2021 Lexus IS
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,475
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,238
Likes: 274
They also increase the height, that is not styling but i guess they wanted more headroom or/and lower seating position.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,763
Likes: 4,081
From: Maryland
The height change is likely becaise of a slight change in ride height. The vehicle's stricture is the same. Roof panel is the same. Headroom will be unchanged.
Track changes can definitely be because of styling, because of suspension changes, etc
Track changes can definitely be because of styling, because of suspension changes, etc
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,918
Likes: 305
From: NY
Whew, some mental gymnastics, that!
You know there's a part of me that's like, "This is still a better IS than before." I think the IS is a strange vehicle in its segment... It doesn't attract the same buyers as some other cars. I will say, I could see myself having one in the future because a used Lexus is a good used car, relatively. However, performance and technology-wise, it's still dated. I guess having Android Auto and the new digital gauge cluster helps.
You know there's a part of me that's like, "This is still a better IS than before." I think the IS is a strange vehicle in its segment... It doesn't attract the same buyers as some other cars. I will say, I could see myself having one in the future because a used Lexus is a good used car, relatively. However, performance and technology-wise, it's still dated. I guess having Android Auto and the new digital gauge cluster helps.
When the 3IS was first released, it was class competitive. When the 2IS was released, it was class competitive and class leading in some areas. The two generations attracted a ton of enthusiasts but then Lexus decided not to improve the car. The mid-model refresh was a complete joke and this iteration looks nice and may handle well, but the 3.5L is slow / ancient / inefficient comparatively so sales are going to suffer again. I guess it doesn't matter as most are going to get the 2L turbo (which is bottom of class) but then enthusiasts aren't going to typically buy that model. Lexus makes strange decisions.
I guess having an uber efficient production process has its drawbacks. That mentality will never allow the same level of powertrain options that the Americans and Germans offer. And couple that with poor business and technology decisions, like not incorporating DI into the 5.7L V8 and shoving it into the LS or simply having that tech in that engine at all. It is just mind boggling the lost opportunities....
I'm secretly holding out hope that the GX will receive the 5.7L as some sort of final send off edition. It is only a rumor in my head.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 552
From: Ca
Width is wider by simply flaring the wheel arches or widening sheet metal of the front/rear quarter & door panels - to accommodate easily changed tracks.
Looking hard at the photos, it looks like the front and rear quarter panels have been flared! Doors look the same.
However internal cabin width is not easy to change.
I would be surprized if 3.5IS had increased EPA Passenger Volume, though new trunk volume could be easily compromized by Chris Bangle rear styling.
5 mm in height is mostly styling eg curvature of sheet metal, or like Steve says - due to suspension changes, especially 5 mm longer rear spring travel & greater ride height etc.
Easy to drop the suspension to lower the floor for lower C of G, but this reduces ground clearance, waistline, roofline and spring travel too.
Even easier to lower the seats for lower C of G and increased headroom, but seating position can be too low, with a relatively high waistline.
The pillars could be 5 mm taller for more cabin height, but that is much more work, and they don't generally like to make those kind of costly changes at midlife refresh.
Increasing the floor to waistline height is complex and expensive.
I thought my wife's IS was already very low ground clearance, with low seating position and limited suspension travel - compared to my GS.
Hence the additional 5 mm in height most likely due to either styling & curvature of sheet metal, or greater rear spring travel with 5 mm more ride height - to keep simplicity and costs low during midlife minor/major refreshes.
2012-19 F30 3 Series 2.0T had terrible lag.
2019-26 G20 3 Series 2.0T so much better.
Wife's 2017 IS200t has bit of lag too, and very throbby note at low RPM - hopefully Lexus quietly makes running changes to their 2.0T...
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Last edited by peteharvey; Oct 17, 2020 at 02:14 PM.
Snapped this frame of the interior on a review video...
on the one hand i'm glad the car has buttons for heated/cooled seats (something i wish the LC500 had), but is the area between those buttons used for anything?
and why does the vertical part just have logos on it? Does that open?
does the car offer a wireless phone charging option?
this video i watched said the loaded is350 f-sport they were reviewing is 56k
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,273
Likes: 1,889
From: WA
Snapped this frame of the interior on a review video...
on the one hand i'm glad the car has buttons for heated/cooled seats (something i wish the LC500 had), but is the area between those buttons used for anything?
and why does the vertical part just have logos on it? Does that open?
does the car offer a wireless phone charging option?
this video i watched said the loaded is350 f-sport they were reviewing is 56k
https://youtu.be/FoKQ9QYloig
on the one hand i'm glad the car has buttons for heated/cooled seats (something i wish the LC500 had), but is the area between those buttons used for anything?
and why does the vertical part just have logos on it? Does that open?
does the car offer a wireless phone charging option?
this video i watched said the loaded is350 f-sport they were reviewing is 56k
https://youtu.be/FoKQ9QYloig
There is no function between the seat heat/ventilation controls and the heated steering wheel button. Up to this point, the IS doesn't have a wireless charger. Not sure if they added one in this refresh.
The portion with the ML logo does flip down to access the SD card.
....I hate the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel in the new Avalon that I drive on occasion.
The portion with the ML logo does flip down to access the SD card.
