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Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

2026 Lexus IS vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Lexus IS

2026 Lexus IS

Compact CarsAWD/4WD
VS4 – 1Lexus IS wins 4 of 5 categories
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Subcompact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

Across all model years since 2005, the Lexus IS has had fewer recall campaigns (15 vs 39).

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 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is a subcompact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 8% worse than the 2026 subcompact car average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.

Buying used? The 2024 IS and the 2024 AMG GT have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 IS and the 2019 AMG GT.

Basics

Compact Cars
Class
Subcompact Cars
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
3.5L 6-cyl
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
22 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
19 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,750

Performance & space

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

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
9
0
Recalls (2026)
1
15
Recalls, all years since 2005
39
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
2

Interest

28,367
Wikipedia views, 30 days
28,456

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2015
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Lexus IS if…

  • You need more seats (5 vs 4)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (15 vs 39 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT if…

  • You want more power (up to 630 vs 311 hp)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

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 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Lexus IS specs →Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →