2026 Lexus IS (facelift #3)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
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It is not sold there because it never sold well. They stopped sales due to the lack of interest for IS300h.
What ceased sales for many vehicles in Europe is not safety standards, but cyber security standard.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: GA
For reasons like this, I was hoping for a brand-new IS, but alas.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,510
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The Australian regulation is aligned closely with the European ECE135 standard but has not been adopted in other markets such as the United States. As such, the IS and RC has continued on in the North American market but the CT was removed from the lineup there in 2017.
If indeed it was cybersecurity concerns, or even parts sourcing concerns then would be odd the company is now moving to introduce a tech heavy stack on an already compromised or unpatchable platform which is the IS.
Last edited by Framestead; Sep 10, 2025 at 02:05 PM.
CL Editor
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 761
Likes: 99
(I also posted this in another thread about the 2026 IS)
FYI, folks, I reached out to Lexus for clarification -- basically, is the IS 500 officially canceled? -- and here's what they wrote back:
"For 2026, the IS will only be offered with the 350 powertrain."
Which, of course, could mean a couple different things. PR reps NEVER comment about future product, but I think we should note that the RC F and Mark V Supra both received Final Editions in this, their final model years. So maybe 2025 isn't the end? Maybe there's still some hope that a V8-powered IS will return either later in the year or for 2027?
FYI, folks, I reached out to Lexus for clarification -- basically, is the IS 500 officially canceled? -- and here's what they wrote back:
"For 2026, the IS will only be offered with the 350 powertrain."
Which, of course, could mean a couple different things. PR reps NEVER comment about future product, but I think we should note that the RC F and Mark V Supra both received Final Editions in this, their final model years. So maybe 2025 isn't the end? Maybe there's still some hope that a V8-powered IS will return either later in the year or for 2027?
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,631
Likes: 4,810
From: GA
(I also posted this in another thread about the 2026 IS)
FYI, folks, I reached out to Lexus for clarification -- basically, is the IS 500 officially canceled? -- and here's what they wrote back:
"For 2026, the IS will only be offered with the 350 powertrain."
Which, of course, could mean a couple different things. PR reps NEVER comment about future product, but I think we should note that the RC F and Mark V Supra both received Final Editions in this, their final model years. So maybe 2025 isn't the end? Maybe there's still some hope that a V8-powered IS will return either later in the year or for 2027?
FYI, folks, I reached out to Lexus for clarification -- basically, is the IS 500 officially canceled? -- and here's what they wrote back:
"For 2026, the IS will only be offered with the 350 powertrain."
Which, of course, could mean a couple different things. PR reps NEVER comment about future product, but I think we should note that the RC F and Mark V Supra both received Final Editions in this, their final model years. So maybe 2025 isn't the end? Maybe there's still some hope that a V8-powered IS will return either later in the year or for 2027?
CL Editor
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 761
Likes: 99
As car enthusiasts, we are guaranteed to have opinions.
And some of them are even right from time to time, hahaha.
Anyway, I just got the 2025 Yellow Flare special edition in to review for the week and i'm going to enjoy every single mile, especially if this is the swan song.
And some of them are even right from time to time, hahaha.
Anyway, I just got the 2025 Yellow Flare special edition in to review for the week and i'm going to enjoy every single mile, especially if this is the swan song.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 104
Likes: 40
From: NC
Happy I ordered a new 2024 RCF. Color I wanted that's not available on the 2025-Caviar. Sunroom was still available-don't care about a CF roof that could fade, and did not have to pay the $17k upcharge for a car that has "last one " written all over it. I I forgot, the 2025 differential was hand built to make the car faster. Put the AFE intake on along with the Borla exhaust and a throttle controller, now the car really is fun to drive.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 220
From: PA
(I also posted this in another thread about the 2026 IS)
FYI, folks, I reached out to Lexus for clarification -- basically, is the IS 500 officially canceled? -- and here's what they wrote back:
"For 2026, the IS will only be offered with the 350 powertrain."
Which, of course, could mean a couple different things. PR reps NEVER comment about future product, but I think we should note that the RC F and Mark V Supra both received Final Editions in this, their final model years. So maybe 2025 isn't the end? Maybe there's still some hope that a V8-powered IS will return either later in the year or for 2027?
