Trims, Powertrains, and Fuel Economy
The 2023 Lexus IS is a high-end sports sedan made in three powertrain variations: 300, 350, and 500. The 350s are available in F Sport Design and F Sport trims, while the 500s are offered with F Sport Performance and F Sport Performance Premium trims. The 300 comes with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 241 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, while the 350s get a 3.5-liter V6 making 311 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque (which is standard in the all-wheel drive version of the 300). The 500s have an ultra-potent 5.0-liter V8 that whisks out 472 hp and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard with most, but all-wheel drive is optional for the 300 and 350. With RWD, the IS will get an eight-speed automatic transmission, while those with AWD come with a six-speed automatic.
According to the EPA, the RWD IS 300 returns an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. With AWD, it achieves 19 city/26 highway, as does the AWD 350. The RWD 350s fulfill 20 city/28 highway, and the IS 500s promise 17 city/25 highway.
Notable Amenities
The ’23 IS is the epitome of athletic elegance. The 300 has bi-LED headlights with daytime running lights, LED taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, SmartAccess (proximity entry) with illuminated entry, push-button ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, NuLuxe interior upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, two USB ports, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, selectable drive modes (Normal and Sport), a turbo-boost display, and a 60/40-split folding rear seatback.
The 350 F Sport Design has exclusive F Sport exterior styling elements (applied to the front and rear bumpers, grille surround, rocker moldings, rear spoiler, and rear valence), dark 19-inch wheels, heated and ventilated sport-bolstered front seats, aluminum sport pedals, and a rear armrest with cup holders. The 350 F Sport gains rain-sensing wipers, dark-chrome window trim, an F Sport exhaust, a cool air intake, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, active sound control, and performance-inspired instrumentation with a G-force display.
The 500 F Sport Performance receives several performance-enhancing attributes, like an adaptive variable suspension, additional drive modes (Eco, Sport S, Sport+, and Custom), a Torsen limited-slip differential, stacked quad exhaust tips, two-piece aluminum 14-in. front and 12.7-in. rear brake rotors, and Yamaha performance dampers. It also has a raised hood, dark-finished 19-inch Enkei wheels, side mirrors with reverse-gear tilt-down, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, position memory (for the side mirrors, driver’s seat, and steering wheel), door-sill scuff plates, and a moonroof. The 500 F Sport Performance Premium tops things off with premium triple-beam LED headlights and a power rear sunshade. Many of those high-end features are optional for the lower-level trims.
Active Safety Technologies
The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard on every trim. This bundle of advanced driving aids includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, and intelligent high beams. The 500 F Sport Performance Premium goes a step further with a panoramic view monitor, intuitive parking assist with automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic braking, each of which can be ordered in the lower trims as options.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Most trims have the same high-level infotainment system, which unites an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice recognition, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, a remote touchpad, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 500 F Sport Performance Premium upgrades to a 10.3-inch touchscreen, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, machined-aluminum control knobs, dynamic voice recognition, and integrated navigation.
Packages
Lexus makes several upgrade packages available to further equip the 2023 IS. The Comfort Package contains a moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink. The Premium Package has the contents of the Comfort Package plus 19-inch wheels, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down, position memory settings, front door-sill scuff plates, a rear armrest with cup holders, and a power rear sunshade. The basic Navigation Package bundles a 10.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. The Mark Levinson version adds a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, machined-aluminum control knobs, and the items listed in the Navigation Package.
The 350 F Sport Design is eligible for the Navigation Package, too, while the 350 F Sport can be ordered with the Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package. The 350 F Sport is also available with the Memory Package, which includes the position memory settings for the steering wheel, driver’s seat, and side mirrors, as well as the F Sport Handling Package, which has Eco, Sport S, Sport S+, and Custom drive modes, an adaptive variable suspension, and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. Another package that’s offered for the 350 F Sport is Special Appearance, which bundles black NuLuxe interior upholstery, a bi-tone Incognito exterior color with an Obsidian black hood and roof, and 19-inch dark-finished Enkei wheels. The Special Appearance Package for the 500 F Sport Performance Premium issues a Molten Pearl exterior paint color, black NuLuxe interior upholstery, color-matching floor mats and key gloves, and matte-black BBS forged 19-inch wheels.