC	184	293

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

The Hyundai Elantra N achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 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, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The IS has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

The Elantra N comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The IS’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra N 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the IS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the IS ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The Elantra N’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the IS’ (7 vs. 6 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra N for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the IS (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 4 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Elantra N’s warranty.

The Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (289 vs. 280) than the IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Elantra N is faster than the Lexus IS (automatics tested):

	Elantra N	IS
Zero to 60 MPH	4.7 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.3 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	106.7 MPH	100.1 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra N gets better mileage than the IS:

			MPG
Elantra N
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
IS
	Auto	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

The Elantra N offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The IS doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Elantra N offers an optional 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.

The Elantra N’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The IS doesn’t offer launch control.

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

	Elantra N	IS
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	11.7 inches

The Elantra N stops shorter than the IS:

	Elantra N	IS
100 to 0 MPH	305 feet	326 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	155 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	105 feet	110 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Elantra N has larger tires than the IS (245/35R19 vs. 235/40R19). The Elantra N’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (245/35R19 vs. 235/40R19).

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

The Elantra N has standard rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The IS base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Elantra N has a standard 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 Elantra N handles at .99 G’s, while the IS 350 F Sport pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Elantra N executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the IS 350 F Sport (24.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

The Hyundai Elantra N may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 pounds less than the Lexus IS.

To minimize engine movement during hard acceleration and transmission shifts, the Elantra N has solid engine mounts. The IS uses conventional rubber.

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

The Elantra N has 9.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (99.4 vs. 90.2).

The Elantra N has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 5.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

The Elantra N has a much larger trunk than the IS (14.2 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra N’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The IS doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The power windows standard on both the Elantra N and the IS have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Elantra N 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.

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

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The IS has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Lexus IS by almost 8 to one during 2025.