Used 2023 Lexus IS

The Lexus IS is an entry-level luxury car with a lot going for it. It lives up to its brand’s reputation for excellent reliability, impressive safety ratings, and good overall quality. On top of being a reliable and practical luxury sedan, it can be a blast to drive and offers multiple performance upgrades. The IS 350 F Sport has a new Handling Package available with adaptive variable suspension, and the mighty V8-powered IS 500 F Sport delivers muscular performance. Another big perk of the IS is that it’s a repeat winner of our Best Resale Value Award for an entry-level luxury car. Whether you’re looking for a practical luxury vehicle or an exciting sport sedan, there’s something in the Lexus IS lineup for you.

The Lexus IS competes in a diverse class of compact luxury sedans including the Infiniti Q50, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Genesis G70.

There are several iterations of the Lexus IS to choose from. The base model is the IS 300, powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This engine is more than adequate for everyday driving duties, and it’s the most fuel-efficient variant of the IS. If you upgrade to the IS 300 AWD (all-wheel drive), you get a V6 with more power but less torque than the 4-cylinder.

Drivers craving a little more excitement should consider one of the IS 350 F Sport models. More than just an appearance package, the IS 350 F Sport uses a more aggressive tuning of the V6 engine and adds several other performance upgrades like an F Sport exhaust, a revised intake, and a sport-tuned suspension.

There’s a new IS 350 F Sport Design trim for 2023. It’s a more affordable alternative to the IS 350 F Sport with the performance-tuned V6, sporty appearance package, and F Sport suspension, but it forgoes a few performance and luxury upgrades.

We find the IS 350 entertaining to drive, but if an engaging driving experience isn’t a high priority for you, then you may be more satisfied with the tamer and more efficient IS 300.

Finally, the IS 500 F Sport packs a muscular naturally aspirated V8 engine. This delivers thrilling performance with an intoxicating exhaust note. It’s a throwback to old-school sport sedans while being a thoroughly modern car with sophisticated luxury and tech features.

All-wheel drive is optional on all but the IS 500 F Sport, which is rear-wheel drive exclusively.

So, you have many choices regarding what powers the IS. What they all have in common is a comfortable and composed ride in all driving situations. All you have to do is choose your level of sportiness and whether you want AWD.

If you’re unsure which Lexus IS is right for you, check out this comparison to see them side-by-side.

When we step inside the Lexus IS, we’re welcomed by a comfortable and well-built interior. The seats are comfortable, and you get a nice list of standard features like dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen (upgradable to 10.3 inches), and push-button start. We’re big fans of the optional red interior if you’re feeling edgy.

One minor gripe: There’s no obvious place to put your phone. It could be in an awkward spot if you’re using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Front-seat space is generous, even for taller adults. However, the rear seats can be a little cramped. They’re fine for kids, but adults won’t be comfortable back there for long. Consider the roomier Lexus ES if you want a family-friendly luxury sedan.

The trunk space is a little below average for this class.

The Lexus IS benefits from sharp styling and sporty proportions. Crisp body lines make it stand out, and the front end is a tasteful execution of the brand’s signature “spindle” grille flanked by a handsome light signature.

We also love the diverse color palette of paint choices for the IS. You can go with something traditional like Eminent White Peal or Caviar (black), or choose one of the more adventurous colors like Infrared or Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0.

The size of the Lexus IS is in line with the compact luxury sedan segment. It’s about the same size as the BMW 3 Series and Cadillac CT4.

1. Mechanical variety
Available with four, six, or eight cylinders and your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, we love the variety of options under the hood of the Lexus IS. There’s also a new Handling Package available for the IS 350 F Sport that adds Adaptive Variable Suspension, a limited-slip differential, and more.

2. Proven reliability
Like many Lexus models, the IS has a proven track record of outstanding reliability. Sometimes a luxury car is a gamble when it comes to dependability and ownership costs, but the trusty IS comes with peace of mind.

3. Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
This standard safety tech suite bundles the latest safety tech features. It includes automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist, and more.

4. Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package
The optional Mark Levinson audio system brings your music to life. It’s a premium 17-speaker, 1,800-watt audio system with Quantum Logic Surround technology to create an immersive surround-sound experience.

5. Lexus Multimedia System
The Lexus IS comes standard with an 8-inch infotainment system upgradable to a 10.3-inch display with navigation. Both systems include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM.

6. IS 500 F Sport
The rip-roaring Lexus IS 500 F Sport is a blast to drive, thanks to the naturally aspirated V8 under the hood. You also get an aggressive appearance package and additional performance upgrades like an adaptive variable suspension, Torsen limited-slip differential, 2-piece aluminum brake rotors, and Yamaha rear performance dampers.

One of the highlights of the Lexus IS is its mechanical variety. Let’s take a closer look at its many powertrain options.

2023 Lexus IS 300: Most Efficient

The base powertrain in the Lexus IS 300 is a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with rear-wheel drive. The performance is adequate for most drivers, and it’s the most efficient version of the IS.

When you add all-wheel drive to the IS 300, you get a naturally aspirated V6 with more horsepower and less torque than the turbo engine.

All rear-wheel drive IS models use an 8-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive models use a 6-speed automatic.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (IS 300 RWD)
241 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,650-4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg

3.5-liter V6 (IS 300 AWD)
260 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg

2023 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: 311 Horsepower

Drivers looking for a practical luxury sedan with a little more muscle will like the Lexus IS 350 F Sport. It uses a V6 like the IS 300 AWD, but it’s tuned for better performance. With more than 300 horsepower, it adds some excitement to the IS while keeping the pricing reasonable. Rear-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional.

3.5-liter V6 (IS 350 RWD, AWD)
311 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
277 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg (RWD), 19/26 mpg (AWD)

2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport: Mighty V8

The mighty IS 500 F Sport packs a powerful naturally aspirated V8 under the hood. V8 engines are becoming rare in luxury cars, especially in this compact class. The performance is thrilling, and the exhaust note is satisfying throughout the rev range. You can only get the IS 500 with rear-wheel drive.

5.0-liter V8 (IS 500 RWD)
472 horsepower @ 7,100 rpm
395 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg