Just saw the new '26 IS350 redesign. Gotta say, imo, no thanks!! Hate what they've done to the front end. Looks like a Camry now. Rear is the same except for logo replaced with LEXUS spelled out and a slightly different trunk spoiler. Big changes are the interior. Like a lot of that except they took away the center dash clock. Overall, no thanks. They took the best thing, the front end aggressive style, away. What are your thoughts?

 

Not going to lie, I just bought a brand new 2025 IS350 with the same thought but that new interior looks great and the front end doesn't look so bad. Kind of regretting I didn't wait a few months but it's all good.

 

I personally think you made the right choice.

 

Whenever I'm forced to move on from my current car, the next will be a 21-25 refresh.

The front end is a big turnoff, it would be tolerable with the logo middle of the grill to break it up, but as it is, not a fan. I'm indifferent to the interior changes, mostly because the analog clock is gone, lol.

 

Don't even like the colors they offer either. They dropped my Atomic Silver and theres nothing close to it.

 

Atomic Silver was dropped two years ago. Wind is the new "dirty" color.

 

I think the front design may grow on people - I give it a 7/10. The interior design is spot-on. Also the interior has some nice textures and touches. The rear spoiler looks good but for me it changes the overall rear look of the IS a bit. Still a lovely car! It's most likely the last IS.

 

For me, the current IS overall is a more stunningly beautiful car. The color and front end is what first attracted me to it. Then the sweeping back tail lights are unique as well. The big L logo on the front let's you know what it is where the new front end doesn't. The average person could confuse it with a Camry now. The new interior, minus the missing clock, looks fresh and more modern. I also am not a fan of the wheel options. Maybe it'll look better in person

 

Ha they have been saying that ever year, this car won’t die just keeps getting refreshed.

 

For me the interior matters more than the exterior as long as its not a drastic exterior redesign. In this case its not. The front doesnt bother me as I wasnt a huge fan of the previous large grill either. The interior is an upgrade for me, better button placement and now a place for the phone instead of that Mark Levinson plastic cover. I wish the cupholders location could have been moved or redesigned but I dont know where else you could put the two cupholders. AC vents are interesting but end of the day as long as it keeps me cool or warm thats all that matters. Best of all they kept the V6 and it isnt a 4 cylinder hybrid turbo that I thought it would be.

 

wake me up when they put a B58 in the IS.. lol

 

My local dealer says they have one in stock. $5000 above sticker for market adjustment. Ridiculous, but they've done that with just about all new vehicle. Today's Lexus market is so different from the one ten years ago. Never enough to go around and dealers try taking advantage.

 

Have yet to see the new design in person. So will hold my final thoughts and judgement until that time. I will say that when I was in the market for a new car in 2024, it was the front end of the IS 350 that won the day. When I stood in front of the car, it was simply, oh yeah, that’s the one! Additionally, I’m good with the pre 26 interior. I like the track pad, CD player and in dash clock. All of which I believe are no longer in the 26. Stay tuned.

 

Market adjustment is ridiculous. I have a dealer that I bought three cars from that put that out there last time I called. I told him if you are going to hold to that it will be the last time you sell a car to me. He said new ownership and new GM wont budge. Told him if they ask why their numbers are down you have my 2 cents.

 

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.