The Lexus IS500 Is Almost Perfect: Review

Proudly owning one automotive for the remainder of your life is a pleasant thought in principle—I name it the “Ceaselessly Automotive.” However the actuality is, there most likely is not one single automobile that is so snug, dependable, and enjoyable to drive that you just’d by no means need to substitute it. Particularly lately, with in-cabin tech evolving at a fast tempo and reliability being so flimsy.

However for my cash, the Lexus IS500 F Sport Efficiency comes fairly near a Ceaselessly Automotive. It presents a wonderful mix of luxurious and efficiency, with a brawny naturally aspirated V-8. I may see myself proudly owning this automotive for a very long time and being very pleased with it. That mentioned, it is not excellent.

The V-8 is what makes the IS so particular. Whereas Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have all eschewed the eight-cylinder on this phase for six- and even four-cylinder engines as an alternative, the Lexus IS500 is the one compact luxurious efficiency automotive with a giant ol’ naturally aspirated V-8. And it makes a gorgeous sound.

With 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque despatched to the rear wheels, the IS500 will get to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds and tops out at round 165 mph. It is not essentially the most highly effective automotive within the class, nor the quickest, however Lexus’s 5.0-liter V-8 has extra character than BMW’s inline-six and Mercedes-Benz’s four-cylinder hybrid mixed.

That is basically the identical engine from the unique IS F (and GS F and RC F), simply up to date for the trendy age. It roars to life at startup and builds energy regularly throughout the rev vary. The IS 500’s acceleration is not neck-snapping; Max horsepower arrives at 7,100 rpm and max torque would not hit till 4,800. However the powerband is linear and wonderful all the best way as much as its 7,300 rpm redline. And on the restrict is the place this motor does its finest work.

At 2,800 rpm, an consumption bypass opens as much as launch the total sonorous soundtrack of that naturally aspirated V-8. No faux sounds right here. The IS lets out a muscle car-like roar from the quad exhaust suggestions—one thing you will not discover on any of its direct opponents.

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However here is my first downside with the IS500: The suspension is barely completely different from the IS350 F Sport. The IS500 will get an upgraded rear damper (sourced from Yamaha)—however that is about it. The Torsen limited-slip differential carries over from the IS350 F Sport, as do the adaptive entrance dampers and the staggered Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires.

That is to not say the suspension setup is not glorious for cruising. The IS500 soaks up bumps with solely a little bit of harshness translated by means of the 19-inch wheels and the experience is completely compliant. Comparable Audis and BMWs are nonetheless approach much less snug. However when the going will get twisty, the IS simply is not as succesful as its opponents.

Even with the adaptive dampers set at their stiffest, the IS would not reduce corners with the precision of one thing with an AMG or M badge. It nonetheless feels too comfortable. The steering is heavy and communicative, however not fast. And the eight-speed computerized takes a second too lengthy to get into gear. It needs to be faster. For one thing with an F badge—even when it isn’t a full-blown F mannequin—it simply wants… extra.

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Execs: Intoxicating V-8, Glorious Sound, Luxurious Cabin, Comfy

The place the IS500 doesn’t want extra is in its cabin. The truth is, it may use a bit much less. Swathes of lovely pink leather-based cowl the seats, middle console, door panels, and sections of the sprint. Excessive-quality aluminum accents and matte-finished black plastic items coat the middle console, and there are buttons and dials galore.

However right here’s my second huge problem with the IS: It nonetheless has the rattling touchpad. Whereas most different Lexus fashions have moved to the much-improved Toyota’ Audio Multimedia System with a much bigger touchscreen, the IS nonetheless has the outdated touchpad controller with a small-ish 10.3-inch display screen and the severely outdated Lexus Enform infotainment system. It’s not nice.

Jeff Perez / Motor1

Jeff Perez / Motor1

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be found right here, however they nonetheless require wires. And there’s no USB-C connection for the infotainment system. The touchpad remains to be clunky and troublesome to make use of, and even when you needed to the touch the display screen, it’s positioned so excessive and away from the motive force that it’s nearly unimaginable to make use of whereas driving.

At the very least the IS500 is snug as hell. The cabin is whisper quiet and the upgraded entrance buckets have glorious butt and again assist, with nonetheless simply sufficient facet bolstering for aggressive driving. Lexus makes a few of the finest chairs within the enterprise, and these aren’t any exception.

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Cons: Not A Nook Carver, Horrible Touchpad

Sitting within the second row is much less comfortable; The IS500 has the worst legroom of the group and below-average headroom at 32.2 and 36.9 inches respectively. However the 44.8 inches of legroom up entrance are best-in-class and the 38.2 inches of headroom are above common. If something, larger drivers can have points with the entrance hip room; The cockpit-like seating place can really feel a bit of cramped you probably have broad hips.

Beginning at $60,545 with vacation spot together with, the 2024 Lexus IS500 F Sport Efficiency isn’t low cost. However then once more, neither are its opponents. The BMW M340i prices $60,775 and the Mercedes-AMG is $63,650. Shifting as much as the BMW M3 ($77,175) and Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Efficiency ($88,050) can be even pricier.

Jeff Perez / Motor1

Jeff Perez / Motor1

This Premium mannequin I drove—with navigation, a 17-speaker audio system, and triple-beam LED headlights—is available in at $64,545. There are a couple of paint add-on extras, however most the whole lot comes normal.

Past a couple of points with expertise and suspension tuning, the IS500 is a extremely implausible sports activities sedan. Its calling card is that naturally aspirated V-8, one thing you gained’t discover in lots of trendy vehicles, whereas it nonetheless maintains the extent of consolation and luxurious you count on of a contemporary Lexus. If Lexus went even more durable on the suspension tuning and ditched the outdated infotainment system, the IS500 is likely to be sitting in my storage proper now. That’s, if I had $60,000 to blow.

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