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Lexus is rather inconsistent with styling.
Benz is probably the most consistent with styling.

 

Not always a good thing, Benz's line-up is hard to distinguish from each other these days

 

Yeah, Benz is pretty consistent at making every one of their new sedans a longer wheelbase version of an A-Class.

 

Thats too bad. The TNGA seems not to be able to accommodate a small RWD car...haven't seen one yet on that platform.

 

I expect that the one from the new Crown, which was supposed to underpin the cancelled 5GS, is what would also be underpinning a potential new IS. The current IS and 4GS both sit on the same platform.

There's also the rumors of a Mazda-derived RWD platform to be shared with Lexus, but as far as I'm concerned that's vaporware.

 

I meant to say that Mercedes probably most consistently produces beautiful designs.

Lexus tends to be a little inconsistent; one day a beautiful LC, and next day a 5LS etc.

Overall, most Lexus products look good eg RX, UX, LC, 7ES and new 3.5IS etc.

 

Hooray for the return of real exhaust tips.

 

i do enjoy how lexus styled their new side mirrors on all the newest model, this IS being consistent with that shape!

 

You mean circular ones? The current shaped pieces are still "real."

 

One thing you can't say about the styling is boring.

 

Oh got it, I understand your point now.

I think most automakers are consistent with design language. It will be subjective though when it comes to each model. I have no qualms with the 5LS other than the hood doesn't meet the grille. Some Mercedes are nice, but I tend to favor Porsche and BMW designs vs other Germans. But that's just IMO.

They do look good and fill their roles well. Where Lexus is struggling is powertrains and innovation. Honestly I think Lexus is a bit lost, and it will continue to be a few more years till they have a path forward. What I mean is, ToMoCo has suspended V8 development, have claimed all Lexus models will be hybrid/PHEV/BEV from 2025, and they are shuffling models (GS discontinued, IS/ES get to grow differentiate), and they have alliances with Mazda and BMW. At this moment they are just treading water and will continue to be while ToMoCo transitions the Lexus brand

 

Great post. I think Lexus was trying to grow to match BMW/Mercedes when they created the LFA and the more aggressive design language we see today, but the market has shifted dramatically in the last 7 years. Things like CUVs and EVs have really caught them by surprise a bit and they are re-assessing how to best attack it. Toyota is patient so it will come out good in the end but the casualties of that patience will be the younger enthusiast market. Their pricing recently has also grown substantially so its no longer a cheaper alternative in many cases.

 

Solid post, right back at ya. Yes this was very evident with the 2IS, 3GS, 4LS, LFA, 2RX, 1GX. The NX and UX were very late to the table as was the RX L. A lot of these like the 2IS and 3GS were very close to their peers (G35, 330i, M45, C350, A6 3.2 the list goes on etc..), subsequently later generations held the status quo rather than their 'Relentless Pursuit of Perfection' which they dropped anyway. The shift in the market has claimed the GS, and they have the RZ (CUV) coming, what they have in store for hybrid/PHEV/BEV is anyone's guess. Toyota is the tortoise, and marches to the beat of their own drum. Patience is key, as are their alliances.

 

sometimes tortoises do get run over though. because they never saw it coming, or chose not to even bother looking.

the global auto business is changing rapidly. in the 70 and 80s gm, ford and chrysler got dumb, fat, and lazy, and got completely blindsided by honda, nissan, and toyota which became the juggernauts they are today, well nissan has slipped, but still not tiny.

i believe toyota has become pretty dumb, fat, and lazy, thinking it can take as long as it wants to study, enter markets, exit others, and make the smallest possible changes to its products, until they no longer sell, at which point they're killed off.
toyota makes a fortune no doubt from rav4, camry, corolla, and old stalwarts like 4runner and tacoma. but the changes they are comin'... and i believe toyota will slip in global standings in the next few years. bottom line, they got too cautious and obsessed with milking every yen out of everything while enjoying their well-deserved reputation and loyal buyers.

this new IS though, does look great outside, but same engine, and the interior, again, is the barest, smallest possible change they could have made. it will keep the IS alive for another few years.

 

I am curious to see how it sells. I don't see any reason to get this 3IS today, interior to me is not as good as before. Exterior is certainly better but same old engines would be a non starter for me. There's just better offering elsewhere today, if someone is on a budget just get a G70 and call it a day. The updated G70 should be good based on the refreshed stinger.

Current 3IS 350 F Sports are being leased for sub 400 per month, that right there tells you how much demand there is for the 3IS, they're basically giving them away.