2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Tested: Losing Its Edge

• What's new: The third-gen Lexus IS gets another major update, with refreshed interior and exterior styling, updated tech and fewer powertrain options.
• Why it matters: The IS competes against icons like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
• Edmunds says: The Lexus IS is the oldest vehicle in its class, and there's only so much Lexus can do to keep the car feeling fresh. 

While I'm not hot on the exterior changes, the new interior is a big improvement over last year's car. There's a new infotainment system, and it's much better than the outgoing one. While not as slick as what BMW and Mercedes-Benz are offering, it's no longer a reason to really ding the IS. The steering wheel, dashboard and even the air conditioning controls have all been updated, too. Despite the seats being the same (a great, great thing in my opinion), sitting in the IS no longer feels like you're in a car that's been sitting on a Lexus back lot for a decade. 

But the cost of the 2026 changes has been losing the most interesting and entertaining model in the lineup. I don't think anyone is lamenting the loss of the IS 300 and its four-cylinder engine, but I'll certainly miss the excellent 5.0-liter V8 in the IS 500. The only remaining engine is a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of peak torque. It's paired with an eight-speed automatic and sends its power to the rear wheels, though all-wheel drive is optional. 

Two steps forward, one step back

Because the IS has been on sale for so long, we have a lot of testing data to use for comparison. While rivals have gotten quicker, especially once they started adopting turbocharged engines, the IS carries on like before. In fact, because it's added a few hundred pounds without adding any real amount of power, it's slower than the last few we've tested. The V6 feels smooth once you're moving, but it lacks grunt compared to the engines in rivals. The transmission feels lazy, too, and is a little too eager to upshift when you don't want it to. 

At least braking performance has improved. Coming in at 111 feet, the 2026 IS performed better than any past model in our panic-braking tests. That's up there with the best we've seen from any small luxury sedan without a BMW M or Mercedes-AMG badge. 

Skidpad performance remained mostly unchanged, as the IS showed solid cornering grip for a sedan that's not intended to be a true performance car. But aggressive traction control and numb steering mean you have to work harder to get there. The IS simply doesn't feel as rewarding or as easy to drive as a 3 Series. It's not bad, but the driving dynamic can't back up the F Sport's sharp looks. 

Missing: One 5.0-liter V8

The Lexus IS 350 F Sport is a car that feels unstuck in time. Sit behind the wheel, and the updated 2026 IS hardly betrays its age. The new design is handsome, and the updated tech feels modern and easy to use. But poke around and you'll find bits like the powertrain that really feel dated. I wouldn't knock the engine so much if it were fuel-efficient, but it's underpowered and thirstier than the engines in the IS' rivals. That's a lose-lose.

I could overlook a lot of that when Lexus was still offering the V8 in the IS. Maybe it's the meathead in me, but sticking the V8 under the hood makes almost any car a little better. At least that made the IS stand out. Now the IS feels less special and less appealing, even if some improvements have been made. 

Pricing for the 2026 IS starts just under $47,000. Our well-equipped IS 350 F Sport test car carried a price of $56,048. Rivals like the Cadillac CT4 and Genesis G70 undercut the IS, and the 3 Series isn't that much more. I'm not saying the IS needs a full redesign, but Lexus can't keep refreshing the same car forever.