Lexus IS vs Maserati Grancabrio

2026 Lexus IS vs 2026 Maserati Grancabrio — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Lexus IS

2026 Lexus IS

Compact CarsAWD/4WD
VS1 – 3Maserati Grancabrio wins 3 of 4 categories
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2026 Maserati Grancabrio

Subcompact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Lexus IS is more fuel-efficient: 22 vs 20 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $2,850 a year less in fuel for the Maserati Grancabrio (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Maserati Grancabrio is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Maserati Grancabrio has had fewer recall campaigns (2 vs 15).

The two cars

The 2026 Lexus IS is a compact car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,913 lb.

The 2026 Maserati Grancabrio is a subcompact car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,317 lb (2dr Conv).

Basics

Compact Cars
Class
Subcompact Cars
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
EV, Premium Gasoline
3.5L 6-cyl
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
20 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
17 city
–
EV range
231 mi
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$900

Performance & space

311 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
5
Seats (most)
–
185.8 in
Length
195.3 in
72.4 in
Width
77.2 in
56.3 in
Height
53.9 in
3,913 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,317 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
–
0
Recalls (2026)
0
15
Recalls, all years since 2005
2
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

28,367
Wikipedia views, 30 days
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Buying used

Best used year
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Year to avoid
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Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Lexus IS if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (22 vs 20 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)

Choose the Maserati Grancabrio if…

  • You want an EV with more range (231 miles)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (2 vs 15 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Lexus IS

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 25% below the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Maserati Grancabrio

  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 17% below the 2026 subcompact car average of 24 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Lexus IS specs →Full 2026 Maserati Grancabrio specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →