- Lexus had sent signals that its IS sports sedan might be done after the 2025 model year
- But the model has returned with a new face and new cabin appointments
Much of the automotive world is in flux right now. Fuel economy rules are no longer enforced (welcome back, V8). Federal incentives for electric vehicles (EVS) are ending soon, slowing plans for some new models.
Automakers are rearranging their production plans, trying to balance the need to shift to electric propulsion in the long run with the opportunity to sell powerful gas-powered cars quickly.
That means a few surprise returns.
Lexus had sent signals that its IS sports sedan might not make it to 2026. The company even offered an Ultimate Edition for 2025, usually a goodbye gift from Lexus.
But last night, a remodeled 2026 IS made a surprise appearance from behind the curtain. Pricing has not been announced. The 2025 IS on dealer lots today starts at $41,830 with delivery fees. However, the disappearance of a lower-cost engine option means we expect a 2026 minimum price in the high-$40,000 range.
Fewer Engine Choices, but New Interior Options
- It’s not an all-new model, but it is a facelift
- The V8 and 4-cylinder engine options are gone
Lexus hasn’t fully committed to a new generation of IS sedans. This is a mild facelift that tweaks the model’s look and technology offerings.
The 2026 IS will come only in IS 350 form with a 3.5-liter V6 putting out 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Dealers will stock just two trim levels — F Sport with an adaptive variable suspension and F Sport Design without. Drivers can still choose rear- or all-wheel drive (RWD or AWD).
A revamped front fascia gives it a different large, aggressive grille than the 2025 version’s large, aggressive grille. This one appears wider and sits above a more prominent lip spoiler. F Sport models have the option of a new rear spoiler that, Lexus claims, improves aerodynamic performance.
Inside, both the driver’s instrument screen and the central touchscreen grow to 12.3 inches. Front and rear rows of seating each get two new USB-C ports.
Design details inside now include “forged bamboo” trim on the center console and start switch bezel, and for F Sport buyers, the option of Radiant Red upholstery “inspired by the vivid glow of solar flares.”
We can’t guarantee the IS will survive into the 2027 model year, given the auto industry’s rapid change. However, the company has invested in new factory tooling to produce the new front fascia, so a facelift may mean the IS will continue for several more years.
