What is it?
The Lexus IS is the brand's rear-wheel-drive compact luxury sports sedan, the BMW 3 Series fighter that started life in 1999 as the Toyota Altezza. The current third-generation IS entered production in 2013 and received a third facelift for MY26 with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital cluster and retuned EPS. The IS is not currently available new in Australia, with Lexus Australia stopping local sales in November 2021 due to an ADR side-impact compliance issue. Overseas markets offer the IS 300h hybrid and IS 350 V6, while the IS 500 F Sport Performance V8 was a US and Japan only halo.
The lineup runs from IS 300h (overseas) at null plus on-roads, through to IS 500 F Sport Performance (US/JP only) at null plus on-roads. Warranty cover sits at 5 years, unlimited km.
Interior and Technology
The MY26 facelift is the biggest cabin update the IS has had in a decade, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital cluster and retuned electric power steering. The V8-powered IS 500 F Sport Performance remains one of the most desirable enthusiast sedans on sale globally.
Not currently on sale new in Australia. Lexus Australia stopped selling the IS in November 2021 because the pre-facelift body did not comply with a new ADR covering side-impact safety. No confirmed return for the MY26 facelift. The IS 500 V8 has never been sold in Australia.
Should you buy the IS?
Reasons to buy
- The MY26 facelift is the biggest cabin update the IS has had in a decade, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital cluster and retuned electric power steering. The V8-powered IS 500 F Sport Performance remains one of the most desirable enthusiast sedans on sale globally.
Reasons to wait
- Not currently on sale new in Australia. Lexus Australia stopped selling the IS in November 2021 because the pre-facelift body did not comply with a new ADR covering side-impact safety. No confirmed return for the MY26 facelift. The IS 500 V8 has never been sold in Australia.
- You want a new RWD luxury sedan you can configure in Australia. The Lexus ES is the current AU sedan offering, and the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Genesis G70 remain the natural new-car options.
- If you want a new IS in Australia, you cannot. Approved pre-owned IS 300h and IS 350 stock remains, or wait for the reportedly developing electric IS successor for the late 2020s.
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