Alfa Romeo Giulia vs Lexus IS

Enthusiasts are the target audience for Alfa’s sole non-crossover. For starters, it’s a sedan in a world gone mad for SUVs. Also, crash-test ratings are nonexistent, making it a non-starter for anyone who cares about safety. But the elephant in the room is wearing a hat that says reliability and, depending on which publication or research organization is doing the reporting, all the signs point in the wrong direction.

Verdict: With only a four-year/50,000-mile warranty protecting Alfa Romeo owners from potential doom, buying a Giulia is a gamble. Leasing one might be fun, as long as it spends more time in your driveway than in the shop. If only the Giulia boasted the dependability of a Toyota Camry, it could be the most desirable car in its class.

Lexus refreshed the IS for the 2026 model year, infusing it with the latest digital instrumentation, infotainment, and driver-assistance technologies. It also updated the exterior and interior, re-tuned the steering and suspension, and refined the driving experience. However, the lineup loses the IS 300 with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the IS 500 with the thundering 5.0-liter V8, leaving a V6-powered IS 350 with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) as the sole model.

Verdict: The 2026 Lexus IS 350 is enjoyable to drive, exudes quality, and boasts a long-standing reputation for reliability. For those who want a small sports sedan with such characteristics, this is the car.