2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: Stuck In The Middle

Within the land of compact luxurious sedans, the Lexus IS has all the time been a strong choice, however by no means a standout. Even when the absurdly good IS F was nonetheless round (RIP), higher options just like the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 overshadowed it. And sadly for Lexus, even with the arrival of the “new” IS this yr, that sentiment nonetheless rings true.

The 2021 Lexus IS is identical middle-of-the-pack luxurious choice that it is all the time been. This definitely just isn’t a foul automobile by any stretch; the IS is extraordinarily comfy, extra trendy now for 2021, and presents a complete suite of ordinary security tools that a lot of its opponents lack. However solely the outside and a few inside bits change for 2021. In any other case, the carryover powertrain choices and outdated infotainment interface go away one thing to be desired (plus this car does get expensive with choices).

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Initially, you may not have the ability to inform the distinction between the 2021 IS and final yr’s mannequin. However look nearer; the entrance fascia is now noticeably sharper than it was on its predecessor. Slim triple-beam headlight fixtures with embedded LEDs embellish every nook, there is a bigger grille with diamond-shaped mesh, and the aspect vents are extra angular. For the F Sport package deal particularly, there are even particular entrance bumper therapies, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and 19-inch matte black wheels.

From there, the aspect physique strains are extra aggressive. There is a laborious crease that extends from the aspect sill to the rear fender that we actually like, joined by a extra noticeable beltline that runs like a fast brush stroke entrance to again. And the rear finish now wears a full-width gentle bar with angular LED lighting fixtures on both aspect. Final yr’s Lexus IS did not look dangerous, however this one appears manner higher.

The within of the brand new IS is not all that completely different, however it’s not that final yr’s model wanted a lot work anyway. The ten.3-inch touchscreen now sits atop the sprint, reasonably than embedded inside it – which we may take or go away. The ash wooden trim items adorning the door panel and steering wheel (particular to the $4,200 Dynamic Dealing with package deal) are a pleasant contact, and the up to date F Sport seats look good in Circuit Purple fake leather-based. However the cabin does nonetheless look a bit dated comparatively.

Even with the F Sport package deal and the 19-inch wheels, the Lexus IS nonetheless rides effectively. The suspension setup is usually a carryover from final yr, however the new-for-2021 adaptive suspension (solely out there as a part of the $4,200 Dynamic Dealing with package deal) feels silky clean Eco and Regular modes and solely stiffens up a bit in Sport S and Sport S Plus. Even in these sportier drive modes, the trip is taut however not backbreaking, that means you may drive it round city in probably the most aggressive settings.

The seats within the IS are a few of the greatest in each the phase and usually. The purple “Nuluxe” fake leather-based F Sport buckets, on this case, match like a superbly sized driving glove – and so they’re each heated and ventilated with the $1,900 Consolation package deal outfitted. The cushioning is excellent and the bolstering is superb, plus the seating place itself makes you are feeling such as you’re in a literal cockpit. The situation of the steering wheel and the way in which the sprint envelops the driving force connects you to the automobile.

The one ding in opposition to the IS within the consolation division is the rear passenger area. The 38.2 inches of entrance headroom is strong for the category and the 44.8 inches of entrance legroom bests most options, just like the BMW 3 Collection, the Audi A4, the Acura TLX, and most others. But it surely’s the again seat the place the Lexus IS struggles. The rear entryway is tight, headroom is a middling 36.9 inches – Audi, BMW, Volvo, and some others are higher – and rear legroom is among the many worst in its class. The backseat of the IS merely is not a snug place to sit down over lengthy distances.

Even with modest updates on the outside for 2021, Lexus did not tackle one of many automobile’s most urgent points: the dreaded infotainment touchpad controller. The identical wonky, troublesome to make use of, irritating setup from final yr carries over, solely now it controls a brand new 10.3-inch touchscreen with customary Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The brand new display screen is crystal clear, however it’s nonetheless not any simpler to navigate.

There are two expertise choices on the IS: navigation or a premium 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. You may both bundle them collectively – as our tester has – at a value of $2,750, or choose them individually. Navigation alone is a $1,670 choice that you must skip (given the baked-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), however the upgraded audio system feels well worth the $1,080 asking value – it is actually good.

