It might seem that sedans are on the way out, with more Americans embracing CUV and SUV entries for their next vehicle purchase. But instead of an all-out extinction event, some of them are holding on. This includes the Lexus IS sport sedan.

The IS has endured because it has always focused on delivering the core essentials to customers, including performance, technology, and comfort. The 2026 model year is a key update for the sedan, but is it enough to help it live long enough for a new generation?

A new face is nice, but we liked the old IS better

A major update for 2026 is that the exterior styling for the IS has been tweaked for a third time via its latest mid-cycle refresh. The front end gets the most changes, with a new front grille and a tweaked rear bumper. The changes here are a mixed bag, and while the rear changes are welcome, we liked the old front styling better since it worked better with the headlights.

That minor gripe aside, the rest of the car managed to draw plenty of attention, with the bulk of this being achieved on our tester by its bold red paint, which was complemented by the black accents that come with the F Sport treatment. In addition to the exterior updates, Lexus also pruned the trim ladder slightly.

The base four-cylinder version is gone, but in exchange, buyers lose the range-topping IS500 and its spunky 5.0-liter V8. While the former’s departure was long overdue, losing the V8 is a regrettable decision on Lexus’s part. The F Sport itself is also split into two sub-trims, with our tester being the base “Design” model. The uplevel “F Sport” is a $2450 upgrade, but it gets suspension tweaks and other trim and styling upgrades.

IS interior gets a tech upgrade

Slip inside the 2026 model, and you’ll find that the interior has also gone under the knife. The old infotainment screen and its useless touchpad have been axed for a larger 12.3-inch display, with the digital instrument cluster also getting bigger. A wireless phone charging pad is also included, and a new bank of analog controls is added in too.

The charging ports in the cabin have also been updated to the USB-C standard, but aside from these changes, the core elements of the interior remain unchanged. The front seats are still very comfortable and supportive, and while the back seats are tight for some adults, they can be folded down to boost cargo room in the trunk. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in the IS.

V6 performance continues to set IS benchmark

With many of its rivals embracing four-cylinder powerplants, the IS’s continued insistence on using a V6 is an enduring quirk. The V6 is aging and lacks the turbocharging or supercharging that others use to boost power. Instead, it’s an old-school naturally aspirated unit that continues to make 311 horsepower and 211 lb-ft of torque. The choice in drive layout dictates which transmission you get, with rear-wheel-drive models getting an eight-speed automatic. Go for all-wheel drive like our tester, and you get a six-speed automatic instead.

The V6 is a confident engine, and it certainly did a good job delivering good acceleration, and the suspension and summer tires helped provide confident amounts of poise and security. When viewed within its bubble, the IS is a pretty decent sport sedan.

The problem is what happens when the car is dragged out of its protective security blanket and viewed against its rivals. Many of them have had more extensive updates, and models like the Audi S3 and the BMW M235 can also accelerate quicker than the Lexus.

Fuel economy numbers are virtually identical between the two transmissions, with the six- and eight-speed automatics getting the same 19 mpg in the city. However, AWD versions like our tester give up one mpg in freeway driving for a revised figure of 26 mpg (RWD models get 27 mpg in the same category).

Value Quotient

With the Lexus IS celebrating its 12th birthday not too long ago, it can sometimes be hard to justify it when viewed alongside rivals. That said, it’s two rung trim ladder is pretty straightforward, with the base F Sport Design starting at $46,895.

Meanwhile, the regular F Sport starts at $49,345 wth these models easily moving past $50,000 with options. On the surface, this pricing ensures buyers will be able to get an IS at a price point that’s on par with rivals. However, the sheer amount of age the IS is now burdened with makes it struggle even more against rivals, and as a result, it’s rapidly becoming harder to justify it as a viable purchase.