“All new” for 2021, the vulnerable IS gets a redesign that was much needed given competition from all sides that have constantly gotten better and a shrinking segment. More evolutionary than a complete makeover it gets a tweaked new front and rear facias along with a revitalized interior. Here is the pricing and options.
There are now just 2 models of the IS this time around spread across 2 engines, 2 transmissions and rear or AWD.
The base IS 300 gets powered by a 2.0L 241 horse I4 paired to an 8 speed auto. Lexus says it can run 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and gets a 21/31/25 combined mpg rating. The IS300 AWD does a 6.1 second 0-60 time with mileage ratings going down to 19/26/22 combined.
The one that you’ll probably want though is the IS350. It gets powered by the carryover 311 horse 3.5L V6 which has been with the IS since the 2nd gens debut in 2005. It does 0-60 in 5.6 seconds (weirdly .1 second slower with AWD) while getting 20/28/23 combined mpg rating. AWD lowers that to 19/26/22. Strangely, AWD models on both the 4 and 6 cylinder engines don’t get the 8 speed auto. They make do with just a 6 speed. Top speed on all models though regardless of engine and drive wheels is 143 mph.
The base IS300 starts at the aforementioned $39,000. There are 10 exterior colors for the IS and in typical Lexus luxury fashion they have names like Caviar and Iridium and Grecian Water. 3 of the colors are $425 options. The other 3 (Infrared, Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 and Ultra White) are only available on the F Sport. I stuck with Black, which Lexus calls Caviar.
Interior upholstery totals out to 8 split between faux leather Lexus calls NuLuxe of which there are 3 choices: Black with Black trim, Red & Black with Black trim & Caramel with Black trim; and actual leather (Black, Brown, Silver or Red) and are only reserved for the F Sport. So I stuck with the red faux leather.
Packages total out to 3:
- Comfort Package $1,950: Heated leather covered wheel, power moonroof, heated and cooled front seats, Black geometric dash trim.
- Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package $2,750: 1800 watt 17 speaker Mark Levinson audio system, machined aluminum control knobs, 10.3” touchscreen with Lexus nav system, the annoying Lexus touchpad and voice command with destination assist.
- Navigation Package $1,670: Pretty much the aforementioned package minus the audio system.
Of course you cant get all of these packages together as the last 2 conflicts because they are almost the same thing. Other than the 3 packages there are 5 individual options:
- Triple beam LED headlights $1,250
- Park assist with auto braking $600
- Park assist with auto braking, rear pedestrian detection and panoramic view monitor $1,400
- 17 Speaker Mark Levinson Audio system $1,080
- 18” 5 split spoke alloy wheels on summer tires are no cost
If you’re like me, you see the redundancy and the obsolescence of built in nav systems. Given that you have a cell phone with either one or multiple navigation apps, along with all models coming standard with Android Auto, Apple Carplay and Amazon Alexa, paying extra for a nav system is dumb. So I just added the comfort package along with the audio system alone along with the LED headlights and parking assist system. With no accessories selected the IS300 rings in at $45,705; $47,705 with the same options and AWD.
Something I should have mentioned earlier and I didn’t discover until messing around with the build and price is that the V6 is only available on the F Sport this time around. So you cant get a non F Sport trimmed IS350. They go hand in hand. The IS350 F Sport starts at $42,900.
The F Sport gets the option of the aforementioned 3 specific colors while on the inside, upholstery choices aren’t standard leather. You would think for the upper trim you would get standard leather but nope. You get faux NuLuxe seating in F Sport specific color choices. If you want leather on the F Sport, that requires an F Sport specific option package (all other options are the same save for the power moonroof being its own option on the F Sport.). At $4,200 ($3,800 for some reason on the IS350 F Sport with AWD) its called the F Sport Dynamic Handling Package. It actually tries to turn the F Sport trim into something more than just all show and no go. It includes:
- Drive mode select with Eco, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+ and custom modes
- F Sport heated Ash Wood steering wheel
- F Sport tuned adaptive variable suspension
- F Sport 19" split 7 spoke forged alloy matte Black BBS wheels
- Carbon Fiber rear spoiler
- Torsen limited slip rear differential
- Ash interior trim
For some reason on the IS350 F Sport AWD, the park assist packaging cant be selected with the handling package. Selecting it requires the selection of leather seating in either Red or Black. With every other option selected except nav, the IS350 F Sport rang in at $52,955; $53,755 with AWD.
The redesign of the IS is welcome and with its new feature it should stay competitive in the segment just by nature of it being a Lexus. But overall its a little underwhelming, riding on the same platform as before along with using an engine that is not only old but outgunned by everything in the segment.
