2020 Lexus IS 300 Review

Name: 2020 Lexus IS 300 Review
Brand: Lexus

Price Range: $22,998 - $32,998

+140

Lexus makes an admirable case for a value-based luxury sport sedan with its entry-level 2020 IS 300, offering adventurous styling at a better starting price than German rivals. It even has an injection of driving personality. Unfortunately a clumsy infotainment controller and too-tight ergonomics hold it back. Times have changed since this IS generation debuted for 2013 and the car feels stuck in time.

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2020 Lexus IS 300 Review

byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

Pros

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

Cons

Handling capabilities don't create much driver excitement
V6 offers comparable power to smaller turbo engines but isn't as efficient
Optional Remote Touch infotainment system is distracting to use

What's new

New Blackline Edition debuts with exclusive wheels and black/indigo trim
Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Like a wall-mounted landline, the Lexus IS 300 is badly in need of an update. The luxury sport sedan debuted its third generation for the 2013 model year with very good ride comfort and a starting price that undercut German rivals. That much is still true today, but in other areas the IS 300 has grown stale in a class that is rapidly adding challengers with an eye toward modern performance and convenience.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$186/mo

$154/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

At the top of the list is the IS 300's technology — or lack thereof. A 7-inch screen comes standard and buyers can opt up to a 10.3-inch screen with navigation, but it's packaged with a mouse-like controller that is clumsy to operate through the menu interfaces. Neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto is available. There are other drawbacks, including tight interior dimensions and small cargo space, that are easier to overlook. But it's difficult to recommend outdated tech in a competitive class of luxury cars.

The IS 300 can compete with the BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes of the world. Drivers will feel pampered with top-notch interior quality and fit and finish that seems to block out the rest of the world. Without much-needed updates in some critical areas, however, never mind the Germans. Lexus is quickly losing ground to offerings from Volvo, Genesis and even Acura.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7/10

How does the IS 300 drive? The turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides sufficient oomph to the IS 300. Its brakes stop the car from 60 mph on par with other luxury sport compacts and the steering offers direct response.

But beyond those metrics, the IS 300 struggles to put it all together. There's an all-around lack of feel -- from the brakes, steering and tires -- that fails to deliver a clear picture of what the car is doing. The transmission needs to be in Sport mode to deliver responsive shifts, and even then, downshifts take too long. On paper the IS 300 brings strong performance to the table. In practice it's best to stick to roads that don't challenge the chassis too much.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the IS 300? As you'd expect from a Lexus, the ride quality and interior serenity are top notch in the IS 300. The sedan combines solid body control with smooth compliance at all the right times, without the marshmallowy float indicative of an overly soft suspension. Great attention went into sound proofing the cabin and the engine sounds refined compared with competitors.

A heated steering wheel and seats get up to temperature quickly and the seats are comfortable and supportive. The lumbar support is positioned too high, though, and becomes irksome after a few hours behind the wheel. F Sport models provide additional side bolstering and a noticeably harsher ride from the taut suspension.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? Interior comfort is nearly overshadowed by the IS 300's tight dimensions, which can overcomplicate a simple act like turning the steering wheel without rubbing up against your knee. The wide center console leaves little room to maneuver, and the wheel does not have much tilt and telescoping range. Armrests are comfortable, and there's a padded surface to rest your hand while using the infotainment joystick.

Headroom is limited in the rear and the transmission tunnel makes for an uncomfortable middle seat. The car's low height and sloping roofline also force passengers to dip inside, and huge rear pillars create blind spots that call for the optional parking sensors and rearview camera.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? Lexus poses quite a dilemna with its infotainment controller, which makes moving through the on-board menus a clumsy endeavor. Worse, the IS 300 still does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. Instead, owners can connect with Siri Eyes Free, or opt for Lexus Enform Remote and access certain functions of their vehicle through smartphones, smartwatches and Amazon Alexa devices. But it's a major oversight on a modern luxury car.

Otherwise, the IS 300 has strong voice recognition technology and comes standard with advanced safety like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. But with an interface stuck in the Stone Age, it's time for an overnight update.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Tightness in the cabin continues around to the rear trunk as well. Cargo space is on the small side for this class, at 10.8 cubic feet. You also have to bend over to slide your bags in because the top of the trunk is inset compared with the bottom. Small item storage is limited, with two small cupholders up front and two more hidden in a rear fold-out armrest tray.

Four hidden yet accessible LATCH anchors and three handy upper tethers make installing a child's seat easy.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The IS 300 ranks quite a bit lower than its rivals when it comes to efficiency, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined (21 city/30 highway). The Mercedes-Benz C300 totals 28 mpg combined (24 city/35 highway) while the BMW 330i achieves 30 mpg combined (26 city/36 highway).

Value

8/10

Is the IS 300 a good value? No complaints here when it comes to interior build quality and overall fit and finish. The IS 300 is a well-made luxury sedan, and at a lower base price that its BMW and Mercedes-Benz rivals. Value is a strong reason to opt for the IS 300. It takes a fuel economy hit, rated at just 24 mpg combined (21 city/30 highway) compared to the BMW 330i (26 city/36 highway) and Mercedes C300 (24 city/35 highway).

It also comes with a competitive basic warranty and favorable drivetrain coverage, though BMW covers all regular maintenance for three years while Lexus pays for only the first two jobs.

