2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

Name: 2021 Lexus IS 300 Review
Brand: Lexus
Price: 29998 USD
Rating: 4.5 (31 reviews)

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2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Smooth and comfortable ride on bumpy roads
Cabin is well isolated from noise
Offers more features for the money than German rivals

Cons

Subpar fuel economy with all-wheel-drive powertrain
Rear seats can be a tight fit for adults

What's new

Revised infotainment system
Styling updates to front and rear fascias
Changes to chassis and suspension for improved handling
F Sport package no longer available
Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Over the past few years, the Lexus IS 300 has had the potential to be an intriguing pick for a small luxury sedan. It cost less than its German rivals yet offered more features and similar levels of comfort and quality. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, the IS 300 also suffered from a lack of driving refinement, a distracting-to-use technology interface and a small cabin.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$218/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Hoping for a better result, Lexus is hitting a soft reset with the 2021 Lexus IS 300. The exterior is only lightly refreshed, but there are substantial changes underneath and inside that seek to solve the IS 300's most pressing problems. Additional reinforcements and welds increase body rigidity, which Lexus says improves handling and steering response among other benefits. Some suspension components are lighter than before, which reduces unsprung mass and should translate to a more comfortable ride.

Inside, Lexus has replaced the distracting-to-use mouse-like controller with a touchpad controller. This new system eliminates the on-screen cursor that made the prior Lexus system difficult to use. Touchscreen functionality and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also newly available too. The rest of the interior is pretty much unchanged.

Is the 2021 IS 300 better than before? Most certainly. We don't expect the IS 300 will zoom up to the top of our small luxury sedan rankings, but it could be worth a look if value is a priority.

Which IS 300 does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend sticking with the base IS 300 RWD unless you need the extra traction of all-wheel drive. The turbocharged four-cylinder is more economical than the V6 and is nearly as powerful. None of the options is prohibitively expensive, but if you only have a little wiggle room in your budget, the Comfort package is a must-have. The Mark Levinson audio system is a close second.

2021 Lexus IS 300 models

The 2021 Lexus IS 300 is a small luxury sedan available in two trim levels: IS 300 RWD and IS 300 AWD. The two are identically equipped, with one difference that's somewhat self-explanatory: The former is rear-wheel-drive and the latter is all-wheel-drive. Strangely, each uses a unique powertrain. The RWD model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (241 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The IS 300 AWD uses a 3.5-liter V6 (260 hp, 236 lb-ft) and a six-speed automatic.

IS 300
The IS 300 comes standard with:

18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Auto-dimming mirrors
Keyless entry and ignition
Dual-zone automatic transmission
Heated front seats (AWD only)
Simulated leather upholstery
8-inch touchscreen
10-speaker audio system
Satellite radio
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Two USB ports
Wi-Fi hotspot

The IS 300 is also equipped with a set of advanced safety features, many of which are optional on rivals. These include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Lexus and the car in front)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Packages and stand-alone options for the IS 300 include:

Comfort package

Sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Heated and ventilated front seats

Navigation package

10.3-inch touchscreen
Navigation system

Mark Levinson Premium Audio package

Navigation package
17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system
Aluminum control knobs

Upgraded headlights
Sunroof
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the IS 300 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#5 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Lexus IS 300 from 2008-2022.}

$519/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.53x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

5.1%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Lexus IS 300.

5 (68%)

4 (19%)

3 (6%)

2 (7%)

1 (0%)

4.5

31 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 31 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun 2 drive, poor technology

Jason burgos, 08/08/2018

2018 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Only 3,000 miles in but the navigation and Lexus Enform is terribly unreliable. I wasted money upgrading to this option. Seat cooling and heating has a mind of its own.

