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Under that aggressive new look, the latest Lexus IS isn’t much different.
At first glance, the 2021 Lexus IS certainly looks brand new. The styling is cleaner, the proportions are better, and when you start perusing the options list, there’s way more on offer than there was previously. But a lot of carmakers like to pull this trick of promising an "all-new" vehicle when said vehicle, well, isn't new at all. That's the case with the latest Lexus IS.
The stuff that actually matters (at least, to us) — chassis, engine, transmission, drivetrain, etc. — much of it carries over unchanged from the outgoing IS. The 2021 IS is what we'd call a “comprehensive facelift,” even though the company tries to convince us otherwise. That means Lexus took the same seven-year-old car, which was just okay, and gave it a new look, a different touchscreen, and a minor suspension tweak and called it a day. And that simply won't cut it in this class for a few reasons.
Needs More Juice
Even with the optional 3.5-liter engine (versus the base turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 241 horses), the Lexus IS is underpowered – borderline slow for a V6 option in the class. Lexus touts some throttle improvements and better low-end torque for the new year (plus overall fuel economy improves to 22 miles per gallon combined), but the carryover engine on our IS 350 tester gets the same 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet as before. And although those numbers sound decent on paper and comparable to what you get elsewhere in the class, the application feels less than stellar in the real world.
The IS is super sluggish around town and has little oomph below 4,500 rpm (torque peaks at 4,800 RPM). And it takes driving around in Sport S+ mode with your foot buried in the pedal to even keep the revs that high. Some four-cylinder alternatives we've driven feel as quick, if not quicker – the base four-cylinder BMW 330i xDrive gets to 60 in a quoted 5.3 seconds, versus Lexus's claimed 5.6-second time.
Rear-wheel drive comes standard on both the base IS 300 and the IS 350, but our car carries the optional all-wheel-drive system. While power to all four wheels adds more grip, it also adds more weight; the IS 350 F Sport with AWD tips the scales at 3,880 pounds before options. No wonder it feels so damn slow.
The Lexus IS is a competent cruiser that should be comfortable over long stretches.
New for 2021, at least, is the F Sport Dynamic Handling package, a $3,800 option. Supposedly, it makes the IS more agile by adding adaptive dampers and a limited-slip differential. And having the latter feature is nice. But even with the new handling option, the IS still feels about as dynamic as the “old” one, which is to say – not very. Maybe the limited-slip diff on a rear-drive version will feel different. Otherwise, this car is still as decently flat and smooth in the corners as it’s always been, and it delivers solid, weighty steering. But there's still nothing inspiring about how this car moves.
That said, if you're not in the market for pure excitement, the Lexus IS still does a lot of things exceptionally well on the road. For one, it has one of the best rides you'll find in the entire class. The suspension is buttery smooth and soaks up even the most imperfect pavement. The sound deadening is sublime even at highway speeds. The eight-speed automatic is quick and inoffensive, and when you're not hammering it, the Eco and Normal drive modes deliver a comfortable steering feel and a smooth throttle. Relaxed acceleration aside, the Lexus IS is a competent cruiser that should be comfortable over long stretches.
Absolute Eye-Catcher
The new IS also looks great – not just good, great. The evolutionary Lexus styling includes a distinctive new front fascia, headlined by a slimmer triple-beam headlight fixture with embedded LEDs (replacing last gen's “swoosh” accents), a larger grille with diamond-shaped mesh, thinner side vents, and on our tester, F Sport–specific front bumper treatments.
The side profile looks even fresher, with more definition on the door panels – most noticeably a hard crease that extends up and over the rear fender, which we really like – and a slightly larger greenhouse. The taillights are new as well, slimmer and more upright than they were prior. Plus our F Sport tester’s 19-inch matte black wheels, Infrared paint, and a carbon fiber spoiler make for a perfect spec. We wouldn't get it any other way.
Standout Seats
Updated exterior aside, it's hard to tell what's new in the cabin. The 10.3-inch touchscreen now sits atop the dash for easier access, rather than embedded within it, which gives off a slightly more modern feel inside, while the Ash wood trim pieces on the door panel and steering wheel (the latter specific to F Sport models) add a touch of class. Otherwise, most everything looks and feels the same – not that that's a bad thing, the inside of the Lexus IS has always been a great place to sit. The materials are still superb, the layout is pretty flawless, and the cabin is angled around the driver, which makes for a great seating position.
The updated F Sport seats are our favorite part of the interior. Like other Lexus buckets, these are arguably the best you'll find in the entire class – and they're not even real leather. The pair wears a very high-quality “Nuluxe” material, which offers a surprising amount of cushion, great bolstering, and a very form-fitting feel overall. They're like perfectly sized (fake) leather gloves for your whole body.
