2023 Lexus IS 350

The Lexus IS 350 is an enticing proposition on paper. It's a compact sport sedan that looks the part and comes with Lexus' reputation for reliability, and a major refresh in 2021 brought it in closer contention with its rivals. The current IS is more athletic and better to drive than ever, yet its excellent ride quality and quiet cabin make it an excellent everyday companion too.

For 2023, Lexus has made some light changes to the exterior. There is a new Special Appearance package that blends cement-gray paintwork with a black roof, a blacked-out hood and 19-inch black Enkei wheels. There is also a new F Sport Design trim level that serves as the new entry point to the IS 350 range. Essentially, it looks like a full-on F Sport model but doesn't have access to that trim level's performance-enhancing goodies like the limited-slip differential or the adaptive suspension.

That said, the IS is based on an 8-year-old platform, and there are some key areas where its age shows. While the IS 350 is more dynamic than IS models that came before, its 3.5-liter V6 lags behind the more powerful, turbocharged options found in the BMW M340i and the Genesis G70. Even so, a refined interior and a long list of standard equipment make the IS 350 a relevant contender in the compact luxury sedan space. Check out our Expert Rating for all the details on where the IS 350 hits, or misses, the mark.

For 2023, the IS 350 is available in two trims: IS 350 F Sport Design and IS 350 F Sport. Both trims come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 (311 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque) and are available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The RWD IS 350 includes an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the AWD version uses a six-speed automatic. Edmunds reviews the related IS 300 (turbocharged four-cylinder) and IS 500 (V8) models separately.