Test drove IS 500 today...
 

... could use a bit of community support.

Overall, I found IS 500 to be exactly what I was expecting all around (mostly). Driving experience was again... as expected. It felt smaller than it should handling wise. Engine responsiveness, power, exhaust note were all excellent. Steering was responsive and precise, but not much better than lets say a Mk7 GTI. I was a bit leery of the automatic transmission, but it performed well enough. Not as good as you would expect a modern dual clutch gearbox to do, but it was not bad at all. Seats were supportive and comfortable.

What got me was the interior layout, dashboard and infotainment. Again, no surprises as I knew all that going in (except for seats not being leather... not sure how I missed that). Still, if I were to limit my description of the interior to just one word, it would be "underwhelming". I like the gauge cluster despite limited ability to display items that don't normally live in the gauge cluster. Everything else feels very last gen and well below what one would expect in this price range. One thing I failed to test was the apple carplay functionality. That alone is a big deal for me. In fact, I'm not even sure if its wireless at this stage.

Not the mixed the impressions I was hoping for. Very conflicted at this point.

Ya, unfortunately the prevailing alternative to the last gen interior seems to be LCD screens everywhere. Nothing less I want to do after staring at a computer screen all day than trying to sneak a fun drive home still staring at even more.

The IS500 sneakily uses screens, but in an old school way while keeping plenty of physical buttons rather than burying daily used features deep in menus. Do wish the infotainment was the new Toyota/Lexus one but oh well, most of us would still just be using CarPlay anyway (which isn’t wireless but can easily be made so with a $60 usb dongle off Amazon).

CarPlay is not wireless :( An adjustment for sure but you get used to it. Without wireless charging though, you kinda need to be plugged in anyways.

I encourage you to take multiple test drives over a period of time. My first spin was also underwhelming and had me like “sooo it’s my IS 350 only faster.” I too a couple more test drives and eventually “felt” the difference and the difference is real.

I am also struggling with the decision, but only because I want an IS 500 that is bringing a premium right now :)

Best of luck to you!!

No real man gives a hoot about interior technology when they’re staring down 8 cylinders.

Funny thing about this sentiment. I thought exactly that, just logically, and one day I test drove a TLX Type-S which has lots more bells and whistles … even a sunglass holder (!!!) And I left the TLX Type-S saying “Yep, more tech and a lot less $$$ … but, meh.” The feeling I had after driving the more techie car was underwhelming after only several months with an IS. Then all I could think about was how I missed my IS 350.

I would prefer to see as little of Lexus native interface as possible. Wireless carplay would at least launch right into it. Good point about an aftermarket bluetooth dongle. I didn't think of that. Not a huge deal either way of course. At least it has native carplay and a touch screen unlike GS-F.

I hear you though and not really looking for a tech heavy interior. A bit more up to date interior design would be nice like a current gen C-Class minus wall to wall screens. Something like this but with more physical buttons.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...92b85a2096.jpg

I really do want to love it and it has a lot to love!

Still very hard to find though if I want to test drive again. Had to drive 1.5 hours one way just to see one in person and drive it. I'm sure if I get one, I will enjoy the hell out of it. This would be a car I would never expect to sell. Can't say that about any other car on my list. Plus, none of them have a V8. That alone could be worth it. As it truly feels like the last charge of the big NA engine.

That being the case, I just wish it had a nicer interior.

That is a huge gold star for IS500. Plus, the fact that no one else seems to have one anymore (not anything I would want to buy anyway).

Yeah I’ve experienced it in my test drives and can attest that it definitely makes a difference. I too had to travel 1.5 hrs. to test drive a used one, and then over the next few months my local had a couple and then I came across one while on vacation :D

Out of curiosity, what color or colors are you aiming for?

Looking for lighter colors. White, silver, gray with black interior. Seem to be running into mostly black ones with red interior. That is when I can actually find one within decent driving range.

I'd actually prefer analog gauges for RPM and Speed with some dynamic LCD bits for everything else. Glad there's oil and water temperature for example. but a bigger entertainment console wouldn't of been so bad. The Girlfriend is test driving NX and even their base entertainment cluster screen is very nice and twice as big as the IS500.

I understand exactly what you mean about the interior. Feels the same since 2014 with the exception of the touch screen moved forward and updated gauge graphics. The radio outside of using CarPlay is so oooooooooooooold it’s almost funny to look at. But the CarPlay is very good in this car. It really is.

I agree the interior is lacking. Compared to my fiancés TLX Type S which just seems more modern all around the IS leaves a lot to be desired. But the engine in the 500 is what sold me. These cars just don’t die.

But you forgot to mention the awful panel gaps all over the car. Cross shopped with a Type S and I didn't pull the plug because every one I went to see looked like it was built by a blind man.

FWIW, I would never even see the native infotainment interface if it wasn't for the fact that I listen to the radio on my commute. If I plug in my phone before starting the car or during the infotainment boot sequence, it launches directly into Android Auto.

The interior styling is definitely not attractive... but it turns out I don't care. :-) It's pretty dang functional (physical, actual buttons for basically everything) and the materials are "nice enough". The red and white interiors both add some welcome spice to offset the dated and unattractive center stack.

The engine is truly unique and is the one and only reason I considered, and eventually purchased, this car. If you're not in love with the engine, there is plenty of excellent competition out there for the IS350. But the only V8 competitor is the C63, which is a fantastic car, but it's also out of production, turbocharged, and more expensive. Those factors combined were enough to seal the deal for me.

Same. Not a huge fan of a screen replacing gauge cluster completely like in the new NX. Actually shopping for new NX for my wife to replace her ancient RX 350 that she doesn't want to give up. Even the basic version has the new infotainment setup with 10" touchscreen. Premium comes with a 14" touchscreen that makes IS 500 setup look way more outdated than it needs to be. Very few physical buttons though. Not super happy about that, but everyone seems to go in that direction now.