Used 2018 Lexus IS 300 Base Sedan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Lexus IS 300 Base Sedan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Fun 2 drive, poor technology
Jason burgos, Philadelphia, PA, 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.
Lady in hot Blue Lexus
Kathy, Vineland, NJ, 08/07/2018
2018 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
First Lexus, fun to drive, great handling on curves, brakes excellent. Comfortable seats, lacks storage next to driver. Love it!
Nice car
Kirt, Fairfax, VA, 04/27/2022
2018 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 years old no issues
Four-wheel Xanax
Andolina, V.P., Lansdale, PA, 01/12/2023
2018 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
About 6 months ago I purchased a used base 2018 Lexis IS 300 6-cyl. with about 32,000 miles on it. The car was in excellent condition, rattle and squeak free, beautiful dark blue paint, comfortable interior, fast downshift and acceleration upon mashing the accelerator, fairly good handling. Overall I like this car very much and it fulfilled my goal of a sedate car that does not tempt the … driver to flog it mercilessly. (My previous car was a 2015 Focus ST which was a ton of fun to drive but I pushed it too much.)
My major negative comment about this car is lack of road feel (as mentioned in Edmund's review), and additionally, lack of feedback about g-forces. I cannot bend this car into a turn at high speed because it gives no clue about change in g-force distribution and when to power out of the turn. It simply feels as if the suspension is trying its best to keep the car level. That reduces the fun factor to zero, and also means that the driver could lose control without warning if the limits of the tire's grip is exceeded. Not fun!
As of this review the car has nearly 45,000 miles on the odo and still feels tight, comfortable and quiet.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Lexus IS 300 Base Sedan
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Smooth and comfortable ride on bumpy roads
- Pro:Cabin is well isolated from noise
- Pro:Offers more features for the money than German rivals
- Con:Handling capabilities do little to create driver excitement
- Con:V6 power compares to smaller turbo engines, but isn't as efficient
- Con:Optional Remote Touch infotainment system is distracting to use
Which IS 300 does Edmunds recommend?
The IS 300 now offers a punchy turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It's the one we'd take. The turbo-four makes less horsepower than the V6, but its additional torque makes for better acceleration off the line. It also gets better gas mileage. To that we'd add the Comfort package for its, well, additional comfort and safety features. We'd skip the Navigation package since it comes with the frustrating Remote Touch interface; unfortunately for music fans, that package is the only way to get the Mark Levinson premium audio system.
Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Lexus IS 300 Sedan
Driving
7.0The highlight of the IS 300 is the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which is better than the V6. Handling dynamics aren't this car's strongest suit, though you can still have fun whipping this luxury compact around a bend or two.
Comfort
8.0Excellent ride comfort and the serene quietness of the IS 300's cabin are the big standouts in this area. We are also happy with the seats, though sitting in the saddle for a few hours can take a small toll on your lower back due to some mismatched lumbar ergonomics.
Interior
6.5The IS struggles with finding a balance between innovation and complication. The infotainment system interface lacks user-friendly qualities, and basic cupholder ergonomics seem like afterthoughts. This is a cabin with mediocre usability.
Utility
7.5The smallish trunk (10.8 cubic feet) doesn't fold flat. The unevenness limits what you can carry with the seats down. Small-item storage up front is limited to the armrest bin, the door pockets and the glovebox.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Lexus IS 300 in Texas is:
not availableLegal