Lexus has been producing luxury sport sedans for a long time, and the IS 350 is a member of the compact group. Promising plush comforts as well as sporty road behavior, this V6-powered four-door competes against the BMW 335i, which essentially dominates the compact sport sedan category. Striving to meld traditional Lexus luxury values with a more youthful aura, the IS was redesigned for 2014. Lexus added two new models for 2016: a rear-drive IS 200t with a turbo four-cylinder, and a revived IS 300 with all-wheel drive.
What's New for 2016
Except for minor updates, including new standard five-spoke 18-inch wheels, the IS 350 is largely a carryover. A new optional Premium Plus Package includes a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers. A heated steering wheel is now available as a standalone option. With the addition of two new IS models, the IS 350 is the only one available with a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Choosing Your Lexus IS 350
Both the basic IS 350 and its performance-oriented F Sport sibling contain a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, driving an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive (with six-speed automatic) is an option.
The eight-speed automatic has paddle shifters, as well as G-force Artificial Intelligence that aims to “choose gears intuitively,” according to Lexus. All-wheel drive was developed to respond to road conditions, varying the front/rear torque ratio from 30:70 to an even 50:50. Electronic power steering is derived from the larger Lexus GS sedan.
IS 350
Offered with an MSRP of $40,820, the rear-drive IS 350 has 10 airbags, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, pushbutton start, and power front seats. High-intensity-discharge headlights are standard, along with LED daytime running lights, a moonroof, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Display Audio system features an eight-inch screen and provides HD radio with traffic and weather updates, as well as Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity. Lexus Enform Safety Connect telematics (for crash response and concierge services) is included.
A Driver Mode Select system has Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. All-wheel drive also includes a Snow mode, and adds $2,215 to the IS 350 price.
Primary options include a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, power rear sunshade, intuitive parking assist, a heated steering wheel, and a backup camera. Premium, Premium Plus, Luxury, Navigation, and Navigation/Mark Levinson audio packages are available. Lexus’ navigation system features a Remote Touch Interface system (essentially, a point-and-click controller).
F Sport
Differences between the basic IS 350 and the $44,025 F Sport are largely cosmetic, but the “F” does add an adaptive variable suspension system with Sport S and Sport S+ modes. Styling is considered to be more aggressive and sporty, led by a distinctive grille and front fascia, even though performance changes little. Standard equipment includes a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum pedals, black headliner, projector LED headlights, backup camera, and heated/ventilated front seats. Instruments were inspired by gauges used in Lexus’ LFA supercar.
CarsDirect Tip
Choosing which IS to buy is mainly a matter of picking an engine, including the new turbo four-cylinder in the IS 200t, and deciding about all-wheel drive. Options tend to be bundled into packages, which can send the total price of an IS 350 into inaccessible financial territory. If tempted by the F Sport package, remember that it doesn’t change the IS 350 by nearly as much as its racier exterior might suggest. Nothing changes mechanically, except for an adaptive suspension.
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