Lexus IS 350 F Sport 2022

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Lexus IS 350 F Sport 2022

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

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  • Highs Aggressive styling, upscale interior, front seats fit like a glove.
  • Lows Tight rear-seat passenger space, four- and six-cylinder engines don't provide ample power, rivals offer more engaging handling.
  • Verdict Sharp looks and an upscale cabin make the IS a compelling choice among compact sports sedans, but its driving dynamics are still off the mark.

Overview

With its chiseled features and premium interior, the 2022 Lexus IS looks the part of a compact sports sedan. Three engines are available: a turbo four-cylinder, a V-6, or a V-8, with the latter two delivering aggressive F Sport styling and chassis enhancements. Despite its appearance, the IS delivers a refined ride, but those seeking sharp handling may find that it’s too soft. Rivals such the Audi A4, the BMW 3-series, and the Genesis G70 offer more driving engagement and livelier powertrains. Still, the IS offers a well-rounded entry-luxury package with handsome styling and desirable features that should win it favor with buyers seeking curb appeal.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

What's New for 2022?

A range-topping IS500 F Sport Performance model joins the lineup for 2022 and boasts a 472-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine and more aggressive exterior styling elements. The bulging hood, rear diffuser, quad exhaust tips, and subtle trunk-lid spoiler are all unique to the IS500. Elsewhere in the lineup, a new Premium package is now available n IS300 and IS350 trims and it adds 19-inch wheels with either all-season or summer tires and door jamb protectors for the front doors. On the IS350 model, the Memory package adds memory settings for the power-adjustable steering column, exterior mirrors, and driver's seat. That model can now also be ordered with a power rear sunshade.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

    Although we're most intrigued by the high-performance IS500 model, its price may put it out of reach of many shoppers. If that's true for you, we'd think the mid-range IS350 F Sport with rear-wheel drive offers most of the IS's performance charms. The F Sport package not only offers more aggressive exterior styling but also comes with unique 19-inch wheels with larger rear tires, a cold-air intake system, a limited-slip rear differential, an F Sport exhaust, and sport seats with heat and ventilation. We'd also opt for the Dynamic Handling package, which includes an adaptive suspension system.

    Engine, Transmission, and Performance

    The 2022 IS has three engine options: a 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the IS300, a 311-hp V-6 in the IS350, and now a 472-hp V-8 in the IS500 F Sport Performance model. We haven’t been fans of the four-cylinder in previous tests of the IS300, as its dull character isn't well matched to the car's athletic chassis. Ordering the V-6 allows the IS to shine and unlocks the F Sport package, which brings numerous performance upgrades such as a limited-slip rear differential, staggered 19-inch wheels, and an optional adaptive suspension. When we tested a rear-wheel-drive IS350 F Sport, we recorded a brisk 5.6-second zero-to-60-mph time—average for this swift class. Looking for the ultimate IS? The V-8-powered IS500 model is the one to consider. At our test track it pulled off a heroic 4.3-second zero-to-60-mph run.

    Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

    The EPA has given the most efficient IS—the four-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive IS300 model—fuel-economy estimates of 31 mpg highway and 21 mpg city. The V-6 IS350 is rated as high as 28 mpg highway and as low as 19 mpg city; the IS500 is rated for 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. When we drove an all-wheel-drive IS350 on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, it delivered 30 mpg. For more information about the IS's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

    Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

    While not nearly as spacious or deluxe as Lexus's flagship LS sedan, the compact IS still offers a premium experience. Power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and push-button start are all standard features, while a power sunroof and leather upholstery are options. When the IS was redesigned for the 2021 model year, Lexus made few changes to the interior, but a discerning eye will notice relocated cupholders, round air vents near the door panels, and an infotainment system that's been moved closer to the edge of the dashboard.

    Infotainment and Connectivity

    An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard and also uses a console-mounted touchpad; a larger 10.3-inch display is optional and comes bundled with in-dash navigation. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa are compatible with either system. As in the previous-generation IS, a Mark Levinson premium stereo system is available as an option, but this time it has 17 speakers and 1800 watts of power.

    Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

    Lexus continues to offer a suite of driver-assistance features as standard on the IS lineup. For more information about the IS's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

    • Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
    • Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
    • Standard adaptive cruise control

    Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

    The IS has comprehensive coverage that's highlighted by the best powertrain warranty. The first year of scheduled maintenance is included at no charge.

    • Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
    • Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
    • Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 1 year or 10,000 miles

    Specifications

    Specifications

    2022 Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance
    Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

    PRICE
    Base/As Tested: $57,575/62,075
    Options: Premium (heated steering wheel, 360-degree camera, power rear sunshade, parking assist, Mark Levinson speakers, triple-beam LED headlights), $4500

    ENGINE
    DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
    Displacement: 303 in3, 4969 cm3
    Power: 472 hp @ 7100 rpm
    Torque: 395 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

    TRANSMISSION
    8-speed automatic

    CHASSIS
    Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
    Brakes, F/R: 14.0-inch vented disc/12.7-inch vented disc
    Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S001L
    F: 235/40R-19 92Y
    R: 265/35R-19 94Y

    DIMENSIONS
    Wheelbase: 110.2 in
    Length: 187.3 in
    Width: 72.4 in
    Height: 56.5 in
    Passenger Volume: 92 ft3
    Trunk Volume: 11 ft3
    Curb Weight: 3969 lb

    C/D TEST RESULTS
    60 mph: 4.3 sec
    100 mph: 10.4 sec
    1/4-Mile: 12.8 sec @ 112 mph
    130 mph: 17.5 sec
    Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
    Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 sec
    Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.0 sec
    Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.3 sec
    Top Speed (gov ltd): 149 mph
    Braking, 70–0 mph: 159 ft
    Braking, 100–0 mph: 320 ft
    Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.89 g

    C/D FUEL ECONOMY
    Observed: 15 mpg

    EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
    Combined/City/Highway: 20/17/25 mpg 

    2021 Lexus IS350 F Sport

    VEHICLE TYPE
    front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

    PRICE AS TESTED
    $55,220 (base price: $43,925)

    ENGINE TYPE
    DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
    Displacement: 211 in3, 3456 cm3
    Power: 311 hp @ 6600 rpm
    Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

    TRANSMISSION
    8-speed automatic

    CHASSIS
    Suspension (F/R): control arms/multilink
    Brakes (F/R): 13.2-in vented disc/11.7-in vented disc
    Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S001L, F: 235/40R-19 92Y R: 265/35R-19 94Y

    DIMENSIONS
    Wheelbase: 110.2 in
    Length: 185.4 in
    Width: 72.4 in
    Height: 56.5 in
    Passenger volume: 92 ft3
    Trunk volume: 11 ft3
    Curb weight: 3801 lb

    C/D TEST RESULTS
    60 mph: 5.6 sec
    100 mph: 14.2 sec
    130 mph: 26.0 sec
    Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.9 sec
    Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
    Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
    1/4 mile: 14.2 sec @ 100 mph
    Top speed (mfr's claim): 143 mph
    Braking, 70–0 mph: 155 ft
    Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g
    Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

    C/D FUEL ECONOMY
    Observed: 26 mpg

    EPA FUEL ECONOMY
    Combined/city/highway: 23/20/28 mpg

    C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

    More Features and Specs

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    Will there be a 2022 Lexus IS 350?

    The 2022 Lexus IS 350 comes with rear wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic, 6-speed shiftable automatic. The 2022 Lexus IS 350 comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi.

    How fast is the 2022 Lexus IS350 f sport?

    According to ProfessCars™ estimation this Lexus is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 sec, from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 sec, from 0 to 160 km/h (100 mph) in 13.6 sec, from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 22.4 sec and the quarter mile drag time is 13.9 sec.

    IS 350 F Sport a rival?

    Despite its appearance, the IS delivers a refined ride, but those seeking sharp handling may find that it's too soft. Rivals such the Audi A4, the BMW 3-series, and the Genesis G70 offer more driving engagement and livelier powertrains.

    Is the Lexus IS 350 F Sport reliable?

    Lexus IS350 Reliability Rating Breakdown. The Lexus IS350 Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 31 for luxury midsize cars.