LIKES
- Improved infotainment access
- Sporty steering and handling
- Good standard features
- Good standard safety features
DISLIKES
- AWD hump in driver’s footwell
- Competition does it better
- Recycled powertrains
- Cramped rear seat
BUYING TIP
The 2021 Lexus IS doesn’t gain any ground on the more performance-oriented compact sedans, but it’s priced right.
What kind of vehicle is the 2021 Lexus IS? What does it compare to?
The 2021 Lexus IS compact luxury sedan induces new or first-time Lexus buyers into Toyota’s luxury brand. It competes with the Genesis G70 and Cadillac CT4, and more aspirationally the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Is the 2021 Lexus IS a good car?
It is a solid entry-level luxury car, but it’s aging, even with this year’s updates. It earns a TCC Rating of 6.2 out of 10.
What's new for the 2021 Lexus IS?
The skin is pulled back, tightened, tucked, and takes selfies from a high angle. The front and rear light signatures get updated, and the mesh hourglass grille wears a corset that flexes a bulging hood.
Inside, welcomes changes to a more accessible infotainment system with two touchscreens to choose from, or a touchpad that replaces the junky console controller. The dash, like the trim lines, is streamlined lower and wider and bookended by circular vents.
The three powertrains carry over with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and two 3.5-liter V-6s, but the suspension gets stiffer, the handling is more composed, and steering more precise. It’s more fun to drive, and marginally more efficient at 25 mpg combined with standard rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available with a 6-speed automatic transmission on either the IS300 or IS350, which this year includes the F Sport upgrades. A separate handling package replaces the F Sport trim level.
It’s an inch wider and longer, but that doesn’t address the cramped rear seats and limited cargo volume in the trunk. Still, the cockpit comes with plenty of standard features, including synthetic leather seats that are power-adjustable, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with smartphone and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The wealth of standard safety features expands from automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control to blind-spot monitors with rear emergency braking.
How much does the 2021 Lexus IS cost?
With just two trim levels but three carryover powertrains, the price spread on the 2021 Lexus IS is pretty small. It starts at $40,025 for the IS300 with the turbo-4, and finishes where we’d want to be at $43,925 for the IS350 F Sport with the 311-horsepower V-6. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 to either.
Where is the 2021 Lexus IS made?
The compact sedan is made and imported from Japan.
Styling
Subtle updates to the outside and inside freshen the aging 2021 Lexus IS.
Is the 2021 Lexus IS a good-looking car?
Yes, but the cuts and angles of the front end can be busy. Aside from being slightly longer and wider, the spruced up IS is a familiar design that looks fresh again, for now. It’s a 6.
The mesh hourglass grille is cinched by check mark LED running lights on top of instead of below the LED headlights. They form the belt on that hourglass grille, and appear to inflate a more pronounced muscular hood. Side mirrors and lower air intakes are new, as is the grille pattern. Another check mark stamps a crease down the sides before rising up to the trunk, where the 2021 changes are most pronounced. The deck lid creates a lip or shelf over a single rear light stretching under the lid from one taillight to the other. Those taillights also appear as check marks. The single band of light makes for distinct branding at night that looks pretty cool. A new black diffuser and dual exhaust pipe design completes the makeover.
Performance
Aging engines get overshadowed by better handling in the 2021 Lexus IS.
The same three engines can be found in the 2021 Lexus IS, even though the trims have been streamlined down to two. The feel and handling are improved, and acceleration is good, earning it a point each for a 7.
Is the Lexus IS 4WD?
It starts as rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive can be added for $2,000.
The quickest IS is the IS350 with rear-wheel drive. It goes 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, according to Lexus. That’s about the same as the base BMW 330i. Acceleration is not its best quality, but the sound and predictability of a free-breathing V-6 still satisfies.
Both IS350s use a 311-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 280 pound-feet of torque. They come with the cosmetic and aerodynamic upgrades distinct to the F Sport, since F Sport is no longer a distinct trim. For the full F Sport feel, owners should upgrade to the Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive dampers and 19-inch forged-alloy BBS wheels for up to $4,200 more. We’ll report back on whether it’s worth the upcharge after we drive it.
