I've seen many folks around, not necessarily on ClubLexus, but on other forums like my local Lexus meetup group, chatting about the "4IS". What they mean, if it was not obvious, is the refreshed 2021 IS and subsequent model years leading up to whatever the next generation ends up being. To me, this always struck me as a bit odd, since the "4IS" is really not a fourth-generation IS in my mind. It reuses the same chassis, drivetrain, and interior layout of the 3IS and its mid-cycle refresh from Model Year 2017.

I can see an argument for a 4IS moniker, however, if we look exclusively at the exterior. The design is barely recognizable as a member of the 3IS family, if at all. Everything is different save for the roof.

So, I thought I'd post a poll asking what would be a better way to refer to the IS generations apart from "2014-2016", "2017-2020", and so forth.

My first thought was to borrow inspiration from Porsche land and use a "dot 1" and "dot 2" naming scheme when necessary to specify the exact version of the IS being discussed. For example, a 3.1IS would be the first iteration of the 3rd-gen car, and a 3.2 would be the first mid-cycle refresh, and a 3.3 would be the latest 2021+ models.

I also had considered lumping the first two iterations into one, due to their relative similarity when compared with the .3, and using a more VW-like naming scheme. So, the first two iterations would simply be "3IS" where the latest would be "3.5IS".

There's always the "4IS" idea, though, I suspect it would become obsolete as soon as a newer IS with a new chassis debuts.

What do you guys think?

 

^^ That is a great idea! I feel the 2021+ IS has been more than a MMC even though it shares the same underpinning. I don't think it's worthy of a 4IS so I am voting for the 3.5IS....

 

I voted for 4IS. Usually between refreshes Lexus only changes the taillight lamp and maybe front fascia/spindle grille. In the 2021s case, entirely new body lines were sculpted.

 

Macmaster...you have a point on the significant refresh but usually, the mmc doesnt get a new gen status or a .5 status that is why I felt this could be a .5 where the chassis is the same and even most of the interior layout. I will respect the consensus though

 

3.5. Body is different slightly (different welds, etc) and the size wheels it can fit which are different than the 3IS but everything else is the same except the infotainment and 2 vents

 

Parked ours beside another 3IS this evening for dinner. Amazingly, they were the same exact color combo as our '21. I have to admit, I LOVE the body lines of both! While the '21 is updated and I do like it a tad better, the '20 model still gets my attention! Lexus knocked it out of the park on style in my opinion. I can't think of any better looking sedan on the market. Again, that's my opinion. So I say we call this one the 3.5IS. It's a lil different, but not enough to give the true 4.0 designation.

 

Interesting topic! Technically not a 4IS since it’s still under 3rd Gen in the wiki so I’d go with 3.5IS.

 

i dont even know what mmc stands for, so this is a moot discussion for me. Y'all have an obscure lingo and interpretation. First google search says Murfreesboro Medical Clinic.

 

I Googled it as well and it is Minor Model Change. Ha cha!

 

ok I googled that and got about 10 hits total on the internet and they all apply to Honda’s. I stand correct.

 

It's sort of like BMW with "LCI" for their version of MMC. It means "Life Cycle Impulse". Typical BMW pretentiousness...

Looks like 3.5IS has it so far with 50% of votes. Some are saying it's not worthy of a different name.

I'd look at it this way. If we're talking VW, no one would go so far as to say the Mk7.5 Golf is a new generation. But, it is clear that it had updates - the interior was revised, and the front and rear fascia saw some changes, including the headlights and grille openings. The ".5" is just there to let you know we're talking about the revised version. In VW culture this is done for all models. In Lexus models, this has not typically been done, since such a thorough refresh does not typically happen. Moreover, there's usually only ONE mid-cycle refresh.

But of course, this is why I opened the poll - I wanted to see whether anyone else felt this way and if not, how?

 

Anything but a 4IS. Although it looks brand new, it has the underpinnings of a 8 year old car. And seeing the Instagram handles with 4IS in them makes my eye twitch.

 

Hey - Sorry for the confusion I may have created with my abbreviation, but when I said MMC, I was implying "Mid Model Change" which is what many car companies will do during the life-cycle of a generation, they'll do a few minor change to keep the generation a bit fresher and squeeze a bit of extra life from it. So as you can see from that context, the change for the 2021 IS was more than a few tweaks compared to when they upgraded the exterior style of the IS in 2017 with the new headlights, front bumper and tail lights and shape of exhaust tips. From the side, you would not see any differences at all from a 2015 and 2017, they carried over the same wheels and such and that is why those changes are usually just referred as a refresh but 2021 brought a lot of changes (styling cues, interior, wheels, etc) but the chassis was pretty much the same. In any event, I am not trying to argue that my opinion is correct, I just wanted to shed some light on my choice of acronym and what I meant although I had to google where Murfreesboro Medical Clinic was located (lol)

 

Even though I’ve used 4IS previously, I voted for 3.3IS because to be thorough, you may need to know the difference between the facelifts. It’s not worthy of a 4IS in my opinion. Also the 3.5 may confuse people….maybe they would think it’s the engine.

 

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IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present)

”Case Closed”

Joe Z