2021 Lexus IS 350
| MSRP | $46,610 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $41,735 |
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2021 Lexus IS 350 Review
- Ride quality is smooth and comfortable on bumpy roads
- Nimble and secure handling
- More features for the money compared to German alternatives
- Back seat is still tight for the class
- Lackluster acceleration for a six-cylinder luxury sedan
- Storage and cargo space are limited
- Restyled headlights, taillights and grille
- Handling improvements and new Dynamic Handling package on F Sport models
- Reworked tech interface features touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2013
The 2021 Lexus IS 350 is a V6-powered small luxury sedan that, along with the four-cylinder IS 300, competes against the best four-doors that the world has to offer. Before this year, we considered the IS 350 a solid choice in the segment thanks to its strong value statement, comfortable ride and eye-catching interior. However, its lack of driving refinement, clunky technology interface and small cabin kept it from running near the front of the pack.
The automaker is hitting a soft reset with the 2021 Lexus IS 350. The exterior is thoroughly overhauled with slim headlights, full-width taillights and redesigned rocker panels. Though it's still the same car underneath, the 2021 IS seeks to solve the most pressing problems. Among the changes are structural and suspension revisions and a much-needed rethink of the infotainment system. How well does it all come together? Should you get an IS 350 or stick with something like a BMW 3 Series? Read our in-depth Expert Rating evaluation below to help decide.
Our verdict | |
The Lexus IS 350 falls short of rivals when it comes to interior space and technology refinement. And while we do like the way the IS 350 rides and handles, the underpowered V6 engine limits how much fun you can really have driving. Still, high levels of comfort and lots of standard features help keep the IS 350 a viable pick for a small luxury sedan. | |
How does the IS 350 drive? | |
The Lexus IS 350 F Sport is a fun and nimble sport sedan that's let down by an underpowered engine. In Edmunds' testing, our rear-wheel-drive test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That's well off the pace of the class leaders, even the base four-cylinder variants. On the upside, this naturally aspirated V6 is silky smooth and builds power evenly from idle to redline. The transmission shifts gears a lot, but at least it's quick and smooth doing it. The IS' steering, brakes and overall handling are much more impressive than the engine. This luxury sedan is athletic and nimble, with responsive steering and a suspension that's firm enough to keep the car planted without feeling so stiff that midcorner bumps unsettle it. Our test vehicle included the optional adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential, both must-have options if you want to maximize the sportiness of your IS 350. | |
How comfortable is the IS 350? | |
The IS 350's optional adaptive suspension is well tuned. You feel the road, but it won't beat you up. Comfort is bolstered further by the seats. Adjustment is limited, but the basic shape is so good that you settle in quickly. The climate control as well as the heated and ventilated seats all work well to keep you comfortable, though the temperature adjustment slider is more cumbersome than necessary. It's quiet too, though the F Sport's optional summer tires produce a bit more noise than we expect from a Lexus. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The interior might look similar to last year's model, but there have been a handful of updates, most notably to the infotainment system. The much-maligned touchpad is still present, but you can avoid it completely by using the touchscreen. The user interface is generally the same, but it's much easier to navigate through the on-screen menus. Thankfully, Lexus has left the physical controls for the climate and media systems intact. That carryover interior has some downsides. The driving position is excellent, with decent all-around visibility and easy-to-reach controls, but the back seat remains one of the smallest in the class. Passengers approaching 6 feet tall will feel cramped, and getting in and out is a squeeze as well for adults. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The infotainment system now uses a touchscreen interface, so controlling features such as the audio, navigation or standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are relatively simple. The IS features voice commands, too, though they're limited compared to some rival systems. The IS comes with a suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring is standard too. That's a good lineup of features, but their operation lacks the polish of the class leaders. For example, the adaptive cruise is slow to respond and leaves large gaps between you and the car in front. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The IS 350's 10.8-cubic-foot trunk is near the bottom of the class for volume, though the space is wide and tall, making it more usable than the cargo areas in some rival sedans with superior on-paper specs. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, so you can expand the space further if you don't need the rear seats. Storage inside the cabin is really lacking. There's no good place to set your phone or sunglasses aside from under the armrest. The tight rear seat hurts when it comes to car seats too. There's not much space to move around when you anchor a seat in, and larger rear-facing seats will likely force front passengers to scoot forward. | |
How economical is the IS 350? | |
The rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS 350 F Sport, which is what we tested, gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's better than most rivals with six-cylinder engines. The IS 350's rating drops to 22 mpg with all-wheel drive. | |
Is the IS 350 a good value? | |
The Lexus IS 350 offers a lot of features at a relatively affordable price. There are a few buttons and controls inside that feel a bit cut-rate, but most of the car is solidly constructed. It's slower than most of the competition, but the V6-powered IS 350 is significantly less costly than other six-cylinder small luxury sedans. Lexus' warranty and ownership experience are slightly above average too. Lexus includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, and the powertrain gets a small improvement with six years/70,000 miles of coverage. If you do get stuck, the IS 350 comes with four years of roadside assistance. The first year of maintenance is also included. | |
Wildcard | |
The IS 350 F Sport has a distinct Japanese flair that helps it stand out in a crowd. The grille is still divisive, but we think it works well with the other design updates to the car's front and rear. The F Sport package does enough to give the IS 350 some purpose without looking gaudy or overwrought. The interior, too, features a design that you won't find on anything coming out of Germany. The design is backed by a generally fun-to-drive nature. Yes, it's slower than most rivals, but the IS 350 is pretty enjoyable on a winding road where raw horsepower is less of a factor. | |
Which IS 350 does Edmunds recommend?