IS 300Fsport FUN FUN

John Eversole, 07/13/2018

2018 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

There are only a few nagging issues but in the big scheme of things, they may be minor to many. First, the car is very nimble, quick steering, brakes and acceleration. I could get better than 19.5 mpg but I drive it very fast and hard. A little hard to get in, but once in, very comfortable. But a car at this level should have memory seats! Very little storage in the large (on the …

Back to Lexus

DG, 11/22/2020

2020 Lexus IS 300 F SPORT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I bought this because my 2020 Ford Explorer just wasn’t cutting it. I went with the IS because I wanted something a little smaller and sporty. I love the interior. It feels just like a Lexus. The one disappointing thing is no Apple Car Play. That’s a head scratcher for a 2020 model. The seats are very comfortable, and the site lines are on point. I’ve driven it on a three hour trip …

Smart Buy

R, 11/16/2021

2017 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Very satisfied with my 17’ IS300 F Sport. What’s crazy is the used car market right now. The kbb on my IS was $28k when I bought it in Jan 21’ and now in Nov. 21’ kbb is $38k! Go figure, it’s gotta be 1st time in my life we’re seeing values change like that. Shows you how strong the resale value is. Plus it gives owners endless possibilities of mods or it can be kept straight OEM. These … Japanese built rides are so well made and they’re put together in either Canada or the US not Mexico so many. And if the day does come you need some work it won’t cost you like all other euros in its class. No it won’t win any races off the assembly line but that doesn’t mean you can’t set it up to be a track car (my future plans for it). I can feel the craftsmanship and enjoy simplicity of my black and red interior. I like the fact I can switch it to ECO in the neighborhood and barely make a sound then throw it into Sport mode and take the corner at 50 without a squeal. The Japanese have set the standard for a well built long lasting V6s and I don’t feel anything different with this one, it should easily get 250k miles plus just like my 02’ IS did and I’m sure it’s still going. There are some things that can be improved, I had to install my own wireless apple car play harness. I invested about $300 into RCF front bushings and adjustable rear control arms to help with the excessive inner tire tread wear. If your not careful you can burn through summer tires in less than 15k miles. The other small upgrade is to replace your front dash 4” tweeters, it’s an easy and inexpensive mod that will clear up your mids and highs will sound so much better. But that’s my inner sound junkie talking. For those owners complaining about f sport brake noises or any brake noises for that fact don’t understand how to properly lube small key areas near the pad, caliper, mounting spot or don’t have the right brake pad hardware or simply neglecting their brakes. A 5 min internet search and a $2 silicone lube can solve these f sport brake noise complaints. I installed Brembo & Bosch rotors and paired them with ceramic Akebono pads and they are dead silent, rust resistant, zero brake dust and highly responsive. People who complain about brake noises and blame their car are the same type who drive until their oil light comes on before an oil change. For those wondering about winter performance, I’m up in Northern Idaho and I made it through a few solid winters with my stock 18” f sport rims and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 AS tires. But any snow storm over 6” requires snow tire setup or chains. Lexus AWD is solid but it doesn’t provide enough traction for the bigger snow storms. Overall for an affordable entry level luxury sedan/souped Camry I wouldn’t hesitate buying again especially since it won all the rewards in 2017 for holding its value.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Lexus IS 300, so we've included reviews for other years of the IS 300 since its last redesign.

See all 31 reviews of the Lexus IS 300

Write a vehicle review

2021 IS 300 Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$39,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$218/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the IS 300 models:

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Monitors lane markings, warns if you are drifting, and can even help steer the vehicle back into the lane of travel.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Helps drivers maintain a preset distance by adjusting the vehicle's speed in relation to the vehicle directly ahead.
Intelligent High Beams: Switches between high and low beams automatically by using cues from a camera that helps detect when other vehicles are present.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.5%

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2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Which IS 300 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Lexus IS 300 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Lexus IS 300.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun 2 drive, poor technology

IS 300Fsport FUN FUN

Back to Lexus

Smart Buy

2021 IS 300 Highlights

Safety

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2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Which IS 300 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Lexus IS 300 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun 2 drive, poor technology

IS 300Fsport FUN FUN

Back to Lexus

Smart Buy

2021 IS 300 Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Lexus IS 300 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Lexus

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}