The 2026 Lexus IS returns with a new cabin and a purified lineup. Once offered with 4-, 6-, or 8-cylinder engines, it now comes exclusively with a 311-hp V6. But the cabin has seen an impressive refresh, bringing larger screens and new device charging options, but keeping the dramatic colors and sumptuous surfaces it has long been known for.
Among luxury automakers, Lexus has long had a reputation for stunning interiors. The IS, as the brand’s purest sports sedan, shows how Lexus designers can bring that cocoon-like experience to a car with a racing heart. Let’s take a deeper look inside.
Passenger Room and Comfort
All luxury sedans are comfortable. But even in that crowd, the driver’s seat of the Lexus IS stands out. It has more head- and legroom than a comparable Acura Integra. It barely trails the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in headroom, and beats it in legroom. Compact sports sedans are often a tight fit for taller drivers, but the IS is a bit more accommodating than most.
Rear seat dimensions are tight by comparison, but that’s true of every car in its class.
Heated front seats are standard across all trim levels, with heated and ventilated seats available on most.
Features and Tech
An upgrade for 2026 brings a larger, faster-responding touchscreen to the center stack inside the IS. We appreciate that Lexus keeps the screen high, so you don’t have to look down far from the roadway to check directions or skip to the next song.
We also appreciate that Lexus hasn’t bought into the trend of routing most controls through a touchscreen interface. The IS gets all the modern technology you’d expect in a luxury sedan in 2026, like an intelligent virtual assistant (say “hey, Lexus” to start it up), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a panoramic view monitor to assist with tight parking maneuvers. But there’s also a row of tactile buttons under the touchscreen, helping you adjust climate control without paging through menus.
The Mark Levinson sound systems in some Lexus models are among the best-tuned on the market. Some trim levels of the IS get a powerful 17-speaker system – a lot of sound for a compact car.
A smartphone app lets you remotely start and unlock the car, with a subscription fee not kicking in until after the third year of ownership.
Materials and Design
Lexus has always done interiors as well as, and often better than, any similarly priced rival. Our favorite feature of the 2026 IS might be the lovely selection of materials inside.
Every trim level is upholstered in NuLuxe, a synthetic leather that is as soft as the real thing but easier to maintain. Color choices vary by grade, but include a pulse-pounding red and black with satin trim and a sophisticated black and white that lends airiness to the cabin of a small car. Lexus uses soft materials everywhere your hands will touch, and even in a few places they won’t, just for the visual impact.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
Few shop for a sports sedan based on its cargo room. The trunk of the IS is just 10.8 cubic feet, but then, that’s nearly a match for the trunk of the C-Class or the Audi A3.
The rear seats feature a 60/40 split, giving you access to the cabin for storing larger items.
Build and price your own 2026 Lexus IS to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see the IS models for sale near you.
