Even when the IS350 was new it was just a 0-60 gearing special that needed to be revved to the moon to do anything and fell flat on its face at 80

The same engine output and powerband in 2025 is a comical and very on brand for Lexus

 

The Lexus IS in Japan is already end of sale, the 2026 refresh is not offered there. So Toyota management in Japan is just keeping some idle production lines going in oversea markets. This is a pointless refresh that only the diehard IS fan might be considering.

 

People still buy them so as long as they do Lexus will keep making them and updating minimally. I moved on after I turned in my 2016 IS350 in 2019 and never looked back. They are selling these mainly on their design and reputation of reliability at this point.

 

Yep, the peak of the IS was the second generation XE20 in 2005. The IS350 was ahead of its time with its build quality, ride, performance (0-60), handling and value.

The IS today is really 20 years old, the 3rd generation is not that much different in terms of the overall car. The packaging is pretty poor (very tight rear seat). I did consider an IS350 but ended up with a 2011 GS460 instead for a number of years.

 

I had driven 2006 IS350 X-Package (the predecessor to the F-Sport package) and a E90 335i with M-Sport package back to back in 2006. While they "felt" pretty similar in acceleration, the 335i was so much better in handling and driving feel. The biggest thing IS350 was making waves for, was the 306 HP 3.5 Liter V6 in the times when an E90 330i was making 255 HP, G35 was 260 HP and the TL was like 250 HP. The IS350 X-Package was more refined and softer than the then newly introduced E90 335i. The major weak point of any 2IS, is the chassis and suspension engineering. It is early 2000s engineering and Lexus did not put much emphasis on rigidity while BMW came out with a great E9X platform. It was not until LFA came out that Lexus really started paying attention. The 2IS platform is plagued with a poor chassis that flexes, twists and has rattles for that reason. After the LFA, Lexus put a lot of R&D into chassis rigidity in the new platforms. You could feel the torsional flex, vagueness and floatiness in the steering in the older platforms from the 90s or early 2000s. The E9X platform was head and shoulders leap forward.

However, in 2012 Lexus improved things after the LFA with the 3IS chassis based on a shorter version of the 4GS platform. It was much more rigid than the 2IS with a more well engineered suspension and also Lexus introduced a proper F-Sport product with different dampers, springs etc. than the base IS350. Result was, the IS350 F-Sport finally beat out the 335i in some comparisons (Road and track). The 3IS was the perfect balance between handling and decent power. I drive mine daily and it is a great little sport sedan that holds its own against majority on the street.

Having said that, I totally agree that my 2019 IS350 F-Sport has the same exact 311 HP that was updated from 306 HP in 2017. It is identical after two refreshes remains the same in 2025. It is a great engine. Very rev happy, sounds great and makes good power all the way to redline etc. Was hoping they would do something close to 100 HP/Liter with direct injection and modern high compression, it is easy to hit. They did raise the redline to 6800 rpm (up from 6600 pm in my 3IS), but emissions or whatever the reason, the power/torque figures remain the same. Such a disappointment.

 

Honestly, with all this talk about how great analog cars are (whatever that really means), if I were Toyota, I'd lean into the fact that its an old school car, and play up some of that old analog-ness. Perhaps release a new IS500 with no driver aids or something like that.

 

Knock knock fmvss would like a word.

I think they saw something in the customer metrics that pushed them to make this new refresh, but not enough to warrant a full platform up change. Remember Toyota only plays the game when they know they can absolutely destroy the competition or they know that someone has rightfully challenged their dominance.

 

 

All good and dandy. Interior is considerably improved, but I still can't get past that Toyotification of the front end. But above all, the fact it is still equipped with the 311 hp 3.5L V6 is really the disappointment here. That same V6 made 306 hp in 2005. In any event, they'll sell their fair share as those seeking this car won't be true enthusiastics and will appreciate more things like the improved interior quality.

 

I know that guy

 

The face matches the LBX which we don’t get here. In person it’s better, I would likely get black.

Interior is way better and resembles the GT GR a bit

 

looking good! i wish it had the short nubby shifter though like the lbx, tx, etc.

 

haha... great video and interview!!!!

 

I love the IS350... but it's pretty much still has the same performance as my 2nd gen 2010 did, just some better styling, suspension updates and a 10 speed auto. 311 HP, after what, 20 years? LoL wtf

 

Yeah exactly, in 07 it was fast and quite impressive but 20 years in and they STILL have the same setup?!?