Since its introduction in 1999, the Lexus IS has been a special vehicle for Toyota’s luxury division. While most models concentrated on a very Japanese view of premium, the IS was more focused on European style driving fun, with such stellar performers like the BMW 3 series and Audi A4 firmly in its sights.
It’s been a successful run, too, with 1.3 million units sold across 40 countries and regions – clearly there’s a market for a Lexus with a European accent. So, when we were told that the IS was getting a glow-up for 2026 with an even more aggressive exterior, and a new interior with added tech and style, we were all in for a test drive. So does the IS keep BMW and Audi shaking in their lederhosen? Let’s take a look.
Best Looking Lex Yet
It makes a convincing case from the get-go.
Over the past 6 years, Lexus has been constantly tweaking the sedan’s looks, making it more aggressive and sportier as it went along. Worth noting, the model lineup has been thinned out for ’26 – gone are the entry-level IS300 and the thundering V8 IS500 hot rod. What’s left is the middle child IS350 with a sonorous 311 horsepower V6, offered in just two styles: F Sport Design and more focused F Sport trim, like our tester.
From the front, this thing just looks mean, replacing the more traditional Lexus hourglass shaped grille with a more open, gaping hexagonal grille that looks ready to swallow up unsuspecting sport sedans. The Lexus logo has moved up off the grille into a small panel above, and it creates a lean, angry look with optional projector beam headlights and the signature L-shaped daytime driving lights.
The profile gets some added beef as well. The smaller side grilles have now migrated towards the side of the front fender, and it really accentuates the muscular, bulging fenders, and the familiar deep lower door cut ins and sweeping lines over the fenders have never looked more aggressive. Subtle F Sport badges remain. New-design blacked-out multi-spoke 19-inch alloys really fill out the wheel wells for a road-ready look, and the optional red Lexus brake calipers get the chef’s kiss for deliciously sporty flavor.
The rearview is the most familiar, with an L-shaped light bar that spans the width of the tail, but your eye gets immediately caught by the larger rear spoiler, replacing the smaller lip design of the previous model. Finishing off the look is a contrasting lower fascia in gloss black with a pair of nicely sized exhaust tips poking out for maximum effect.
Our tester really sold the goods with the newest addition to the color palate called Wind, a creamy cement tone that Lexus says, “expresses a dynamic sense of motion through its hard-toned light gray base infused with metallic highlights.” It’s gorgeous, but the other choices including Ultra White, Iridium, Cloudburst Gray, Caviar, Infrared, and Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 all sound intriguing to us as well!
Fresh but Familiar
The interior takes equally big strides, while retaining the serious driver’s environment we’ve come to love.
Open the door, and the first thing that catches the eye is our tester’s new interior color, Radiant Red, that Lexus says was inspired by the vivid glow of solar flares and is exclusive to F Sport models. We love the bold look. There’s also a new matte finish on the center console that Lexus calls “forged bamboo” and now the old piano black, or faux carbon fiber looks feel very been there, done that. A simple detail, but stunning!
The good feelings continue as you slide into the supportive heated and cooled driver’s seat. Ahead of you is a new digital driver’s instrument cluster that’s been increased to 12.3-inches and features the familiar F Sport layout with a large tachometer sitting dead center. Selectable displays, including a G-meter add to the fun.
We think the biggest step is the new info-tainment display. Also enlarged to 12.3-inches, the screen has been snugged up next to the driver’s gauges. While it’s not quite the “wall of screens” we’re used to seeing on the latest Audi, BMW and even Hyundai, it looks much more integrated, vs the old stand-alone tablet screen on the center console.
Another high point for us, with the touchscreen being closer to the driver, Lexus has gotten rid of the touch-pad remote control for the info-tainment, which was always kind of fussy to use. Also, big props to Lexus for including a dedicated volume control, in this case, a small tumbler on the center console that’s easy to find without having to look away. The large touchscreen is beautiful, and our Apple CarPlay looked bright and vivid, and WAZE maps were exceptionally sharp.
The climate controls are simplified to a dedicated system with a small readout and dedicated toggle-type controls, while Lexus has kept the stubby shift lever angled and brought close to the driver where we like it. Drive mode controls continue, with a twist and push knob next to the shifter. All handy.
Also high on our list was the optional 17-speaker, Mark Levinson sound system, and Lexus keeps up with the tech savvy with a large wireless charging system that easily accommodated our iPhone 17.
Interior space is on the snug side – an IS tradition, and that sharply raked windshield means you have to lower yourself down a little bit to get in. Front seats are comfy and supportive once you get there, and you do feel hunkered in a serious driver’s cockpit. The rear seats are also a little tighter than some of the competitors – taller passengers will be wishing for more room.
Trunk space is good, and it’s nice that the rear seats fold down for added space. While they don’t give you a true flat floor, it’s quite usable. And hey, Lexus makes plenty of great crossover/SUV’s if space is a priority.
Performance, Lexus Style
Bold inside and out, the IS350 F Sport is begging to be driven.
The sole engine for 2026 is Lexus’ familiar 3.5-liter, V6 which puts out a stout 311 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s a sweet, smooth powerplant with a nice little growl on idle, and delightful sound as it pulls to redline. Being a Lexus, it’s well-mannered and a bit on the quiet side – we’d love a louder exhaust, because this baby sings!
You have a choice of rear wheel drive with an 8-speed automatic transmission, or an all-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic. Our rear-drive tester was quite quick, especially in Sport Mode, and 0-60 comes up in the mid 5-second range, while it’s not the top of the class (BMW’s M340i rips off sub-4-second times!) it feels responsive, powerful and smoooooth.
Smooth also describes the ride, which is very much Lexus first, sport sedan a close second. It makes the IS350 an especially agreeable companion on longer drives – ultra quiet, and it glides over bumps, dips and ripples that would get filtered through in more focused driver’ sedans. It also leaves you feeling that the IS was lovingly assembled and will stay so for a long time.
It does love to be tossed around in a low-key, Lexus-way, and the steering feel is excellent (Lexus tweaked the system for 2026). The smooth ride also comes through the wheel, telling you what’s going on, but not fighting with the pavement – especially impressive on those massive wheels and tires.
Overall, it’s really a matter of how interactive you want your drive to be – if you’re craving a heavy dose of sport, we think BMW and Audi will be more satisfying, but the more we drove the IS350 F Sport, the more we appreciated the balance, comfort and overall blend of dynamic and lux.
For 2026, the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 remains unchanged, but we’ll add it is extremely well-equipped, and the integration works exceptionally well – just as you’d expect. Like the Euro competitors, additional driver assist items are offered as options.
How much for this Sweet Sport Sedan?
Well, your sweet tooth has a simpler choice for 2026.
The 2026 lineup starts with the IS350 F Sport design model at $45,600. (“Design” in the name tells you it’s more about show than go). Add $2,000 if you want AWD. For a handsome luxury sedan with sporty looks and Lexus attention to detail, it’s a strong value.
We think it’s worth the step up to the IS350 F Sport model that gives you a more performance-based suspension, upgraded seats and interior. Our tester started at $47,950.
Like the fine European brands, there are plenty of tempting options, and ours enjoyed the Panoramic View Monitor, Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto- and Rear-Cross Braking suite for ($1,100), Power rear sunshade ($200), F Sport Handling Package with adaptive variable suspension, Torsen limited-slip rear differential and Drive Mode Select with Sport S/S+ and Custom Mode (a bargain at $1,090), and Triple beam LED headlamps ($1,250).
We also enjoyed the Mark Levinson Audio system ($1,120), Power Moonroof ($1,100), Technology package with Front Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change and Traffic Jam Assist ($620), and assorted accessories ($313). Add in $1,295 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $56,048.
In this class, the big dog is the BMW 3 series. But it’s interesting, to get to a similar price point, you’ll have to settle for the 4-cylinder, BMW 330i model. Comparably equipped it comes in at $57,700. The 255-hp 4-cylinder engine makes for a quick sedan, but it’s hard to match the IS350’s 311-horse V6 for power or sound.
We’d also look at the Genesis G70 sedan, from Hyundai’s luxury division. Like the BMW at this price point, you’re looking at a 4-cylinder, but with 300 horsepower and loads of lux and tech, it makes for a worthy competitor, and at just over $50,000, a strong value. It does lean more towards a luxury look than an outright sporting one (the LFA will have that category covered), so it’s a matter of style and manner – but certainly worth a test drive!
New, aggressive looks, added interior tech with a bold upscale vibe, and a perfect blend of Lexus luxury and performance, the glowed-up 2026 Lexus IS350 F Sport is a sweet, compelling sport sedan!
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