It's hard to tell what's new in the cabin.
The biggest technological improvement inside of the 2021 Lexus IS is that updated 10.3-inch touchscreen, which now comes with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, and offers navigation as a $2,750 option. The screen is crisp and the graphics are crystal clear, but CarPlay and Android Auto are still wired connections – no wireless option yet – and the dreaded touchpad controller carries over.
This is still one of the more frustrating systems to use. At least the LFA-inspired moving instrument cluster also carries over from the previous model, joined by an 8.0-inch digital screen. The neat feature offers simple readouts for things like entertainment, fuel economy, navigation, and more, all accessible at the touch of a steering-wheel-mounted button.
Safer Than Ever
Standard on the 2021 Lexus IS is the brand's latest Safety System Plus 2.5, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, high-beam assist, road-sign assist, and an advanced adaptive cruise control system, a first for the IS. And the adaptive cruise system control works very well.
The lane-centering tech is a touch aggressive but keeps the IS centered with little ping-ponging, even navigating its way around more aggressive curves in the road, while distance indicator offers smooth throttle inputs and braking all the way down to zero. It's still not as good as, say, in the BMW 3 Series – it struggles to read the lane on occasion – but finally the IS offers similar tech to what you get in the competition.
If Looks Could Sell
At the end of the day, looks alone will probably sell plenty of people on the 2021 Lexus IS. That's understandable, as this is one of the most stylish options in the entire class. But apart from an improved exterior and more active safety equipment, the new Lexus IS just isn't better than the alternatives elsewhere. It needs more power and better handling – even with the Dynamic Handling option – and the technology (specifically the dreaded touchpad) still leaves something to be desired.
At least for 2021, Lexus prices the IS at an affordable $39,900 to start. But a near-fully loaded IS 350 F Sport with all-wheel drive like the one we tested will set you back pretty significantly; our car costs $55,220 after tossing in options like premium paint ($595), a power moonroof ($1,100), triple-beam headlights ($1,250), navigation ($2,750), and a few others. That's still a pricey proposition for a luxury sedan that feels like too much of the same.
2021 Lexus IS 350 RWD F Sport First Drive: How New Is New?
Compact sport sedan receives more than just a coat of lipstick.
When we reviewed the 202o Lexus IS just a few months ago, we lamented how far it has fallen behind the curve. Rivals offered a superior drive experience and more modern interiors compared to the tech-deficient Lexus. Finally, for the new model year, the 2021 Lexus IS receives a thorough update, though not a complete redesign. Are the changes enough to help the compact sport sedan catch up to its competition?
By targeting young, performance-minded buyers, Lexus is putting a heavy emphasis on the F Sport line. Almost half of its IS cars will be F Sports, Lexus anticipates. Previously, the F Sport was available on the lower-output IS 300, but for 2021, it can only be had on the top-tuned IS 350, rated at 311 hp. In fact, all 2021 IS 350 models will bear the F Sport moniker. The 350 has always been the gem of the lineup, as the four-cylinder felt underpowered, and the detuned 260-hp V-6 didn't offer the best bang for your buck.
Before hopping behind the wheel, we could already tell the update is paying dividends. Although it's only a little more than an inch longer and wider than before, the 2021 Lexus IS has more pleasing proportions. A long hood progresses seamlessly into a sleek rear deck with newly connected taillights. Up front, the bigger grille makes the IS look lower and more planted to the ground. The headlights and daytime running lights are now integrated into one unit for a more cohesive look.
But something made us uneasy: The 2021 IS sedan is underpinned by a platform that dates back to 2013. Should we expect a wobbly ride similar to what we encountered when we drove the outgoing 2020 model? Although it utilizes the same basic architecture as before, the updated IS promises big changes under the sheet metal. First, Lexus stiffened the chassis in an effort to reduce vibration. It also enhanced the suspension with lighter coil springs, control arms, and anti-roll bars. New swing-valve shock absorbers add a second valve to maintain ride comfort over small road imperfections. In order to get the adaptive variable suspension, you now must opt for the Dynamic Handling Package, which brings other performance goodies such as new 19-inch matte black wheels, a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, and Sport S, Sport S+, and Custom drive settings. A Torsen limited slip differential is also part of the package.
