Introduction

The Lexus IS four-door has seating for five, turbocharged engines, and offers a choice between rear- and all-wheel drive. The sporty sedan has horse-jockey proportions, crisp handling, and a high level of overall refinement and craftsmanship. 

The chassis and powertrains have been carried over from the year prior, but for 2021 Lexus has refreshed its exterior styling and updated the IS interior with a new touchscreen display. 

The least expensive IS remains the IS300, the numbers denoting a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that churns out 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It's capable of 6.9-second 0-60 mph times. An 8-speed automatic is standard, as is rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. 

For more oomph, a 3.5-liter V-6 comes standard in the IS350. The two extra cylinders bring output to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. With an 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, an IS350 arrives at 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. 

Fuel economy is up slightly with the redesign, checking in at an EPA-rated 21 city, 31 highway, 25 combined for a rear-wheel-drive IS300. Rear-drive IS350 models quaff fuel at a rate of 20/28/23 mpg. Adding all-wheel drive to the V-6 further drops fuel economy to 19/26/22 mpg. 

Every IS gets a better assortment of standard safety features this year, with the list including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, automatic high beams, and new for 2021, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert. Optional equipment includes a surround-view camera system and parking sensors that work in tandem with the automatic braking system in case a driver inches a little too close to another car when pulling into a spot. 

The IIHS is still waiting to complete their testing, so they haven't yet issued the IS a safety rating. What we know so far is that the IS has aced the five crash tests the institute has managed to complete. The NHTSA awarded the IS a five-star overall rating. 

Lineup

Lexus keeps it simple with the IS. The base model is known as the IS300, distinguished by the turbo-4 under the hood. It starts at $40,025 after destination and includes standard amenities like an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, 18-inch wheels, and LED lights. 

The only other trim is the V-6-powered IS350 F Sport, which costs $43,925 to start. Compared to the standard 300 model, the 350 adds 19-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and unique F Sport trim inside and out. 

Walkaround

The IS adopts a racier, more sculpted appearance compared to last year's car. This is most apparent from profile view, where the door skins have been scalloped and the haunches look fresh off a season of vigorous cycling. 

The front and rear ends are more handsome and more resolved than the old car. Designers swapped the old headlights for a slimmer and more attractive pair. 

The rear end stitches together the taillights with a thin, horizontal illuminated piece, giving the impression of a single full-width taillight. 

Interior

The IS's redesigned interior retains all the hallmark Lexus traits: quality materials, impeccable build quality, and good design. That design was made even better this year with the infotainment updates. Formerly, the screen sat in a recessed portion of the dashboard nearer the windshield than the passengers. It was controlled via a bulky joystick mounted on the center console. This year, the joystick was dumped for a touchpad, while the screen moved half a foot closer to the driver and evolved to offer haptic capability. This single update goes a long way in addressing our biggest gripe with the IS. 

Both the IS300 and IS350 provide eight inches of touchscreen as standard, but a 10.3-inch unit is available as an upgrade. The bigger screen gets navigation and a few other functionalities not found on the smaller screen. The bigger screen is also required for the excellent Mark Levinson audio system. It costs over $2,500 for the screen and the sound system, but we say go ahead and splurge; the concert-quality sound is worth it. 

The IS is the most sporting Lexus, so the seats aren't quite as soft and welcoming as those in, say, an RX350. But they are power adjusted at every price point and, with the right boxes checked, can heat and cool as well. We found they struck a nice balance between traditional Lexus comfort and the snug firmness expected of a proper sport sedan. 

The back seat is like that of any small, rear-drive sedan: small. The IS has 32 inches of rear leg room, and adults will need patience to sit back there more than a few minutes. 

It's a similar story in the trunk, where 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space is available. The seatbacks fold down to expand available space when only one or two passengers are aboard. 

Driving Impression

The IS looks the part of a sporty sedan. With more refinement and power, it could more easily match its rivals. 

The turbo-4 swells with good power off the line, and it's refined. Still, we'd take the 3.5-liter V-6. Its 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque deliver more forceful thrust and do so in a smooth, linear manner; there is no sudden onslaught of torque like a turbocharged engine, but rather it comes in a gentle wave that rises and crests much further up the tachometer. It's no rival for the twin-turbo V-6s found in other cars in the class, but its refinement can't be overlooked. 

Both flavors of IS offer a laudable ride, with an easygoing yet agile suspension that can shrug off bumps as well as it can sling around corners. Even with 19-inch wheels, harsh impacts don't intrude into the cabin. Multiple drive modes can tailor the IS to prioritize handling or softness. 

A Dynamic Handling Package is exclusive to F Sport models and is a must for anyone who prioritizes handling. It adds, among other things, an adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential, and a Sport Plus mode. The net sum of these features noticeably sharpen the F Sport's handling chops, giving drivers more confidence with which to attack backroads. 

Summary

The 2021 Lexus IS is a pleasing compact luxury sedan for any driver looking for a good balance between ride and handling. We'd pick the IS350 for its slick dynamics and smooth performance. 

 

-by Anthony Sophinos, with driving impressions from The Car Connection

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