The base IS300 with rear-wheel drive is too pokey for this class. It uses a 241-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 258 lb-ft of torque and can reach 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. The larger 260-hp 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 236 lb-ft in all-wheel drive can get there in 6.1 seconds. It hits its happy spot just above 3,000 rpm, and the 6-speed automatic that comes with all-wheel-drive models is keen to stay above that range.
Front-drive models use a more modern 8-speed automatic transmission, and 91-octane fuel is recommended in all three engines.
Comfort & Quality
The 2021 Lexus IS best handles two passengers.
The 2021 Lexus IS grows by an inch in length and width over the 2020 model, but Lexus didn’t address the interior confines that limit the appeal of the IS. Synthetic leather seats with 8-way power adjustments welcome front seat riders to earn a point, but the tight rear seats cause us to take a point away. Our Comfort rating of 5 only applies to rear-wheel drive models.
The driver of an all-wheel-drive IS300 or IS350 must contend with a hump in the driver’s footwell from the all-wheel drive system. You can rest your calf on it while cruising, and eventually you might get used to it, but you shouldn’t have to.
It seats five but the middle seat rider has to contend with a significant hump from the drive shaft running to the rear differential. That spot is better used for a flip down armrest with cupholders, or to fold down the 60/40-split rear seats. With only 32.2 inches of rear leg room, the rear seats might be better off being folded down. By comparison, the BMW 3-Series has 3.0 inches more rear leg room. Like the other interior dimensions, cargo volume in the trunk remains the same 10.8 cubic feet. It’s wide but shallow, and the opening requires some clever angling of larger items.
Safety
Good crash-test results and impressive standard safety tech helps protect the Lexus IS.
How safe is the Lexus IS?
The Lexus IS withstands crashes well and also avoids them with a slew of standard safety features that typically cost extra from other luxury automakers. Its five-star NHTSA crash-test rating and standard safety features earn it a 7.
It could go up to a 9 once the IIHS completes its sixth crash test on the IS; it earned “Good” marks on the other five, as well as “Superior” ratings for its ability to stop and avoid crashes in 12- and 25-mph tests.
Options include one package with parking sensors with automatic braking if you get too close, or an upgraded package that throws in a surround-view camera system.
Features
The 2021 Lexus IS comes well-equipped and with a good warranty.
The 2021 Lexus IS comes in essentially two trims with a few optional packages. The good standard equipment and solid warranty earn a point each for a 7.
An improved infotainment system begins to correct a longstanding gripe. The standard 8.0-inch screen has morphed into a touchscreen moved 5.5 inches closer to the driver, and a touchpad replaces the balky belt-buckle controller. The driver can access most of the useful info through the steering wheel controls, touchpad, touchscreen, or voice commands. Standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa help the cause. The available 10.3-inch touchscreen helps the cause even more, but the menu icons and organizational layout isn’t as intuitive as other brands.
Which Lexus IS should I buy?
How much is a fully loaded 2021 Lexus IS?
Not that much more. The recommended Lexus IS350 F Sport is $43,925 (all-wheel drive is $2,000 more). It comes with distinct color options, bumpers, rear spoiler, exhaust tips, and 19-inch wheels. On the inside, it gets a distinct instrument cluster, aluminum pedals, and available red synthetic leather. The front seats come heated and cooled, and a heated steering wheel comes standard.
Options include a power sunroof, 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and the dynamic handling package. Add those and the price climbs over $50,000, at which point we encourage you to at least test drive the BMW 3-Series.
Fuel Economy
Improved from last year, the 2021 Lexus IS still trails the pack on efficiency.
Is the 2021 Lexus IS good on gas?
Not for its size. The luxury compact sedan improves 1 mpg over 2020 with an EPA-rated 21 city, 31 highway, 25 combined in the base 2021 Lexus IS300 with rear-wheel drive. That fuels a 5 here.
All-wheel drive with either V-6 drops the IS significantly to 19/26/22 mpg in the IS300 or IS350. The 2021 IS350 with rear-wheel drive gets 20/28/23 mpg.
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