If you’re looking to get behind the wheel of a small luxury car, you can’t afford to look past the 2025 Lexus IS. It has a range of powerful engine options, handles nimbly around corners and on busy roads, and offers a variety of interior luxuries.
Here at Longo Lexus, our experts took a closer look at this car’s performance specs to give you a better idea of what it’ll be like to get behind the wheel. Whether you stick with the base engine or step up to a more powerful configuration, we’re confident that the classy Lexus performance many drivers have come to enjoy will shine through.
Lexus IS Lineup Overview
The new Lexus IS falls into the small car class. It can seat five people across two rows and boasts a small trunk with enough room for a few groceries. The IS comes in several configurations, impacting your engine choice and other features. There are three main engine options: a base turbocharged four-cylinder unit, a V-6, and a high-performance V-8 in the IS 500. The V-6 can be configured in two ways depending on whether you choose rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Inside the cabin, luxury materials such as leather and cutting-edge infotainment features abound.
Lexus hasn’t made too many changes to the lineup for the 2025 model year. The F Sport gains a few additional features, such as heated auto-dimming exterior mirrors and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The driver’s seat and steering wheel also benefit from memory settings, allowing you to configure your perfect driving position.
The 2025 IS has two main trims — the IS 300 and IS 350 F Sport — which come in different configurations. If you opt for the high-powered IS 500, there are two versions to choose from: the IS 500 F Sport Performance and the IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium.
Lexus IS Engine Options and Powertrain
The base Lexus powertrain is a solid setup, featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and RWD. The engine puts out 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is more than adequate for city driving and accelerating up to highway speeds. This powertrain is offered as standard in the IS 300 trim.
If you opt for the AWD IS 300, you’ll get an upgraded 3.5L V-6 engine that churns out 260 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The performance-focused IS 500 features a V-8 engine outputting 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to this extra Lexus IS 500 horsepower, you can move from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Fuel Efficiency and Driving Range
The base engine achieves 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. If you opt for the V-6 and AWD, these numbers drop to 19 mpg and 26 mpg respectively. Returning to RWD with the more powerful configuration of the V-6 boosts gas mileage slightly to 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg at highway speeds. You won’t be surprised to learn that the extra power that goes into the Lexus IS 500 performance makes this vehicle less fuel-efficient. The V-8 engine is good for 17 mpg on city roads and 25 mpg at highway speeds.
Driving Dynamics and Interior Design
The Lexus IS provides a comfortable, upscale driving experience with a touch of sporty flare. While the lower trims don’t quite leave you feeling like you’re behind the wheel of a sports car, that’s certainly the impression you’ll get with the IS 500 thanks to its potent acceleration and roaring V-8. If you opt for one of the lower trims, you’ll still have a vehicle with more than enough power to swiftly pass other cars on the highway and maneuver with ease around tight corners.
The IS’s interior design enhances the upscale and comfortable driving experience. The high-quality build for which Lexus is renowned creates a well-insulated cabin that keeps most road noise outside. Synthetic leather seats provide a relaxing backdrop for passengers on long or short drives. The power-adjustable front seats allow you to find the perfect position to enjoy the ride. You can get your hands on even more luxury as you move up the trim ladder, including adjustable headrests, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Driver Safety and Infotainment Tech
Lexus equips the IS with an extensive range of safety features in the base trim to enhance its performance on the road. These features include blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. For highway driving, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist come in handy. There are also pedestrian and cyclist detection alerts, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. If you move up to the F Sport trim, one additional safety feature is rain-sensing windshield wipers, which help you keep good visibility at all times.
On the infotainment front, you can look forward to tech features such as an 8-inch touch screen and a 10-speaker stereo. Connectivity options include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB ports. The dual-zone automatic climate control ensures that all passengers stay cool and relaxed. If you opt for the IS 500, you also get a navigation system and a Wi-Fi hot spot to stay connected wherever you go. The range-topping IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium trim also features a premium 17-speaker audio system, a larger 10.3-inch infotainment display, and an improved voice recognition setup.
Check Out the Latest IS Models at Longo Lexus in El Monte
If you’re looking for a small upscale sedan, the Lexus IS provides everything you could need. It has a great selection of engine options, a well-designed cabin with luxurious features, and plenty of great tech options. Whether you like the sound of a high-performance IS 500 or a more modest Lexus with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine, we’re here to help. At Longo Lexus, you can access competitive auto financing to complete your purchase from our finance center or arrange a test-drive to see how the IS performs on the road before you commit to a purchase.
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