The hard work paid off. We noticed an improvement in ride quality on our 2021 IS F Sport tester with the Dynamic Handling Package compared to the old IS. Although the suspension remains firm and you can still feel grooves in the pavement, it is controlled and no longer bounces over big bumps in the road. The suspension kneads out imperfections large and small, so drivers aren't jostled around. Even at high speeds, and in the sportiest suspension setting, the ride is stable and composed. But some wind noise had us turning up the radio a little getting on to the highway. Living up to its name, the Dynamic Handling Package delivers sharp steering, requiring few corrections at the wheel. Eco mode provides a light steering feel, while Sport S+ mode is considerably tighter.
The engine in the IS 350 is a carryover, but we're not complaining. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine pumps out 311 hp and 280 lb-ft, providing strong acceleration for all the driving situations we encountered. It doesn't immediately leap off the line, but it gains power quickly as you accelerate. The full, evocative engine note matches the car's sporty intentions.
Open the doors, and the interior should look very familiar if you've spent time in the previous IS. For better or worse, the center stack layout is largely the same, sparing no room for helpful storage cubbies. A few vestiges remain: a CD player and an old-school clock face. That said, the interior has improved greatly thanks to finer materials and a healthy dose of modern technology. Unlike the previous screen, the larger 10.3-inch unit on our tester allows touch controls and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drivers can also control the infotainment screen with a new touchpad that's slightly easier to use than the unruly mouse-like controller from the previous IS. Our advice: Just stick to the trusty touchscreen because it's easy enough to reach from the driver seat.
Eagle-eyed observers will notice a few other small but important changes. Lexus spruced up the temperature haptic controls, making them bigger and more touch-friendly. Circular vents on either side of the cabin harken back to the original IS.
Our model came with perforated and bolstered faux leather seats that are plush to the touch, featuring heating and ventilation up front. Ash wood trim on the steering wheel and subtle metallic accents throughout the cabin add to the elegant feel. Other goodies include a vivid 8-inch instrument cluster display and a crisp 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. Drivers will also find it easy to see out the cabin, with a low-set windshield and side windows.
Once again, though, buyers looking for spacious quarters will be disappointed. Key rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Genesis G70 offer more legroom. At 10.8 cubic feet, the trunk is also small compared to some rivals. But that's not why you're buying a sport sedan, is it?
The Lexus IS 350 F Sport is actually cheaper than before. Prices start at $43,925, making it $2,475 less expensive than last year. AWD versions start at $45,925 or $1,810 less than before. Keep in mind that previous F Sport models came standard with adaptive variable suspension, which is now optional with the new Dynamic Handling Package that costs $3,800 on RWD models and $4,200 on AWD cars. Still, the IS F Sport is a cheaper alternative to the 2021 BMW M340i ($55,695) and the Audi S4 ($50,945), though both have a bit more power.
Some other luxury compact sedans might be more refined and engaging to drive, but the Lexus IS can now stand proudly with its competition. Key improvements in ride quality, technology, and interior comfort are enough to keep it worthy of buyers' considerations.
Kinda disingenuous when they say the M340 has a "bit" more power . There is a chasm of a performance difference between a flat 4s car and a car that does 5.6 to 60. The handling / ride compromise sounds really good though but the IS350 has always been class leading in that department. I think the G70 does present a really good competition to the IS350...lets see if the IS350 will outsell it.
Kinda disingenuous when they say the M340 has a "bit" more power . There is a chasm of a performance difference between a flat 4s car and a car that does 5.6 to 60. The handling / ride compromise sounds really good though but the IS350 has always been class leading in that department. I think the G70 does present a really good competition to the IS350...lets see if the IS350 will outsell it.
I chuckled a bit at that comment too. The IS would be perfect with another 50-70 horses under the hood to match much of the competition. The chassis can certainly handle it.
Isn't the price point of the IS350 F-Sport more in line with the 330i Msport? In that case, seems like a much more compelling case than the 4 banger 3 series or C class. From the reviews Msport ruins the ride and liveability of the 330i. And of course, there's no getting away from physics and turbo lag.
For 10K more in the US, (price difference is even more ridiculous in Singapore, think 40K), you'd better hope that the M340i is significantly faster than the IS350.
Isn't the price point of the IS350 F-Sport more in line with the 330i Msport? In that case, seems like a much more compelling case than the 4 banger 3 series or C class. From the reviews Msport ruins the ride and liveability of the 330i. And of course, there's no getting away from physics and turbo lag.
For 10K more in the US, (price difference is even more ridiculous in Singapore, think 40K), you'd better hope that the M340i is significantly faster than the IS350.
Thats a fair point...i don't know why they keep comparing the IS350 to the M340. Different class of car. I'd take the IS350 over the 330 as they are about the same speed but the handling will probably go to the IS350 (not to mention reliability, quality). The BMW though gets much better lease rates and I bet is much cheaper to lease.
