The Lexus IS: A Sleek and Powerful Ride

The Lexus IS continues to be the entry-level Lexus sedan that gives shoppers a great way to get into the luxury class with an excellent car.

This entry-level Lexus used to come with less power and start at the IS250 model, but now, it begins life as the IS300. Of course, when base versions aren’t enough for you, there are higher trims with more power, performance, and prestige to make your driving experience more fun and exciting.

Let’s take a look at what the 2024 Lexus IS brings to the table to make it a great choice for your luxury driving fun.

What does the IS 300 offer?

The base model of this Lexus sedan uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that sends 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. This base Lexus sedan includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• NuLuxe interior trim
• Dual-zone climate controls
• Sport driving mode
• 8-inch touchscreen display
• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay
• Sirius XM
• Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Road sign assist
  • Full-speed adaptive cruise control
  • Automatic high beams
  • Blind-spot monitoring

This base model has several available options packages to turn it from a blank slate into the luxury cruiser you want to drive. Some of these are:

• Comfort Package
  • Heated and cooled front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Power moonroof
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink
  • Black geometric interior trim
• Premium Package
  • 19-inch wheels
  • Driver’s side memory settings
  • Open-pore wood trim
  • Power rear sunshade
  • Power moonroof
  • Comfort Package contents
• Navigation Package
  • 10.3-inch touchscreen with navigation
• Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package
  • Navigation Package contents
  • Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system
• Triple-beam LED headlights
• Intuitive Parking Assist
• Panoramic view monitor
• Mark Levinson audio system

What’s special about the IS 300 AWD?

In most cases, adding AWD to the end of a car’s name means power is sent to all four wheels. Lexus does something different. The Lexus IS 300 AWD has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. This power is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Should you choose the Sport Design model?

The F Sport Design trim is an additional setup for either version of the IS 300. This package gives you:

• 19-inch wheels
• Unique bumpers
• Rear spoiler
• F Sport exhaust tips
• Heated front seats

The F Sport is slightly different

The Lexus IS F Sport is an upgrade above the F Sport Design model, giving you:

• F Sport-tuned suspension
• Cold air intake
• Performance-inspired instrumentation
• G-force displays
• Active Sound Control
• F Sport front seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Black geometric interior trim
• Aluminum sport pedals
• Rear center armrest with cupholders
• Auto-dimming mirrors with HomeLink
• Rain-sensing wipers

This model of the IS 300 is also available with:

• F Sport Design trim
• Memory Package
• Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package
• Navigation Package
• Triple beam LED headlights
• Intuitive Parking Assist
• Panoramic view monitor
• Mark Levinson audio system
• Power rear sunshades

What does the Lexus IS 350 F Sport Design offer?

Moving up to the IS 350 F Sport Design model, you’ll have an upgraded version of the 3.5-liter engine. This engine produces 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, but you’ll have the choice of RWD or AWD, which come with the transmissions associated with the drive setups from the IS 300 model.

The upgraded engine and standard F-Sport-tuned suspension are the only changes from the various choices offered for the IS 300 models.

The IS 350 F Sport is an upgraded luxury sports car

The IS 350 F Sport is an upgrade over the Design model, adding:

• F Sport Handling Package
  • Sport S+ drive mode
  • F Sport-tuned adaptive variable suspension
  • Torsen limited-slip differential
• Blackout Package
  • 19-inch matte black BBS wheels
  • Dark chrome exterior trim
• Memory Package
• F Sport Handling Package

What does the IS 500 F Sport Performance include?

One of the top trims of the Lexus IS is the 500 F Sport Performance model. This trim gives you a strong V8 engine that produces 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque setup with RWD. This sport sedan also includes:

• 19-inch Enkei wheels
• F Sport-tuned adaptive variable suspension
• Yamaha rear performance dampers
• Larger brakes
• Sport S+ drive mode
• Torsen limited-slip differential
• Stacked quad exhaust tips
• Power moonroof
• F Sport Performance scuff plates
• Intuitive parking assist system

The only option for this trim level is a set of 19-inch forged BBS alloy wheels in matte black.

The top dog is the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium

At the Is 500 F Sport Performance Premium trim, you get everything that this Lexus has to offer. It builds in the previous trim by adding:

• Triple-beam Led headlights
• Power rear sunshade
• Upgraded 10.3-inch infotainment screen with navigation
• Mark Levinson audio system
• Panoramic view monitoring

Which trim of the Lexus IS will be the one you park in your driveway?