??Is the new Lexus IS for sale yet? That is a great question, and get set because the attention-grabbing Lexus IS is set to kick things into high gear. The compact sports sedan is disrupting showrooms across the USA and causing a stir for all the best reasons.
The Lexus IS sports a streamlined design for an eye-catching look that shows the IS is more than just another sedan. Expect to find a minimalist and modern interior that makes it easy for the driver to connect with their car. A great selection of interior colors is available to set the perfect tone for your next drive. As is common with Lexus, expect powerful engine options. Slip behind the wheel of a driving machine that is set to your preferences with user-friendly tech and an elegant design that perfectly demonstrates that less is more.
Starting at just over $41k the IS is a sedan that stands out among others in its class.[a] High-end design emanates from the sporty car inside and out. Turn over the engine and hear it go from a purr to a roar. Sync up your smartphone to customize your car’s technology and bring along your favorite driving music, your favorite apps, and more. There’s never been a better time to be in the driver's seat than now.
Whether you’re navigating the gridlock traffic of downtown Manhattan or cruising through Brooklyn or south to Staten Island, the responsive driving of the Lexus IS series has been designed to impress drivers at every turn. So, let’s see what each of the IS trims has to enhance your drive.
The IS 300 Is Anything but Basic
The IS 300 might be considered more of a jumping-off point when you’re looking at the IS lineup. It starts at just over $41k this year, but for drivers who want a car that introduces a little thrill into their everyday drive, the IS 300 is perfect.[a] It features a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque complemented by an eight-speed Sport Direct-Shift automatic transmission. The IS 300 offers drivers a smooth and nimble driving experience that makes it an excellent choice for urban and highway driving. A combined 25 MPG means more driving and less stopping.
Drive Mode Select is featured across all IS trims. This allows drivers to adapt their vehicle’s performance to meet the challenges of the road. A Custom Drive feature lets you further personalize your experience and strengthen your ties with the IS. When you opt for the Sport + mode, expect improved suspension and increased responsiveness.
The exterior and interior work together to create a dynamic profile that looks impressive from all angles. On the interior, the cabin is designed around the driver so that driving your IS is relaxing, fun, and rewarding in every possible way. More like a cockpit than a typical sedan cabin, the interior is driver-centered with updated dash tech and minimalist lines that take the distraction out of driving. Its intuitive nature feels as if it were designed specially for your needs.
One Step Up: The IS 300 AWD
The IS 300 AWD builds on the achievements of the IS 300 but adds a few extra performance features to make it noteworthy. If you want just a little bit more out of your car, the IS 300 AWD is a car that likes to have fun. As its name implies, the IS 300 AWD comes standard with all-wheel drive, as well as a beefed-up 260 hp V6 engine with 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 300 AWD performance is topped off with a six-speed paddle-shift transmission for a rewardingly responsive drive. With the power of the V6, expect your combined fuel economy to drop just slightly to a combined 22 MPG, which is a small price to pay for a thrilling daily drive. Weave through traffic, tackle wet roads, and get where you need to go in style behind the wheel of an IS 300 AWD.
Get Sporty With the IS 350 F Sport Design and 350 F Sport
For drivers who want an extra spark of power added to the mix, anything with ‘sport’ in the title sounds good, including the IS 350 F Sport Design. When you opt for this mid-level trim choice, you get increased engine power and performance that will make you happier about driving in Manhattan.
Rev up the V6 engine and listen to the beautiful sound of 311 hp and the strength of 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s hard to believe that such a compact car can hold so much power. Take turns and enjoy a smooth ride thanks to the F SPORT-tuned suspension and 19-inch staggered-width wheels. It is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. For drivers looking to add the extra F Sport Handling package, it’s available for the mid-level 350 F Sport but not the Sport Design trim. This package adds the Sport S+ feature to your Drive Mode Dial, as well as F SPORT–tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension plus Torsen limited-slip rear differential (available for rear-wheel drive only).
The IS 350 F Sport Design was only added to the trim lineup in 2023, expanding the line and giving drivers access to the same edgy styling as the 350 F SportTrims, but for a little less. While it doesn’t include extras like ventilated front seating or a heated steering wheel, it offers a sharp trim choice with modern materials that elevate the driver’s experience.
But let’s be realistic; we’re not 100% here for the style alone. If you want to unlock that V6 engine, it starts here. To take things up a level, the 350 F Sport offers the same amount of power and style as the Sport Design but with interior extras like heated steering and ventilated seating.
Moving Up With the Sports Trims
Finally, we’ve reached the top tier of this trim line. The 500 S Sport Performance and 500 S Sport Performance Premium have a lot to give drivers who want to go all in and get the ultimate performance that Lexus offers. Both feature a 472 hp 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 engine that brings 395 lb-ft of torque along for the ride. Also, make sure to take note that with these two top trims, the Sport Handling package comes standard to expect the full range of Drive Modes to include Sport S+ in addition to performance-enhancing features like Torsen limited-slip rear differential. Drivers can expect the 500 S Sport Performance to them from 0-60 in only 4.4 seconds!
Dark chrome exterior accents with a raised hood add to the aggressive nature of the two trims. The 500 S Sport Performance Premium is set apart by a few additional interior features like a 17-speaker sound system and Dynamic Voice Command plus navigation system.
If you want all the power, then the 500 S Sport Performance brings it. If you want all the additional luxury to go along with it, go for the 500 S Sport Performance Premium and don’t look back.
The Diverse Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is an appealing sedan not just because of its good looks and top-notch performance but because of the premium choices it gives drivers. Whether you want a little power mixed in with your sophistication or you want a sports car to elevate your driving experience one mile at a time, the IS is the perfect model for every road.
Navigating places like New York City and the surrounding boroughs can present a challenge. From Staten Island to the Bronx and everywhere in between, it's impossible to avoid the bridges, the tunnels, and the never-ending traffic. But when you’re behind the wheel of a Lexus IS, driving goes from a chore to a pleasure, and suddenly, you’re not in such a hurry.
Sit back, relax, and get into the driver's seat of an IS. Don’t accept the mundane. Take a trip with Lexus and transform your everyday ride into something unforgettable.
[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.
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Lexus IS for sale