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Michael Simari|Car and Driver
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202220212020201920182017- 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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