2021 Lexus IS Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos

The 2021 Lexus IS compact luxurious sedan is new—and also incredibly familiar—to start out its third decade on sale in the U.S. 

Due to the fact 2000, the Lexus IS has competed in opposition to stalwarts from Europe and the U.S., but at periods has struggled to carve a niche amid its opponents. It has been offered as a compact wagon, a significant-general performance sedan, and as a hardtop convertible in former iterations. The 2021 Lexus IS is a 4-doorway sedan, readily available with a person of 3 motor choices, in rear- or all-wheel generate. All of the over are identical to the outgoing variation, correct down to the electrical power figures and wheelbase. The 2021 variation will get a new seem, but we’ll have to wait to see if it will get a new really feel. 

It goes on sale in late 2020, but Lexus hasn’t however reported how significantly it expenses. 

Critique continues underneath

Design and general performance

The new Lexus IS isn’t a remarkable departure from the very last variation, complete with a common hourglass grille, boomerang LED functioning lights, sculpted human body sides, and tapered rear stop. 

At the back is where the new IS is most recognizably distinctive from the design it replaces. A extensive strip of LED taillights spans the trunk from aspect to aspect, underneath a stamped “shelf” that serves as a tall tail. The mishmash of creases, lights, upright panels, tall decklid, and body fat rear bumper over comparatively little rear exhausts has our brows furrowed—but our closing judgment will have to wait right until we see it in man or woman. 

Within, not significantly has changed for the new Lexus IS when compared to the outdated sedan. Most of the center stack and console remain, like a huge touchscreen perched on leading of local weather controls, gear shifter, and infotainment touchpad controller. Drivers get a digital instrument cluster borrowed from the LFA supercar (Ed’s be aware: If any one remembers what that is any longer.) and the exact steering wheel and controls as the outgoing car or truck. The largest alter inside of may well be gimballed vents at the corners of the dash, for far better or worse. 

Below the hood of the 2021 IS is a common trio of powertrains, largely similar to the outgoing car or truck. The foundation IS300 is run by a 2.-liter turbo-4 that will make 241 horsepower and 258 pound-toes of torque, which is the exact as the 2020 variation. It is paired to an eight-speed automated transmission and rear-wheel generate. 

The IS300 with all-wheel generate substitutes in a three.5-liter V-six that will make 260 hp and 236 lb-ft and a six-speed automated. The all-wheel-generate procedure is biased towards the rear, but can send up to fifty p.c of its readily available electrical power to the entrance wheels. 

The 2021 Lexus IS350 is the leading of the hill for now and works by using a three.5-liter V-six that will make 311 hp and 280 lb-ft. With rear-wheel generate, it’s mated to an eight-speed automated with all-wheel generate, it will get a six-speed automated. Lexus estimates that the IS350 will speed up up to sixty mph in 5.six seconds with rear-wheel generate, which is the exact time it will take a BMW 330i with its foundation turbo-4 motor. 

The IS350 can be equipped with extra general performance hardware when optioned with an F Activity package, which is only readily available on the leading motor this yr. It will get 19-inch wheels that are wider in the rear for far better traction, and an readily available handling package that incorporates adaptive dampers and a rear constrained-slip differential (rear-wheel-generate products only.) We haven’t however pushed the 2021 IS350 but the tale of the tape isn’t encouraging Lexus’ leading products examine to quite a few foundation products from German opponents. 

Even now, Lexus claims it nipped and tucked parts of the 2021 IS to generate far better than the 2020 variation, like stiffer springs and suspension components, lighter-excess weight wheels and mounts. 

Consolation, safety, and functions

The new Lexus IS is nearly similar to the design it replaces, with an inch included to the all round duration and width. The wheelbase is the exact as the 2020 variation, which does not bode perfectly for interior comfort and ease the IS was already on the compact aspect for passenger room amid opponents. 

The interior is shod with synthetic leather upholstery as normal products and electrical power-adjustable entrance seats. F Activity products get their possess remedy with two-tone interiors or crimson synthetic leather. Lexus hasn’t reported if real leather will be readily available in the IS.

Each and every IS is equipped with a suite of active safety gear that incorporates automated crisis braking with pedestrian detection, active lane management, adaptive cruise management, blind-place monitors with rear cross-targeted traffic alert, and automated significant beams. 

Lexus isn’t displaying its hand with all the readily available functions in the IS, but an eight.-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle compatibility is normal on all sedans. A 10.three-inch touchscreen is readily available. High quality audio will be on the choices listing, together with unique paint shades that expense excess. 

The 2021 Lexus IS will go on sale in late 2020.