2022 Lexus IS vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was a nod to its predecessor, the 2008 Lexus IS F, maintaining the essence of a powerful sports sedan. It featured a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine, delivering 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, channelled to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Priced at $72,900 Canadian, it offered a thrilling driving experience, balancing emotional excitement with everyday comfort and reliability. The IS 500's exterior styling was subtle, with minor trim modifications and exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels, while the interior remained similar to the IS 350 F Sport, providing a comfortable space for four with quality materials and an easy-to-use infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid continued its legacy as a reliable family sedan, with minimal changes from its previous iteration. Its exterior design was futuristic and expressive, featuring a bold front end and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, the Camry Hybrid boasted a wild dashboard design with a sweeping curve and a spacious second row, offering comfort and practicality. The fit and finish were of high quality, with smooth paint and trim, and the interior materials were carefully selected. The Camry Hybrid's trunk space was generous, thanks to the low-mounted battery pack, allowing for a pass-through for long items and foldable rear seats for additional cargo capacity.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was a powerhouse, equipped with a 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 472 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. It featured a rear-wheel-drive system, an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission, and a limited-slip differential. The car's weight distribution was slightly altered due to the engine, with 56% over the front wheels and 44% over the rear. It offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The IS 500 could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and its adaptive variable suspension and Yamaha rear performance damper provided a comfortable and stable ride. However, it was not particularly fuel-efficient, averaging 13.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, on the other hand, focused on fuel efficiency, with entry-level LE models achieving 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 4.8 on the highway. It used a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. Power was sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled CVT, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models. The Camry Hybrid offered drive modes such as EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport, though maintaining EV mode was challenging. Its handling was commendable, with a lower centre of gravity due to the battery placement, providing a more engaging driving experience than the gasoline-only Camry.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance excelled in comfort, with effective climate control and seat ventilation systems. The front seats were snug yet comfortable, offering excellent thigh support and a driving position that enhanced control. The rear seats were adequate for average-height adults, with rear air conditioning vents but lacking smartphone charging. Storage was decent, though the touchpad controller occupied valuable space, and the trunk was small at 305 litres. The control layout was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs clearly marked.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a comfortable and practical interior, with a reasonable driving position and ample headroom. The front seats provided various storage options, and the second row was spacious and easy to access. The Camry Hybrid's trunk space was generous at 428 litres, with a pass-through for long items and foldable rear seats for larger cargo. The car's warranty covered three years/60,000 kilometres for the basic warranty, five years/100,000 kilometres for the powertrain, and 10 years/240,000 kilometres for the hybrid battery.

The 2022 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system, solving previous ergonomic issues. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The IS 500 Premium added a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The dynamic voice command system was impressive, accurately handling queries and commands.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was equipped with advanced technology, including a JBL-tuned premium audio system with nine speakers on the XLE model. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the LE and a 9-inch touchscreen on other models. The Camry Hybrid also featured a smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path rearview camera. A 10-inch head-up display was available on XSE and XLE models, along with a bird’s-eye view camera and intelligent clearance sonar.

The 2022 Lexus IS came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, offering a range of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. It received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned a four-star frontal-impact rating.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, with features like a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. It also had 10 airbags, stability control, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Camry Hybrid received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.