Lexus IS vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 119 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus IS, a 93 mpg advantage and costs about $2,250 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Volkswagen Golf/GTI
Compact Cars · 84 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lexus IS | Volkswagen Golf/GTI |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 26 mpg | 119 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg | 126 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 32 mpg | 111 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 | $650 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 345 g/mi | 267 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI | SIDI, 2.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (AM7) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Regular, Premium, Electricity |
| EPA class | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 52 | 84 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
IS vs Golf/GTI: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus IS or the Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 119 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus IS, a 93 mpg advantage and costs about $2,250 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI runs about $650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the Lexus IS — a difference of roughly $2,250 per year.
What engines do the IS and Golf/GTI offer?
Lexus IS: SIDI & PFI, SIDI. Volkswagen Golf/GTI: SIDI, 2.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Lexus IS and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI as Compact Cars, so they compete directly.
More IS comparisons
Comparison id: lexus-is-vs-volkswagen-golfgti