No pricing data available at this time. Our Opinion - 2025 Lexus IS Review The 2025 Lexus IS is not as aggressive as its German competitors because it is not like other compact sports cars. For example, a Mercedes-AMG C63 or a BMW M3 will completely destroy the IS500 F Sport Performance version in a stoplight drag race, even though it has 472 horsepower. However, people who want a better mix of comfort and handling may find that the Lexus is easier to live with every day than other sports sedans. This base IS300 has a turbo-four engine that only makes 241 horsepower, which most drivers will find a bit weak. The V-6 engine in the mid-range IS350 makes 311 horsepower and is more modern than the turbo four. Both versions can have an all-wheel drive. Lexus’s smallest sedan successfully copies the brand’s bigger luxury vehicles, even though it has a smaller cabin than its competitors. This is possible thanks to well-thought-out technologies and high-quality materials used throughout the design. What's New? Lexus is giving the top-of-the-line IS500 F Sport Performance Premium a limited-edition Special Appearance package to mark the 25th anniversary of the IS. Only 180 of these one-of-a-kind models will be made. They will all be Flare Yellow and have beautiful 19-inch BBS wheels. Other new features that come standard on the IS300 F Sport and IS350 F Sport are power-adjustable steering columns, driver memory settings, dark chrome window trim on the outside, and power-folding side mirrors that dim automatically at night. Now, all F Sport Design grades come with heated steering wheels. Pros and Cons Pros Remains available with a V-8 engine. A great ride. It’s fun to drive on hilly roads. Cons It’s easy to press on the brakes. The back seat has marks on it. It doesn’t look like it fits anymore. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The 2025 IS comes with three engine choices: an IS300 with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 241 horsepower, an IS350 with a 311-hp V-6, and an IS500 with a 472-hp V-8. The IS500 only has rear-wheel drive, but the IS300 and IS350 can have all-wheel drive as well. We wouldn’t recommend the IS300’s four-cylinder engine because it doesn’t have the power to match the car’s sporty handling and stylish, high-end look. When you get to the V-6, the IS really shines. Safety Lexus is still giving the IS model line a number of tools that help the driver as standard. The following are important safety features: Typical automated emergency braking recognizes people. Lane-keeping assistance and standard lane departure warning. It comes with adaptive speed control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity Taller adults will not be able to fit easily in the back of the small, rear-wheel-drive IS because it is not as roomy as the similar-sized, front-wheel-drive ES sedan. Also, the front doesn’t have a lot of storage space. You have to put your phone in the cupholder or the small bag under the center seat, which has charging ports. That being said, everything you see and feel is fine for a Lexus. Standard features include a push-button start, automatic climate control for two zones, and power front seats. A power sunroof is an option. The fake leather feels just like real leather. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The EPA says that the rear-wheel-drive IS300 gets 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient model. The numbers drop by a lot when all-wheel drive is added, going from 26 mpg on the highway to 19 mpg in the city. With rear-wheel drive, the V-6 IS350 should get 20/28 mpg in the city and on the highway. With all-wheel drive, it should get 19/26 mpg. As expected, the V-8 IS500 gets the least gas mileage, getting only 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. On our highway fuel-efficiency test route, we drove an all-wheel-drive IS350 at 75 mph and got more than 30 mpg, which is what the EPA said it would get. Infotainment and Connectivity You can get a bigger 10.3-inch screen with in-dash navigation, but the basic screen is an 8.0-inch touchscreen for entertainment. Both have a touchpad on the console, which is an odd arrangement, but we’re glad the volume and tuning buttons are still there. Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Google Auto can all be used with both devices. Like the last generation of IS, this one comes with a Mark Levinson high-end sound system with 17 speakers and 1800 watts of power. Range, Charging, and Battery Life A rear-wheel-drive IS350 F Sport ran from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which is pretty quick for this fast class. The top-of-the-line IS, the V-8-powered IS500, reached 60 mph in 4.3 seconds on our test track. Surprisingly, it puts the IS500 behind other high-end cars like the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, and the BMW M3. Its naturally aspirated V-8 engine is the only one in its class, though, and it makes the top-of-the-line Lexus less active than the Germans. Price and How to Choose The base IS300 is less fun to drive than the six-cylinder IS350, but most buyers will benefit from the high-performance IS500 model, which has a powerful V-8 engine. Like the base model, the IS350 can come with all-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. It would be better to go from the F Sport Design to the full-fledged F Sport and add the F Sport Handling Package to get the Torsen limited-slip rear differential and Adaptive Variable Suspension.
