Merged 2021 IS re-design / refresh threads
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
Originally Posted by LH1
Such a shame they wouldn't stick the V8 in there.
Cloudburst Grey with the white interior and a V8. I'd be at a Lexus dealer tomorrow buying one.
Cloudburst Grey with the white interior and a V8. I'd be at a Lexus dealer tomorrow buying one.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 31
From: FL
Driver
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 85
Likes: 63
From: BC
Some great videos of the new 2021 IS from Japanese Vloggers:
Caviar (Or some iteration of black in Japan):
Ultra Sonic Blue 2.0:
Iridium (This paint is actually stunning in the correct light):
Caviar (Or some iteration of black in Japan):
Ultra Sonic Blue 2.0:
Iridium (This paint is actually stunning in the correct light):
Last edited by IS350USB; Dec 6, 2020 at 04:15 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 14
From: CA
I was ready to upgrade from my 2014 IS but in he end the 2021 IS disappoints -- I love the exterior but at that price point Lexus failed to improve the interior & failed to add convenience items like auto-folding mirrors or HUD -- I already tore off one mirror from my IS and was hoping for at least the auto folding mirrors as an option. So now I have to look at an ES....
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
From: VA
Just picked up our 21 IS 350 AWD F Sport tonight. Atomic Silver, Nav, Sunroof, Panoramic View, Door sill lights. Only 15 miles on it so far, and looking forward to learning more from this forum. We defected from Acura. Had 2012 TSX, and 2015 TLX, 2018 TLX. Drove the new 2021 TLX, and wasn't impressed, especially with the turbo 4 engine. Lots of turbo lag, and feels far weaker than stated numbers.
That said, I'll be glad to answer questions anyone has. Still learning all the features, but will do best I can.
That said, I'll be glad to answer questions anyone has. Still learning all the features, but will do best I can.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 19
From: TN
Hello, I'm new here so bear with me.
can someone explain the difference between the 350 with vs without the dynamic handling package? Are the suspension components different ? What is the real difference between Sport and Sport+? Shift points? Engine tune?
I test drove one *briefly* this evening and I noticed no real change in the handling behavior between the two modes. I do however think the shift points may have been slightly different between Sport and Sport+.. I wonder if that is moot if using the manu-matic mode.
the salesman unfortunately was no help with my technical questions. He didn't even think it had a gear indicator until I fiddled with it a bit and found it. By then he seemed ready to go back to the lot. I wanted more time with the car but only got 5-8 minutes or so.
can someone explain the difference between the 350 with vs without the dynamic handling package? Are the suspension components different ? What is the real difference between Sport and Sport+? Shift points? Engine tune?
I test drove one *briefly* this evening and I noticed no real change in the handling behavior between the two modes. I do however think the shift points may have been slightly different between Sport and Sport+.. I wonder if that is moot if using the manu-matic mode.
the salesman unfortunately was no help with my technical questions. He didn't even think it had a gear indicator until I fiddled with it a bit and found it. By then he seemed ready to go back to the lot. I wanted more time with the car but only got 5-8 minutes or so.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 89
From: Singapore
Sport + is only available in the 2021 with DHP. It indicates that the car has Adaptive Variable Suspension, basically intelligent shocks that can change stiffness according to road conditions and also has two preset modes of stiffness that you can toggle between. No DHP = no Adaptive shocks. Sport is just a throttle mapping function. Sport + is a shock absorbers function.
DHP also get the Torsen LSD but that only comes into play during spirited cornering and burnouts.
DHP also get the Torsen LSD but that only comes into play during spirited cornering and burnouts.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 19
From: TN
Sport + is only available in the 2021 with DHP. It indicates that the car has Adaptive Variable Suspension, basically intelligent shocks that can change stiffness according to road conditions and also has two preset modes of stiffness that you can toggle between. No DHP = no Adaptive shocks. Sport is just a throttle mapping function. Sport + is a shock absorbers function.
DHP also get the Torsen LSD but that only comes into play during spirited cornering and burnouts.
DHP also get the Torsen LSD but that only comes into play during spirited cornering and burnouts.
thanks!
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 89
From: Singapore
I'm not sure about the 2021 IS350 F-Sport but in the 2012-2018 GS350 :
if the GS350 didn't have AVS(no Sport+) :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
if the GS350 had AVS (Luxury and FSport trims) and hence AVS and Sport+ :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = normal steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport + = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, stiffer shocks
Don't know if the 2021 IS350 follows the GS350 in function.
if the GS350 didn't have AVS(no Sport+) :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
if the GS350 had AVS (Luxury and FSport trims) and hence AVS and Sport+ :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = normal steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport + = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, stiffer shocks
Don't know if the 2021 IS350 follows the GS350 in function.
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 48
From: NJ
I'm almost entirely sure that I'll be purchasing a '21 IS350 F Sport RWD as it checks all of the boxes I want. I'm a fan of the N/A engine, even though it's no longer considered "fast", and I like the freshened looks of the exterior with the new head and tail lights. I am ambivalent on the sunroof being optional as I can do without one, but am seriously disappointed that memory seats/mirrors/steering column are no long even optional; that's a major miss. They way I've spec'ed mine - ML audio but no navi, triple beam headlights, intuitive park assist, sunroof (I could leave this off if it came to it), and Infrared paint - it comes to $48,500 which is right at, actually a bit under, what I've budgeted. If Infrared is a pain in the butt to get, I'm good with Cloudburst Gray or Atomic Silver. I'm afraid I'll have to go with the all black interior because the red interior option on the F Sport is way too much red for me. I would love if the red seats but black dash/doors on the IS300 were offered on the 350 F Sport.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 330
Likes: 65
From: TX
Correct, the 2021 IS Lexus Memory System no longer exists, and it is a shame on a 50K car. Makes no sense why it is not available. Power fold mirrors should be standard in ALL models. I don't know what Bob Carter and Jim Lentz are thinking or not thinking here. The absence of the Lexus Memory System could be a deal breaker for some, and a huge disappointment for others who are expected to have this feature from the previous models. Decontenting is now the buzz word or buzz kill for Lexus.
Correct, the 2021 IS Lexus Memory System no longer exists
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 900
From: Midwest
I'm not sure about the 2021 IS350 F-Sport but in the 2012-2018 GS350 :
if the GS350 didn't have AVS(no Sport+) :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
if the GS350 had AVS (Luxury and FSport trims) and hence AVS and Sport+ :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = normal steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport + = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, stiffer shocks
Don't know if the 2021 IS350 follows the GS350 in function.
if the GS350 didn't have AVS(no Sport+) :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
if the GS350 had AVS (Luxury and FSport trims) and hence AVS and Sport+ :
Normal = normal steering, normal throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport = normal steering, sportier throttle, normal shock stiffness
Sport + = stiffer steering, sportier throttle, stiffer shocks
Don't know if the 2021 IS350 follows the GS350 in function.
