2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition: A Celebration or a Swan Song?
With upgraded 6-piston brakes, the 2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition may be the closest we ever get to the return of a V8-powered IS F.
Lexus and Toyota this week are hosting a media event at the companies’ Plano, Texas headquarters, where journalists and influencers are going to get their hands on many new models. Among these new announcements is a limited-production 2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition, which promises to be the best IS 500 yet.
It’s still not a full F model, but it may prove to be the closest we ever get to a V8-powered IS F.
Outside, the IS 500 Ultimate Edition features a bespoke new color dubbed Wind, along with exclusive matte-black 19-inch forged alloy BBS wheels. Behind the front wheels, you’ll find larger 6-piston Brembo brakes with high-friction brake pads and 380mm pillar-fin ventilated rotors. (For context, all other IS 500 feature 4-piston front brakes.)
IS 500 Ultimate Edition: Wind, Circuit Red, & Black
Inside, the Ultimate Edition features a mix of Circuit Red and black elements, including red seat belts, a serialized x-of-500 badge, and a unique Ultimate Edition start-up animation on the LFA-inspired digital gauge cluster. The heated and ventilated front seats mix NuLuxe faux leather and Ultrasuede, while the steering wheel is wrapped in genuine leather.
Last, but certainly not least, under the hood, the IS 500 Ultimate Edition boasts the iconic 5.0L dual-overhead cam 2UR-GSE V8, which produces 472 horsepower and 395-lb.-ft. of torque of peak torque. Interestingly, the press release noted that these power levels were “to the rear wheels,” but I’m guessing that was a typo because there’s no mention of a bump in power. The Lexus 5.0 remains mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that’s shared with the RC F.
MSRP has yet to be confirmed; Lexus plans to make an announcement closer to the release, later this fall.
Our Reaction: Are We Near The End?
Any time Lexus builds a more capable performance model, you can count us as excited. The IS 500, which is currently the last naturally-aspirated V8-powered sedan on the planet, was never a full Lexus F car, but still delivers thrilling performance with daily drivable comfort and in a stylish package that can keep up with the earlier IS F models. (At least during our comparison).
In terms of the Ultimate Edition, our feelings are mixed. Brake upgrades are always welcome, and the wheels look — subjectively speaking and to quote the younger folks — straight fire. But it would have been great to add just a little more power, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and/or something like a special active valve exhaust.
Still, while Toyota and Lexus are busy announcing 2026 model year vehicles, it seems strange that the IS 500 Ultimate Edition is going to be a 2025 model year vehicle. Our best guess? We may be about to see the end of the current generation IS and the V8-powered IS 500 altogether. I hope I’m wrong, of course. There’s nothing official to report. But with the Lexus RC coming to an end after the 2025 model year, along with the GR Supra, it seems very possible that the IS will follow.
So with that in mind, if you want the best IS 500 yet, and possibly last, hit up your local Lexus dealership to see if you can snag an allocation.