Historically, the IS normally debuts with around 55k units/year USA in its first full year - taking 3rd place in sales race behind 3 Series & C Class, but usefully outselling the pants off the A4.
However, with only a major facelift after 7 years, the 3.5IS will most probably sell at 4th place, and in any case, TMC will probably only expect it to outsell the Genesis G70 & Jaguar XE anyway.
Historically, the IS normally debuts with around 55k units/year USA in its first full year - taking 3rd place in sales race behind 3 Series & C Class, but usefully outselling the pants off the A4.
However, with only a major facelift after 7 years, the 3.5IS will most probably sell at 4th place, and in any case, TMC will probably only expect it to outsell the Genesis G70 & Jaguar XE anyway.
How many times can you tweak the same engine? Lexus: yes
I guess like Natnut & Ezz say, the IS350 3.5 V6 atmos is an atmospheric, spool-free, yet reliable alternative to the 2.0 Turbos, and at similar prices.
I guess like Natnut & Ezz say, the IS350 3.5 V6 atmos is an atmospheric, spool-free, yet reliable alternative to the 2.0 Turbos, and at similar prices.
But its much less fuel efficient than the 4cyl turbo in 330i and Slower.
What has hurt this old platform is the weight it carries due to its age. Almost 4,000lbs for a sport sedan that has such little space inside is unacceptable.
Lexus is again shooting itself in the foot. They roll out this half baked IS then sales will be lackluster and then it will be discontinued. Of course they will say “well see sport sedans/coupes” don’t sell.....
They need to bring a top dog to the fight. Most powerful, most luxurious and best styling at the least price - that is the only way they can take some market share back from Germans, Tesla and now even Genesis.
Kinda disingenuous when they say the M340 has a "bit" more power . There is a chasm of a performance difference between a flat 4s car and a car that does 5.6 to 60. The handling / ride compromise sounds really good though but the IS350 has always been class leading in that department. I think the G70 does present a really good competition to the IS350...lets see if the IS350 will outsell it.
So according to MT, the structure of the outgoing car felt wobbly. If the GS that I had was any indication, they are correct. It lacks torsional rigidity and NVH was not as refined as it should be. I wonder how much more glue Lexus added to the revised IS to make it less wobbly.
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport First Test: The IS Finally Gets Its Game Back
This is the Lexus IS for people who don’t like the Lexus IS.
LOS ANGELES—We lost enthusiasm for the Lexus IS back around 2006, the year Lexus replaced the awesome first-gen BMW 3-Series-beater with a waterbed. With the notable and necessary exception of the IS-F, I personally haven't thought much about (or of) the IS for the better part of 15 years. But when editor-in-chief Morrison asked if I wanted to drive the updated 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport, something piqued my interest, and it wasn't just the cool full-width taillight.
Changes to the 2021 Lexus IS technically constitute a mid-cycle refresh—a surprise, as we hoped Lexus would upgrade the car to Toyota's New Global Architecture platform—but Toyota, Lexus' parent company, still says it is serious about getting the IS back on its game. It went so far as to build a new test track in Shimoyama, Japan, sort of a Tokyo Disney version of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and the new IS was one of the first cars honed there.
So, has Lexus finally given us an IS worthy once again of enthusiast drivers' attention?
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: Feels Like a Proper Lexus
I'd love to tell you I made a beeline for SoCal's curvy canyon roads, but that'd be a lie. The afternoon the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport arrived in my hands, I had a prior engagement: Dinner at a ridiculously expensive Beverly Hills restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday. Cruising through Coldwater Canyon, where BMWs play the part reserved for Chevrolets in the rest of the country, the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport just felt right. It looked right, too, thanks in no small part to its Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint job. The new IS projects the same image as the first-gen car, and I could envision myself expounding to my fellow phoneys over a chai latte: "Well, Biff, I looked at the 3-Series variants, but everyone's got one, chortle-chortle. So I got the Lexus instead. It really is … (dramatically slow coffee sip) ... the Japanese BMW." Welcome to Los Angeles, where image is 9/10ths of the law.
I spent the next morning in the curvy-curves, where I was pleased to find the promise of the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport's racy styling fulfilled. I had my doubts: On the freeway ride west, the IS 350 was unfailingly Lexus-like, quiet as a cabin in the mountains and surprisingly comfortable. I can't call the ride firm, nor can I call it soft; truth be told it's a bit of both. The IS jitters just enough over imperfections to let you know it's alive, but it magics the big bumps into a gentle float.