Wildcard

7/10

Lexus took a shot at making the IS 300 genuinely fun to drive. While the company didn't quite hit a bullseye, it ended up with a good foundation upon which to build. The IS 300 has plenty of performance under the hood, with an aggressive Sport mode and different stages of stability control that allow for some high-speed fun. There is a lack of front end grip and vagueness from the steering through corners. But otherwise the IS 300 is a positive step in the direction of driving excitement.

Which IS 300 does Edmunds recommend?

The greatest strength in the Lexus IS 300 is its value, so focus on bang for your buck. Skip the V6 and opt for an IS 300 RWD. The rear-wheel-drive model is a solid platform and comes in under $40,000 to start. That gets you into a well-built luxury sedan that's even a little fun to drive, with a long list of standard features that won't leave you feeling squeezed.

Compare 2020 Lexus IS 300 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2020 Lexus IS 300 models

Lexus offers the IS 300 in four available trims: the IS 300 RWD, IS 300 F Sport RWD, IS 300 AWD and IS 300 F Sport AWD. The main differences between them are evident. The IS 300 RWD is rear-wheel-drive and the IS 300 AWD is all-wheel-drive. The F Sport package adds a sport-tuned suspension, a gaping mesh front grille, and seats with additional side bolstering. But while rear-wheel-drive models are equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (241 hp, 258 lb-ft), all-wheel-drive models step up to a bigger 3.5-liter V6 (260 hp, 236 lb-ft).

The IS 300 RWD sends its power through an eight-speed automatic transmission that isn't fast but does enhance an already smooth ride. The base model also nets you standard equipment such as dual-zone automatic climate control, two front USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, an eight-speaker audio system and a sunroof. Safety is a priority with automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Upgrade to the IS 300 F Sport RWD if 18-inch wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, and the tuned suspension are more your thing.

Upgrading to the IS 300 AWD doesn't add many creature comforts, but there are some changes. It sends its V6 power to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission instead of the rear-wheel drive's eight-speed. The IS 300 F Sport AWD also gets all-season tires as opposed to summer tires on the RWD trim.

All models can be had with the Comfort package, which includes a power tilt and telescoping steering column, rain-sensing windshield wipers and blind spot monitor. Lexus also offers a Navigation package that adds a 10.3-inch infotainment screen with the frustrating controller, plus one complimentary year of the Lexus Enform Destination Assist concierge that includes directions from a live agent. The real prize is the Mark Levinson package and its phenomenal 15-speaker audio system, though it automatically comes with the Navigation package. The exceptional audio quality may ease the pain of living with the controller.

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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.}

Lexus IS 300 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

33 reviews

5(55%)

4(24%)

3(6%)

2(15%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner 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.

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 …

IS300 F Sport - stylish, fun, upscale

Alex R., 10/28/2016

2016 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

This IS 300 F Sport has been an absolute pleasure. While sport sedans today, including some of the others I tested before acquiring an IS, are somewhat watered-down for the most part, this one doesn't make compromises. It's a very comfortable place to be while still offering high levels of driver engagement, and it looks the part, too. Starting off, the sedan is pretty low to step into, … which lets both driver and passenger know this is not a family sedan. It took me a couple of days to adjust to the step-in height, but it's certainly easy to live with. The seats hug you quite nicely and have soft Nuluxe upholstery - my example's seating is finished in Rioja Red, which contrasts nicely with the black surfaces on the dash and headliner. I love the analog clock and brushed-aluminum accents, which are sort of retro-looking. After starting the car the first thing you notice is the awesome F Sport instrument cluster, which is mostly a digital display. It looks sharp and is reconfigurable to show lots of trip data and even glows red when your RPM reaches a configurable threshold. The steering wheel is also fantastic and one of my favorite features of the car - it's wrapped in soft leather and is fairly chunky. The steering feel, too, is quite good for a modern car, providing enough resistance at speed to give me confidence around corners. Speaking of corners, this thing stays pretty flat and drama-free even at turning speeds I wouldn't dare attempt in my old Camry. And despite the V6 being detuned to 255 HP compared to the IS 350's 306 HP, this thing still has plenty of power and is satisfying to drive quickly. The intake sound amplifier also means the V6 really comes alive at higher RPMs - and it sounds quite nice! My only real gripes with this car have to do with the infotainment, which seems to have a lot of menus. The mouse-like controller can also take some getting used to - and I bet your passengers won't want to learn it. In addition, this thing rides well over most roads, but sometimes more broken pavement transmits some noise into the cabin than you might expect. The handling benefits of the suspension tuning as well as the composure on the highway far outweigh the slight downsides on crappy roads, for my taste - not to mention this thing is near-silent on any decent road anyway. All that said, this is a great small luxury car that seems designed to appeal to the enthusiast without overdoing it. If you're buying this car for a fun, engaging driving experience with some luxury touches, you won't be disappointed.

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 2020 Lexus IS 300, so we've included reviews for other years of the IS 300 since its last redesign.

See all 33 reviews of the Lexus IS 300

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2020 IS 300 Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$38,560
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$186/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 Beam: 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%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Lexus IS 300 Review

Price & Payment

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2020 Lexus IS 300Base Sedan

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2020 Lexus IS 300F SPORT Sedan

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2020 Lexus IS 300F SPORT Sedan

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2020 Lexus IS 300 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which IS 300 does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Lexus IS 300 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Lexus IS 300 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Fun 2 drive, poor technology

Back to Lexus

IS300 F Sport - stylish, fun, upscale

Smart Buy

2020 IS 300 Highlights

Safety

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2020 Lexus IS 300
Base Sedan

2020 Lexus IS 300
F SPORT Sedan

2020 Lexus IS 300
F SPORT Sedan

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}