I think my 2014 IS250 F Sport AWD is going to be staying with me a while longer.
While I do like the exterior styling of the 2021, and the larger infotainment screen, chances are in Canada we won't be getting the RWD F Sport, so basically for me there isn't enough in the new car to warrant a change.
If there was a larger powerplant in year 2 of the refresh and RWD, then that would warrant some serious consideration.
If not, then I'd rather look for a use GSF...more interior space, more power, and RWD (more fun)...and with depreciation, likely it would come in around the same price as a 2021 IS350.
True it won't be as modern inside, but once I have a BT audio and AC, I'm pretty much good to go.

 

I get that having much more power isn’t the be all for everyone, but how can you compete in a segment when you do absolutely nothing in the realm of innovation and advancement. In what world does a company compete using the same technology for 15+ years. I have the I4 Turbo so clearly I don’t care about power that much (also came from a G37S that had 330 HP at the crank stock). It’s not necessarily about a bunch more power, it’s about doing something new and at least legitimately improving the powertrain. Everyone here can say whatever they want, but the glaring fact is that Lexus is doing nothing to appeal to more people in this segment. If most of us on here are much happier with keeping our pre-2021 3IS over this refresh, then that says a lot. I guess my main point is that I’m disappointed with Lexus because I want them to succeed and I want the IS to be competitive. I love Toyota/Lexus.

 

^^ As long as there is an IS350 F Sport available in Canada, even if it's AWD, I wouldn't mind it as it has served me well with my 2015 and 2017 model....I agree that having an IS350 RWD would be amazing but we already know how Lexus Canada uses logic in these decision, a 4 banger AWD in Canada makes more sense right?!?! I would rather have them ELIMINATE the 4 cylinder RWD in Canada and make the 350 available in BOTH RWD and AWD, keeping the number of available products the same, but that would be TOO logical right

 

I completely agree. I even said that this car will likely be scrapped completely in a few years. I said that a couple weeks ago and most if not everyone disagreed. Does this look like company invested in the IS.....there are other plans for the future of Lexus and I don't see it including the IS.

 

I think having the V6 is great but i think most wanted an option to have 400hp with another engine variant. The V6 is a nice little engine but its more in-line with the base engine from competitors and thats the rub. It really lacks low-end torque but feels strong up top when driving it hard. I had the IS350 for about 5 years and the only thing I thought it really needed was about 50 horsepower and more low-end torque...and memory seats on the F-sport A small supercharger or turbo would have really fixed it up but i suspect the fuel penalty wasn't something Lexus was willing to deal with...its already pretty terrible from an mpg perspective. I could barely get 18mpg from the car.

The real winners of this are the current owners as I feel they have no reason to upgrade.

 

I was one of those people that wanted more power, and expected it tbh. It's why I said I wouldn't upgrade from 2018 once this news was revealed. I want more power like everyone else, but it's not the most important thing to me. For a lot of people it is though...

I do wonder why they built that track though and made a point of showing it like they did unless something else is coming. I would hope at least

 

^^ I am thinking the same thing...There must be something else coming down the pipe or they built for the FMC with the new Mazda Plateforme? Time will tell....

 

Maybe the LC-F?

 

Well they did say they built it specifically for the IS so I'm thinking of an ISF announcement sometime. Otherwise, I'm not sure why they bothered building a track for an IS350

 

I agree that something must be coming or why would they build such a track. My mistake was I test drove other cars and really felt the car was lacking in the power department. The handling is nice on the car but competitors have definitely caught up and offer comparable feel now. I really appreciated the high quality and dependability of the car though and sold it to relatives because I knew it was built like a tank. I still think the IS is still the best looking car in the segment. I always looked back when walking away from the car

 

 

It's growing on me. If Lexus would've put the LS's TT V6, a new dashboard, a new steering wheel, and updated F Sport seats with extended thigh cushions, this would've been a pretty hot car. a 10 speed transmission wouldn't have hurt either.

As it sits, based on what we know, it's a fairly ho-hum update that's worthy of a lease with a REALLY good deal and nothing more.

So if my guy at Lexus gets me a really attractive lease, I may get one.

The dynamic handling package seems really cool with its light 19s. Reminds me of the CSL package of the E46 with its special light 19s.

Excited to see the result of all the handling and chassis upgrades Lexus claims: lighter springs, stiffened roof, c pillar, and rear structure, aluminum front arms, lighter springs, lighter sway bars. I assume (I hope) it'll adopt the same (or similar) aluminum rear control arms from the RC-F. Maybe it'll get GS-F front brakes too? I mean a lot of this stuff is probably parts bin stuff. Does the RC-F use alum. front upper arms?

I wonder if the new track (width) specs match the RC-F. I'll have to look unless someone else can do it

 

The current TLX V6 is about as quick, just a little slower then a IS350 and offers more room. The new TLX is going to have a V6t with likely over 350hp, 0-60 well under 5 seconds with a highly advanced awd system, where the IS350 is just soldiering on with the same engine it has, that is one reason people are mentioning the new TLX.

 

Lexus' comment about building a multi-million dollar development/test track specifically for the Lexus IS is pure marketing mumbo jumbo and was more of a matter of convenience as the track was completed early last year. It will certainly help to fine tune upcoming and future Lexus models and will help reduce cost for travel to locations such as the Nurburgring but it certainly wasn't built solely for the IS as they claimed.

One key item I noted is that the ISF (or tentatively IS500) is most certainly in the pipeline for this refresh IS model. It is strongly hinted at this "pre-screened" Q&A session. Lexus marketers wouldn't have included this question and coy reply back knowing otherwise (go to the 13:10 minute mark)

 

I couldn't tell if that lady was promoting a toaster oven or a car. She was as milk toast and PC as you can get.

They also asked her what cars they benchmarked and again she gave the broiler plate "we at lexus believe"

shut up lady, just tell us you benchmarked the G20 BMW and the Genesis G70, etc.

Also funny when the guy said "Lexus left no stone unturned.."

except the biggest stones in the room: the engine and transmission.

Yeah i get corporate stuff but they could've done a bit better trying to come off a bit more genuine.

You know these reps are exactly the kind of people that next year will be promoting something entirely different.

The test drivers from japan came off fairly genuine though. you can tell they were passionate about this development, despite their hands being tied budget wise. they did what they could