Acura TLX vs. Lexus IS 250
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura TLX and Lexus IS 250 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Acura TLX and the Lexus IS 250.
When comparing the Acura TLX's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Acura TLX has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Acura TLX's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Acura TLX is a better car than the Lexus IS 250.
Pricing: A used 2015 Acura TLX ranges from $11,601 to $20,990 while a used 2015 Lexus IS 250 is priced between $14,422 to $24,727.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura TLX’s base engine makes 206 horsepower, and the Lexus IS 250 base engine makes 204 horsepower. The TLX is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 602 miles. The IS 250 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 522 miles. This gives the Acura TLX the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Lexus IS 250. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Acura TLX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Lexus IS 250 has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Acura TLX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$31,445
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$56,704
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$27,065 - $115,700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$36,550
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$38,801
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$21,065 - $62,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$16,289
Price Range:
$11,601 - $20,990
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$21,032
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$12,599 - $36,262
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
243
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
103,107
# Good or Great Deals:
79
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$19,316
Price Range:
$14,422 - $24,727
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$17,656
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$11,301 - $37,852
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
162
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
97,232
# Good or Great Deals:
52
Acura TLX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Lexus IS 250 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura TLX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 5.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
5.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 250
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.5 - 5.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
47.4%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
7.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.9 - 18.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.8 - 27.2
Acura TLX Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
27 out of / 29Lexus IS 250 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura TLX Trim Levels
Base, SH-AWD V6 w/Advance, SH-AWD V6 w/Tech, V6, V6 w/Advance, V6 w/Tech, w/Tech
Lexus IS 250 Trim Levels
Base, Crafted Line
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
206 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque:
182 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
204 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
185 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
413 / 602 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 522 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Cargo Space:
13.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3483 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
57 inches
Length:
190.3 inches
Wheelbase:
109.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3461 lbs
Width:
79.8 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
183.7 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Copper Pearl / Crystal Black Pearl
Blue
Fathom Blue Pearl
Gray
Graphite Luster Metallic / Slate Silver Metallic
Red
Basque Red Pearl II
White
Bellanova White Pearl
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Obsidian
Blue
Deep Sea Mica
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Red
Matador Red Mica
White
Starfire Pearl / Ultra White
Silver
Atomic Silver / Silver Lining Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
Brown
Espresso
Gray
Graystone
Purple
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Flaxen / Parchment
Black
Black / Black w/ Matte Black trim / Black w/ Silver Performance trim
Brown
Not available
Gray
Stratus Gray / Stratus Gray w/ Matte Black trim / Stratus Gray w/ Silver Performance trim
Purple
Rioja Red