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: It Also Feels Like a Proper Sports Sedan
Turning off the highway and into the canyons, I switched the drive-mode selector to Sport and then to Sport Plus. This extra-double-secret mode is reserved for F Sport models with the Dynamic Handling Package, which comprises Lexus' Active Variable Suspension, lightweight wheels, and a carbon-fiber trunk spoiler. The ride and the steering instantly became noticeably firmer, but there was still some wallow and float over the big bumps. I thought this would be a problem, but I was wrong: Push the car hard into corners, get a little weight transferred to the outside, and the IS firms up, hunkers down, and hangs on, clinging tightly to the pavement and resisting centrifugal force. Straighten up and it softens up. That's AVS at work, and it's a rather nifty bit of chassis engineering.
If I was writing this as a movie script, I'd have myself nodding knowingly as I threw the IS into the curves. In reality, I just had a stupid grin. Sure, there's room for improvement: I'd like it if the dampers were a little firmer on the straightaways when you activate Sport Plus mode—that float seems to do no significant harm to handling, but it can impart a little sea-sickness to the weak-of-tummy. I'd like the transmission to be more aggressive about downshifting in Sport mode—I had to use the shift paddles to keep the revs up, something I almost never have to do in, say, an Audi. The 311-horsepower V-6, a carryover from last year, is more than powerful enough but won't blow your socks off. All of the car's edges could be sharper—perhaps Lexus is leaving something on the table for a more powerful and athletic model in the future? I hope so—I still miss the IS-F.
But those are nits I'm picking, and the broad strokes are there. The most important thing is, here in the canyons just as in Beverly Hills, the new 2021 Lexus IS felt right. It's happy in the curves. It belongs there. It wants to be there. And that's something we haven't said about the IS in many, many years.
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: Lots to Like
If you're in a particular rush to go do something else, you're free to leave, as the rest of my review is pretty much a recitation of the things I liked here. There are a lot.
I like the new styling, especially in F Sport guise, and it drew compliments from friends and neighbors as well. The IS has always been prone to a little visual excess, and on the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport it (finally) works well. I like the steering wheel, which is covered in leather and black wood that blend together to make something that is lovely both to hold and behold. (Bummer, though, that my tester didn't have the sharp red-and-black interior. ) I love the Mark Levinson stereo—I'm no audiophile, but it sounded great to me.
I love the gauge panel, a big, round tachometer with a digital speedometer in the center. Press a steering-wheel button and it motors over to the right to make room for a larger trip-computer display. It's a totally useless and majestically nifty trick, and I wish more luxury manufacturers would pour engineering and manufacturing dollars into such frivolities, if only just for the fun of it. "See that, Biff? This is what I paid for. Can your BMW do that?"
I love the size of the IS: Small and tidy, but not cramped, and with plenty of backseat and trunk space. I like the touch-screen display, a 10.3-inch widescreen piece on cars with navigation or the Mark Levinson stereo, because it means you needn't use that awful touch-pad controller on the center console. I found this ongoing Lexus interface debacle much less irritating than the one on our Four Seasons LS500. (Though I will admit to being baffled that a car redesigned for the 2021 model year still has a CD player. What, no tape deck?) And I know it's the 21st century and we expect these things, but having recently written severalarticlesaboutawful1970sand'80scars, I really do appreciate the IS' hewn-from-marble build quality.
So, good news all around: I can stop ignoring the Lexus IS, and if you've been holding onto the same disdain for it as I did, you can stop ignoring it as well. If you're one of those people who like the IS already, well, you too are in luck, because it's obvious from the way this car goes down the road that if you strip away all the go-faster F Sport stuff, we're left with lots of other likable traits: Comfort, dignity, and impeccable build quality. (Also an optional four-cylinder powertrain and all-wheel-drive.) Congratulations, Lexus: It's great to see the IS back again.
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Highlights
Updated styling on a reinforced body shell
New display screen positioned closer to the driver
Models: 4-cylinder IS 300 RWD; V-6 IS 300 AWD; V-6 IS 350 RWD/AWD
F-Sport model now limited to IS350
Powertrains continue from last year
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Pros
Great blend of comfortable ride and aggressive handling
New styling looks aggressive without being silly
Trim in size with plenty of interior space
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Cons
Transmission still a little slow to respond in Sport mode
. There is a chasm of a performance difference between a flat 4s car and a car that does 5.6 to 60. The handling / ride compromise sounds really good though but the IS350 has always been class leading in that department. I think the G70 does present a really good competition to the IS350...lets see if the IS350 will outsell it.
