Subaru WRX vs. Lexus IS 250
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru WRX 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 Subaru WRX and the Lexus IS 250.
In comparing the Subaru WRX's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Subaru WRX and Lexus IS 250 have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Subaru WRX's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX is a better car than the Lexus IS 250.
Pricing: A used 2015 Subaru WRX ranges from $12,987 to $26,999 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 Subaru WRX’s base engine makes 268 horsepower, and the Lexus IS 250 base engine makes 204 horsepower. Both the WRX and the IS 250 are rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 445 and 522 miles respectively. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru WRX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Lexus IS 250 has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru WRX 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:
26295
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
19354
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15890 - 36595
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
36550
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
38801
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
21065 - 62000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
19150
Price Range:
12987 - 26999
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
12518
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
9253 - 22137
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
133
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
106498
# Good or Great Deals:
41
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
19316
Price Range:
14422 - 24727
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
17656
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
11301 - 37852
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
150
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
107400
# Good or Great Deals:
46
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.523857 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.571573 / 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 Subaru WRX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
1.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
1.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.1 - 5.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.033
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:
0.474
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.259548978100776
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 10.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.8478234621546487
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.8 - 27.2
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
20 out of / 22Ranking
22 out of / 37Lexus IS 250 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, STI, STI Launch Edition, STI Limited
Lexus IS 250 Trim Levels
Base, Crafted Line
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 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:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
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:
268 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 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 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 445 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
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
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
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
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:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
96.6 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:
3267 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
180.9 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.9 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 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Galaxy Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic
Red
Lightning Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Obsidian
Blue
Deep Sea Mica
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Atomic Silver / Silver Lining Metallic
White
Starfire Pearl / Ultra White
Interior Colors
Black
Carbon Black Checkered
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Purple
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Matte Black trim / Black w/ Silver Performance trim
Beige
Flaxen / Parchment
Gray
Stratus Gray / Stratus Gray w/ Matte Black trim / Stratus Gray w/ Silver Performance trim
Purple
Rioja Red
