https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/20240129/2024-lexus-is-500-review/

 

"The IS 500 is a sporty sedan, but it isn’t a track-ready weapon meant for setting blistering lap times. Its suspension is on the firm side, but it’s nowhere near as stiff as some of the European offerings."

Again, I am convinced much of the criticism regarding the suspension is from lack of understanding Lexus' intent for the IS 500: It is not a track vehicle, but designed to be a comfortable riding, daily driving sedan with very good handling and power. Once that is understood, more reviewers will likely appreciate it.

 

Most of its competitors aren't track day cars either.

 

The way journalism works, and especially how trade journalism works is, after a certain number of stories on a topic, particularly one that's no longer breaking news, you just take the words someone wrote ahead of you and put your own, personal touch to them. With fewer and fewer writers sitting at desks with actual, paying jobs these days, and deadlines just as deadline-y as ever (if not more so), at some point you work out the algebra equation that results in the solution that trying to push the rock uphill just isn't worth it. Lazy? Absolutely, 100%. Expected? Absolutely, 100%.

 

^^ And trust me, its not just with auto reviews! But you nailed it

 

So generic. I say replace all car reviewers with AI.

 

^^ That is a bit insulting to AI TBH - why replace NI with AI? (lol)

 

Intellectual laziness at its finest.

 

It feels like everything that could have been said about the IS 500 has been said before, in terms of typical journalist reviews, anyway. Ownership and long-term reviews are a bit lacking for this car.

 

I have this many time, the 500 is a 350 RWD with a more powerful engine....something many of us 350 owners were craving! That is why it is not an F car.

People.that get this car expecting it to be anything else will be underwhelmed. To me, the growl of the V8 and the fact that RWD were not available in Canada makes this car totally worth it for me...it checked the boxes that my previous 350' couldnt (including my RC)

 

I think the reviewer did get it as his review left me with the impression (if I did not know anything about it) that the IS500 is a modest luxury sports sedan with a great V8 engine that won't beat you up as a daily driver but still fun to drive, and as a Lexus just fill it with gas, premium of course and drive it a couple hundred thousand miles!

 

Very true. If I sit back and actually look at what he said in summary, it's not wrong, that's for sure. This is not an M3 fighter nor is it even really trying to be an RC F alternative either. It can be a bit soft. If you don't mind that, this car will do ya just fine.