In many ways, the 2021 Lexus IS three hundred AWD feels just like the automobile equal of a time capsule. Though refreshed and restyled, the current-technology IS nevertheless dates lower back to 2014; you’d be forgiven for thinking whether or not Lexus’ maximum affordable – and second-best-selling – sedan has fallen too some distance behind.

With the large cash in SUVs and crossovers proper now, Lexus took a centered technique to shine up the IS’ tough edges. For the 2021 version year, the compact luxurious sedan were given remodeled the front and rear styling, tweaks to the suspension and chassis, and improvements inside, often to the infotainment machine. Pricing kicks off at a aggressive $40,125 (plus $1,half destination).

That receives you a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that brings 241 horsepower and 258 lb-toes of torque to play, directed thru an eight-pace computerized transmission via the rear wheels. My Grecian Water IS three hundred AWD evaluate vehicle, meanwhile, has a three.5-liter V6 with 260 horsepower and 236 lb-toes of torque, and pairs its all-wheel pressure with a six-pace computerized.

Confusingly, there’s an IS 350 RWD which has the equal V6 – aleven though tuned for 311 hp and 280 lb-toes – and an eight-pace computerized. An IS 500, meanwhile, throws in a V8: it’s a pleasant reminder that Lexus hasn’t pretty given up on large displacement, naturally-aspirated engines yet.

Despite what the figures say on paper, the IS three hundred AWD is all at once punchy. No, the six-pace doesn’t experience as clean and energetic because the transmissions in a number of Lexus’ rivals, however so long as you’re now no longer critically pushing matters it continues up simply swell. It’s smooth, too, and the tactile steel paddle-shifters imply you may override its incredibly reluctant downshifts while you need to push harder.

While the engines can be old, the chassis and suspension tuning is new. There’s greater reinforcement to make it stiffer, even as the suspension has long past on a severe diet. Factor in nicely-weighted steerage and it leaves the IS three hundred AWD feeling all at once clean and lithe. Flick to Comfort mode, meanwhile, and aleven though there aren’t anyt any trick adjustable dampers it’s nevertheless delicate and smooth. Lexus simply paid interest to what absolutely wished it, and that consciousness has paid off.

You ought to say the equal for the outside modifications. Though the IS wears Lexus’ considerable the front grille, it handles the dimensions of that maw well; better, I’d argue, than a number of the automaker’s large sedans. Design is subjective, however the tasteful creases and judicious (however now no longer lavish) utility of chrome pay off. I specifically just like the new rear treatment, in which the angular lamps, trunk-spanning mild bar, and a few smart interaction of the deck lid spoiler and concave surfacing below go away the IS searching clean and distinctive.

Inside, maximum of the cabin is unchanged. The seats are comfortable, the switchgear sturdy, and Lexus’ plastics stay firmly top-notch. On the turn side, there’s an amazing absence of storage, and the whole lot feels snug, specifically withinside the rear in which passengers in rival sedans get greater legroom. The equal is going for the rather small 10.eight cu-toes trunk. Lexus, of course, couldn’t make any significant modifications there, however it did cope with the IS’ maximum not unusualplace complaint.

Praise be, the same old eight-inch infotainment display screen is now finger-friendly. There’s a touchpad withinside the middle console, however you may attain out and faucet the touchscreen rather to have interaction with Lexus’ Entune machine or, even greater gratifyingly, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They’re stressed in preference to wireless, however I’ll take what wins I can get.

Enform itself is, well, now no longer the best machine out there. Lexus simply is aware of that, because it has already advanced a replacement, aleven though it’s uncertain whilst that could percolate via the range. The $2,750 Mark Levinson audio package deal offers the audio system a 1,800W improve and sounds great, in addition to throwing in navigation on a large, 10.three-inch touchscreen.

$1,950 provides the Comfort Package, with heated and ventilated the front seats, a heated leather-based steerage wheel, and a strength moonroof. I’d begrudge, aleven though, paying $1,four hundred for the 360-diploma camera, parking assistance, and rear pedestrian detection. It appears like that absolutely need to be fashionable withinside the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which incorporates pre-collision with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, lane departure alert with steerage assist, street signal assist, and car headlamps. At least, blind-spot tracking with rear move visitors alert is fashionable, that’s greater than you may say approximately a number of the competition.

In all, it added my evaluate vehicle to $49,915 consisting of destination. You’ll pay a touch greater in gas, unsurprisingly, for the V6: the EPA says it’s suitable for 19 mpg withinside the city, 26 mpg at the highway, and 22 mpg combined. With common driving, aleven though, I controlled 24 mpg.

2021 Lexus IS three hundred AWD Verdict

Lexus’ improvements to the IS have absolutely made it a greater attractive vehicle, however it’s preventing in a fiercely aggressive segment. For old-college luxurious sedan enthusiasts there’s the perennially a hit BMW three Series, each greater enticing and with greater brand-attraction than the Lexus, and – for the instant at least – spared BMW’s greater debatable outsized styling elements. The Genesis G70, meanwhile, is the new-cash wildcard, with enticing design, competitive pricing, and a well amusing drivetrain setup.

The surprise, aleven though, is simply how powerful Lexus’ modifications right here were at tightening up the IS enjoy overall. It won’t be a brand new vehicle, however it’s won a brand new hire on existence at least; greater worthwhile to pressure, generation that’s simpler to stay with, and styling that feels greater cohesive.