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Don't even like the colors they offer either. They dropped my Atomic Silver and theres nothing close to it.
The atomic silver was gone before the 2026 MY.
I saw one in person and I love it - I think it looks more modern (Interior) and the exterior is almost identical except the front grill which IMO, people are blowing things out of proportion. I mean all car companies copy design features and they all look similar now. Whether it's the floating roof design, the whole rear or front light bar, the spelling of the brand on the trunk lid etc. To me, there is NO WAY that someone can mistake the 2026 for anything other than an IS! As far as the lettering on the trunk, I am pretty sure these are simply stuck on and could easily be removed and a conventional Lexus logo could be put on.
The average person could confuse it with a Camry now.
You said it, only an average person who don't know anything about cars would mistake a RWD V6 car for a 4 cylinder FWD car - TBH, why would anyone worry what someone who knows nothing about cars think about what you drive. I drive an IS 500 and I am sure 99% of people think I am driving an IS 350 or a Camry - Doesn't prevent me from enjoying my car
Moderators - My apologies for not using the multiple quotes and keep my messages in a single response.
I just saw one the other day and was shocked. As a huge fan of the previous design, the new one was a bit disappointing.
Sorry but "a bit" was an understatement......Horrendous more accurate? but of course it's all objective... Maybe in years to come when the car has been discontinued... this may be the popular one! Who knows?
My 2024 IS 350 is in for some annual service. Dealer has a few 2026 IS 350’s, so getting a in-person look. I’ll start with the exterior and the obvious much discussed change. The new grill design does give it a bit more of an aerodynamic look. If I was in the market for a new car, I’d be good with the new design. However, comparing to pre 2026 design, the previous design is still the winner in my view. Other than the blacked out trim, which looks great, other exterior changes are not overly noticeable. Of course the auto folding rear view mirrors are a big plus.
As for the interior. Placement of the display screen is much better in the 2026. Does give the dash a more streamlined look. The negative, it still has a great deal of manual switches and buttons. I was surprised at the number. To bad Lexus didn’t take to opportunity to really move these to a screen display format. Again, not a deal breaker, just an observation. I would miss the in dash clock, track pad and most of all, the CD player. I have an extensive CD collection.
Bottom line. So would I buy a 2026 IS 350 over comparable models? Most definitely! It is still a fantastic looking and performing car. Would I trade up from my 2024 at this time, definitely not.
^^ Good observations - I will however, respectfully disagree with you on one thing! Burying a bunch of functions in a screen with menus and sub-menus is an atrocity and some car companies are going back to regular ***** and toggle which I am grateful.
^^ Good observations - I will however, respectfully disagree with you on one thing! Burying a bunch of functions in a screen with menus and sub-menus is an atrocity and some car companies are going back to regular ***** and toggle which I am grateful.
Respectfully noted. Your point is well taken and perhaps a harbinger of things to come. In part, I was comparing to the newer RX and NX models where Lexus has moved many functions to the display. It does look futuristic.
^^ I agree, it is more futuristic - I appreciate that you were not upset with my disagreeing on teh buttons. I look at the Tesla's where the interior is so Blahhhhh - I am glad Lexus is not going too far on the screen technology. I am older so maybe that is partly why I feel that way but I much prefer the physical buttons
Will be the first to say I prefer physical buttons over having to dig into a screen and be distracted. More and more manufacturers are switching back to physical buttons due to popular demand. It's simply faster and much safer.
