2023 Lexus IS

In the 2014 model year, when it was brand-new, the Lexus IS compact luxury sedan gave class rivals such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class something to think about. But despite a substantial update two years ago, the 2023 IS is essentially still the same 2014 car under the skin - and now a decade old. In the meantime, tough new rivals such as the Genesis G70 have arrived, so the little Lexus is fighting an uphill battle against fresher talent, and its age is really starting to show in terms of space utilization and powertrain tech. On the positive side, the latest IIHS review of the Lexus IS puts it right at the top of the class in terms of safety, while it drives comfortably, handles surprisingly well, is superbly built from top-class materials, and still looks sharp and stylish. But is this going to be enough to sway buyers from better rivals? Lexus is hardly making any worthwhile improvements to the IS this year, so it's not going to be easy.

The price of the Lexus IS starts at $40,085 for the IS 300 RWD, the only four-cylinder trim. The IS 300 AWD will cost you $42,085, and is the first six-cylinder model; all the other trims have six-cylinder engines. Next in line is the RWD IS 350 F Sport Design at $43,160 and the IS 350 F Sport at $44,410. Speccing AWD on either of these two trims will add $2,000 to their prices. These are current Lexus IS MSRP prices, excluding the destination charge of $1,150.

The Lexus N platform first appeared in 2003 and was updated to the New N in 2012. So it comes as a welcome surprise that the aged underpinnings punch above their weight and endow the IS with dynamics that belie its age. The 2021 update brought a stiffened structure and aluminum suspension parts, and the little IS will fly through the mountain passes with satisfying enthusiasm, even if a 3 Series is ultimately sharper. We feel Lexus has struck just the right balance because the ride quality remains genuinely good while the car is still fun to drive, even after all these years. The brakes are powerful and fade-free, despite a softish pedal, and the steering provides more feel and feedback than you'd expect. The upper trims with the sport-tuned suspension add that final layer of sportiness to round off a very competent chassis. The base four-pot engine is rather breathless, and while the six-cylinder is powerful and refined, its performance now falls well behind that of modern turbocharged rivals.

The Lexus IS still has a lot going for it. The suspension is properly sorted, and while it prioritizes comfort, it is communicative and interactive enough to be fun to drive. The old-school NA V6 and six-speed auto on the AWD trims give away the car's age, but it still performs well enough despite these shortcomings. Even the infotainment is far easier to use since Lexus finally fitted a touchscreen during the 2021 update. But there's no getting away from the fact that the back seat is small and the trunk space uncompetitive, so it's not a proper four-seater. To many people, this won't matter much, and they'd be far more interested in the things this Lexus is still superb at - a top-quality interior hewn from premium materials and an excellent reputation for reliability. There is still a lot to like here, even if the IS is starting to feel its age.

The new IS 350 F Sport Design RWD is our favorite trim level at present. Last year, the base car made more sense, but now that a more affordable F Sport trim is available with the full power of the up-tuned V6 and the dashing looks and big wheels of the other F Sport trims, it becomes our favorite trim. It loses only a few relatively inconsequential features and offers a compelling package, with a proper eight-speed automatic, 311 horses, the best fuel economy of all the V6 configurations, and a good level of equipment to boot.