FYI, folks, I reached out to Lexus for clarification -- basically, is the IS 500 officially canceled? -- and here's what they wrote back:
"For 2026, the IS will only be offered with the 350 powertrain."
Which, of course, could mean a couple different things. PR reps NEVER comment about future product, but I think we should note that the RC F and Mark V Supra both received Final Editions in this, their final model years. So maybe 2025 isn't the end? Maybe there's still some hope that a V8-powered IS will return either later in the year or for 2027?
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 275
Of course sales were part of the unofficial equation, but a new side pole impact design rule, known locally as ADR 85, caused Lexus to cancel the IS sedan, RC coupe, and CT hatchback in the Australian market effective October 31 2021. ADR 85 required all new cars sold from November 1, 2021, to pass a difficult new side impact test that Lexus claimed is yet to be introduced in other markets.
The Australian regulation is aligned closely with the European ECE135 standard but has not been adopted in other markets such as the United States. As such, the IS and RC has continued on in the North American market but the CT was removed from the lineup there in 2017.
If indeed it was cybersecurity concerns, or even parts sourcing concerns then would be odd the company is now moving to introduce a tech heavy stack on an already compromised or unpatchable platform which is the IS.
The Australian regulation is aligned closely with the European ECE135 standard but has not been adopted in other markets such as the United States. As such, the IS and RC has continued on in the North American market but the CT was removed from the lineup there in 2017.
If indeed it was cybersecurity concerns, or even parts sourcing concerns then would be odd the company is now moving to introduce a tech heavy stack on an already compromised or unpatchable platform which is the IS.
Sales were number one part of the equation in Europe, as RC-F continued to be sold until 2024.
It is as simple as that. People didnt buy them, they died off.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: N/A
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 383
Sales sucked no doubt of the IS.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 267
From: New York
Just imagine Lexus developed a BRAND new V6 Turbo engine and has only placed it in 2 vehicles - LS500 and GX550.
Why couldn’t they put this motor into this refreshed IS - oh right, that would mean actually spending $$$ on some R&D and figuring out how to mate the 10speed auto.
Toyota Management in Japan should really be embarrassed but I’m sure they could care less about US market and just laugh at Lexus sales compared to the cash cow that Toyota represents.
If I was Lexus CEO - V6 TT would go into all the models that are RWD based architecture. They also badly need a sport/luxury SUV to challenge GLE, X5, Cayenne, GV80. Instead we got the TX 😢
Why couldn’t they put this motor into this refreshed IS - oh right, that would mean actually spending $$$ on some R&D and figuring out how to mate the 10speed auto.
Toyota Management in Japan should really be embarrassed but I’m sure they could care less about US market and just laugh at Lexus sales compared to the cash cow that Toyota represents.
If I was Lexus CEO - V6 TT would go into all the models that are RWD based architecture. They also badly need a sport/luxury SUV to challenge GLE, X5, Cayenne, GV80. Instead we got the TX 😢
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 915
Likes: 1,361
From: Greater Toronto Area
Just imagine Lexus developed a BRAND new V6 Turbo engine and has only placed it in 2 vehicles - LS500 and GX550.
Why couldn’t they put this motor into this refreshed IS - oh right, that would mean actually spending $$$ on some R&D and figuring out how to mate the 10speed auto.
Toyota Management in Japan should really be embarrassed but I’m sure they could care less about US market and just laugh at Lexus sales compared to the cash cow that Toyota represents.
If I was Lexus CEO - V6 TT would go into all the models that are RWD based architecture. They also badly need a sport/luxury SUV to challenge GLE, X5, Cayenne, GV80. Instead we got the TX 😢
Why couldn’t they put this motor into this refreshed IS - oh right, that would mean actually spending $$$ on some R&D and figuring out how to mate the 10speed auto.
Toyota Management in Japan should really be embarrassed but I’m sure they could care less about US market and just laugh at Lexus sales compared to the cash cow that Toyota represents.
If I was Lexus CEO - V6 TT would go into all the models that are RWD based architecture. They also badly need a sport/luxury SUV to challenge GLE, X5, Cayenne, GV80. Instead we got the TX 😢