The identical LFA-inspired shifting instrument cluster additionally carries over from the earlier mannequin, now joined by a extra complete 8.0-inch digital display screen. The brand new display screen permits quick access to issues like audio, gas financial system, and navigation readouts, all accessible by way of a cleanly laid out suite of steering wheel buttons.

For a automobile that appears so sporty on the surface with the optionally available F Sport package deal, the Lexus IS is on the backside of the pack for efficiency. The gutless engine is our greatest gripe with this automobile – extra so than the cursed touchpad. The three.5-liter V6 produces a measly 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet – identical as final yr – and feels completely sluggish beneath 4,500 rpm (torque peaks at 4,800 RPM). Taking a look at numbers alone, the V6 within the IS has much less torque than the four-cylinder BMW 330i (295 lb-ft) and simply barely as a lot because the four-cylinder within the Acura TLX (280 lb-ft). All informed, the Lexus IS will hit 60 miles per hour in a gradual 5.6 seconds.

The usual eight-speed computerized transmission is inoffensive at greatest. It shifts anonymously in low-speed driving conditions, however does are likely to really feel a bit slushy at increased speeds. Patrons can, although, no less than select from both rear- or all-wheel drive. Our automobile sports activities the previous RWD setup with a limited-slip differential and the optionally available $3,800 Dynamic Dealing with package deal.

In our first drive, we felt that the Dynamic Dealing with package deal did not add a lot to the IS’s general dealing with, and some months on, it nonetheless feels too expensive of an ask. However after extra time within the IS with the optionally available dealing with pack and the limited-slip diff, there’s a noticeable distinction in general competence.

The Lexus IS takes corners with extra precision and smoothness than any of its predecessors. The physique is flat, the steering is correct and weighted effectively, and general, it is a fairly gratifying factor to fling into corners. There are nonetheless extra dynamic and extra enjoyable choices on the market – just like the BMW 3 Collection, Genesis G70, and Alfa Romeo Giulia – however the IS does have some redeeming qualities with all of the optionally available bits and items outfitted.

Customary on all variations of the 2021 Lexus IS is what the corporate calls its “Security System+ 2.5.” That baked-in suite consists of computerized emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection, in addition to a pre-collision warning system. Extra superior tools – like adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go performance, road-sign help, and lane-departure alert with lane-centering expertise are extras on decrease trim ranges, however customary right here on the F Sport.

Lexus – and Toyota as a complete – supply a few of the greatest customary active-safety tools within the enterprise. The adaptive cruise management works flawlessly on the freeway and the lane-centering expertise too, conserving the IS completely centered within the lane always. The one choice on our tester is the parking help with computerized braking, rear pedestrian detection, and a useful panoramic view monitor – all a $1,400 choice.

The IS 300 with the optionally available V6 achieves a modest 20 miles per gallon metropolis, 28 freeway, and 23 mixed. These numbers are simply okay for the category, falling beneath our 30-mpg-combined goal. However the IS is likely one of the few remaining choices with an out there V6 within the aggressive set.

Of the four-cylinder options, the BMW 3 Collection and Audi A4 each stand up to 30 mpg mixed, whereas the Acura TLX will get as much as 25 mixed. In comparison with the Lexus IS’s more-powerful and sportier six-cylinder options, the BMW M340i will get 25 mixed, whereas the Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan achieves 22 mpg and the Genesis G70 3.3T will get simply 20 mixed.

The most affordable strategy to get into the IS F Sport is $42,900 for the rear-wheel-drive mannequin examined right here. All-wheel drive provides an additional $2,000 on prime of that. There are three standalone packages out there on the F Sport mannequin: navigation ($1,670), navigation with the Mark Levinson premium audio ($2,750), and the priciest of the bunch, the F Sport Dynamic Dealing with ($4,200).

Our automobile has the navigation with Mark Levinson audio and the F Sporty Dynamic Dealing with, plus standalone choices like parking help with panoramic view ($1,400), triple-beam headlights ($1,250), an influence moonroof ($1,100), and parking help with computerized braking ($600). All informed, our automobile prices $55,050, after vacation spot and dealing with charges.

However all issues thought-about, the Lexus IS is definitely effectively priced comparatively; the Genesis G70 3.3T prices $46,200 to begin – and though they’re each higher outfitted and significantly faster – the M340i begins at $54,700 and the C43 sedan prices $56,500 out of the field. So even with costly choices, the IS remains to be one of many extra reasonably priced six-cylinder choices within the class.