Lexus has taken the wraps off a new version of its IS, reaffirming its commitment to the sedan segment despite buyers more and more shifting towards SUVs. The new compact sports sedan arrives as a 2026 model and is actually an update of the current third-generation IS rather than a true redesign. It’s the third such update, as the current IS first arrived for the 2014 model year and was given similar updates for the 2017 and 2021 model years.
- Base Trim Engine
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2L I-4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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241 HP @5200 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 RPM
Given the age of the car and Lexus’s silence on plans for a successor, there were rumors the IS nameplate was facing the axe altogether, or possibly a replacement by an electric vehicle. It turns out that isn’t the case, and the end of production reported earlier this year was only the end of the pre-facelift model’s manufacturing. This new IS begins sales in early 2026 in most markets, though Lexus hasn’t confirmed whether that includes the US. The version shown is also designed for global markets, though most of its features should be shared with US-delivered cars.
Updates On The Mild Side
The most obvious visual change to the car is its new front fascia, which helps visually lower the front of the car, further accentuating the IS’s low center of gravity and sporty stance. It also increases the length of the vehicle by about 0.4 inches.
The version shown is the F Sport, which adds a newly designed rear spoiler, as well as new 19-inch aluminum wheels, among other tweaks – one of which is red brake calipers featuring the Lexus logo. A new exterior color – Neutrino Gray – has been added, bringing the total number of paint options to eight.
The interior sports a new dash design that helps bring things into the modern age. Although the layout remains largely the same, a prominent central touchscreen display now sits in line with a digital instrument cluster that Lexus has chosen to keep inside a hooded cowl instead of opting for a floating panel look. Both screens measure 12.3 inches, which is bigger than before.
There are still plenty of physical controls, too, including on the steering wheel and in a strip containing toggle switches located below the central touchscreen. Lexus has also added a new trim option called Forged Bamboo. This is a sustainable material made from bamboo fibers.
Two Grades At Launch
Lexus hasn’t said much about mechanical changes but has confirmed a reworking of the IS’s steering for a smoother, more natural feel, thanks to a new electric power steering setup that adjusts to driving conditions. The suspension has also been upgraded with dampers that react more quickly to bumps in the road, making the car more stable while keeping the ride comfortable.
Confirmed grades include the hybrid IS300h and gas-only IS350. Both come standard with rear-wheel drive, while the IS350 has the option of all-wheel drive. The current IS300h, which was never offered in the US, pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined output of about 220 horsepower, and something similar is likely for the new IS300h. An IS350 is currently offered in the US and uses a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 311 hp, and this should be similar for the new version.
Specifications and pricing for the US will be announced closer to the market launch. The 2025 model starts at $41,830 in IS 300 guise. Sadly, there’s been no mention of whether a V8 option will return. The current V8-powered IS 500 bows out in November, so there’s still time to snag one. However, with this facelift, it gives us hope that the IS500 may yet return for another few years.
Source: Lexus
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