5 Hot Changes in the Redesigned 2017 Lexus IS
By Bassem Girgis

 

Standard variable suspension on the is300 f Sport. Made me wish I waited!! And all the standard safety stuff for 800$ more msrp. Pretty decent value!

 

I agree with everything except for the rear. New tailpipes are nice but the lines aren't as nice imo

 

The IS300 doesn't come with AVS (adjustable variable suspension). It comes standard with the sport suspension. If you look on the website, the variable suspension is for the IS350 only (its in the details of the IS300 with that disclaimer...Lexus website is a hot mess).

 

Looks like in Australia we get different headlights. Not a fan of the new taillights either.

The new infotainment would make a huge difference for daily use.

 

Am I the only one who likes the old tailpipes better?
Also, what's the "new **** controller" that was mentioned? I thought it still used the same old Remote Touch?

 

The remote touch has been updated. See pic.

 

Oh, yeah it has more buttons and a new armrest padding. Sorry, the use of the word "****" threw me off - I always thought of it as more of a "mouse".

 

The tailpipes on my 2015 IS350 F-Sport was a big selling point for me. The new design looks far too much like an old Hyundai Genesis from 2012 that I had as a company car daily driver.

 

Saw a 2017 today and was not a fan of how the new tail lights look when braking. 14-16 much better in my opinion

 

i like the rear of the '17s but the front of the '16s better.

 

^
Same, i was riding next to one yesterday...really like that rear diffuser..ours lower rear with that black plastic looks cheap and sloppy, never liked it (Lexus should have debut the car this way)

 

I like the larger screen and the refresh front and back, but like most of you prefer the 14-16 taillights.

As for the RTI "mouse", it looks more upscale in the '17 but is clunky to use. Wish it were like the RTI touchpad in my NX or RCF which is much easier/more precise to use and navigate with.

 

To me, I find the the front of 17' face-lifted model looks better for the regular version but you lose the foglight.

For F-Sport version, both the original and the 17' face-lifted ones look fine to me.

Agree that the rear still looks a bit odd, especially the triangular exhaust covers are not integrated too well with the actual exhaust tip. It is more an after-thought. The change is to do match with other elements on the rear for the face-lifted model.

Interior wise- face-lifted one is more refined. The cost-cutting measure to compensate the budget is that door handles are no longer made of metal.

Biggest disappointment is the premium full LED headlights are not available in North America which makes the update less impactful..

 

Noticed that too, the brake lights on the pre-refresh are more unique.