Given that the IS 350 is only available in one trim that comes standard with a powerful V6 engine, we recommend improving other aspects of the car to match. Stick with the IS 350 F Sport RWD and its standard eight-speed automatic transmission, instead of all-wheel drive and a six-speed auto. With the savings, add the Dynamic Handling package. It includes an adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential for improved traction while cornering.
Lexus IS 350 models
The Lexus IS 350 is offered in a single trim level: the IS 350 F Sport. Its only available engine is a 3.5-liter V6 (311 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque). The related IS 300, which we review separately on Edmunds, comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder. The rear-wheel drive IS 350 comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the all-wheel-drive version has a six-speed automatic. Feature highlights include:
Save as much as $4,875 with Edmunds
2021 Lexus IS 350 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
F SPORT
3.5L 6cyl 8A
Edmunds Suggested Price$41,735
2 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Lexus IS 350.
Trending topics in reviews
- driving experience
- appearance
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- ride quality
- interior
- doors
- handling & steering
- infotainment system
- dashboard
- technology
- engine
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Love it!!
Anna-Kay Pinnock,
F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
You will fall in love with your purchase of this car. Drives smoothly to my liking and I feel very comfortable inside with the space.
5/5 stars, badass is fsport 350 2021
john m,
F SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
initially i was wondering if i’d like-but i love it-great looks and handling....who cares that it isn’t an audi , mb or bmw....it’s a lexus and it is an excellent car!
5/5 stars, Dumped my Tesla.
CalRecCenter,
F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Dumped my model 3 for the 2021 Lexus IS 350 with dynamic handling. For roughly the same price, the Lexus is hands down the better, nicer, sportier, and more luxurious ride. 5k miles so far an zero problems. Only complaint is that there’s no seat memory. Each time my wife drives my car, I find myself spending a few extra seconds trying to get my seat right.
I’d buy again if I had the choice.
5/5 stars, IS 350 F sport
Tam hunh,
F SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
I save $3,000 with autonation through Edmund
Safety
Our experts’ favorite IS 350 safety features:
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Monitors lane markings, warns you if you are drifting, and can even help steer the vehicle back into the lane of travel.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Helps you maintain a preset distance by adjusting the Lexus' 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.
Lexus IS 350 vs. the competition
2021 Lexus IS 350
2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia
Lexus IS 350 vs. Alfa Romeo Giulia
If you like sharp handling, chances are you'll love the Alfa Romeo Giulia. This is a luxury sedan that feels alive in the curves thanks to superb steering and responsive engines. The Giulia is not perfect, but recent improvements to technology and storage have made it slightly more useful than previous versions. Consider it the passion purchase in the class.
Lexus IS 350 vs. Audi A4
Call it spacious, handsome or comfortable — we simply call the A4 an exceptionally well-rounded luxury car. Audi hit nearly all of its marks, providing helpful tweaks over the years to keep the A4 looking and feeling fresh. The IS 350 is less expensive, but the A4 provides a more appealing combination of performance, comfort and technology.
Lexus IS 350 vs. Genesis G70
An under-the-radar choice for a luxury sedan is the Genesis G70. Like the IS 350, this sporty sedan benefits from excellent steering and handling. On top of that, its available turbocharged V6 is considerably more powerful than the IS 350's V6. Other advantages for the G70 include appealing value and a long warranty. The IS 350, however, is the more comfortable luxury sedan.
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FAQ
Is the Lexus IS 350 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 IS 350 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. You probably care about Lexus IS 350 fuel economy, so it's important to know that the IS 350 gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg to 23 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the IS 350 has 10.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Lexus IS 350. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Lexus IS 350?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Lexus IS 350:
- Restyled headlights, taillights and grille
- Handling improvements and new Dynamic Handling package on F Sport models
- Reworked tech interface features touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2013
Is the Lexus IS 350 reliable?
To determine whether the Lexus IS 350 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the IS 350. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the IS 350's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Lexus IS 350 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Lexus IS 350 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 IS 350 and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 IS 350 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Lexus IS 350?
The least-expensive 2021 Lexus IS 350 is the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $42,950.
Other versions include:
- F SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $42,950
- F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) which starts at $44,950
What are the different models of Lexus IS 350?
If you're interested in the Lexus IS 350, the next question is, which IS 350 model is right for you? IS 350 variants include F SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A), and F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A). For a full list of IS 350 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more