2021 Lexus IS 350 Review

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.

Just like last year, the IS 350 packs a non-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque on tap. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on rear-wheel-drive models. (Selecting all-wheel drive swaps it for a six-speed auto.)

In Edmunds testing, a rear-drive IS 350 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is on the slow side for competing sport sedans. The numbers don't tell the full story, though, since the engine's quick responses and smooth power delivery translate to a very enjoyable driving experience. The IS feels faster than it is and expertly balances that sensation with a quiet confidence bolstered by a calm and refined ride quality.

Likewise, the brakes are powerful and have a reassuring pedal feel. Our F Sport tester with summer tires needed only 111 feet to come to a stop from 60 mph. After heavy use, the brakes remained strong and allowed the driver to control them with ease. We're most impressed with the IS 350's handling, which is no doubt enhanced by the optional Dynamic Handling package that adds adaptive dampers, forged BBS wheels and a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Though the IS 350 may not beat any of its German rivals on a racetrack, it will lift the spirits of even the most jaded of drivers. The engine's linear power delivery, trustworthy brakes, accurate steering and predictable handling all come together to deliver the kind of entertainment behind the wheel that exceeds the sum of its components.

Even with the improvements to handling, the IS 350's ride remains pleasantly smooth over road imperfections. That's further enhanced by the comfortable front sport seats that have enough cushioning to remain comfy after a few hours on the wheel. Slim and moderately sized adults will find those seats roomy enough, but larger occupants might find the side bolstering a bit too confining. The rear seats lack headroom for the average adult, while legroom and toe room are also only appropriate for smaller passengers. That said, this is typical for sport sedans in this class.

Road noise is dependent on the pavement surface. On some smoother roads, you'd struggle to hear the tires, but on coarser asphalt, it can be intrusive enough that you'd want to increase the volume on the stereo. Wind noise is blissfully absent, even at highway speeds.

Modifications to the 2021 IS 350's interior are minimal. The upper portion of the center console is finished in gloss black rather than the brushed-metal motif of the previous model, and interior trim offerings are revised. The switchgear looks and feels outdated, with rather generic rectangular buttons instead of the more bespoke-looking ones found in rivals. Rubberized vertical sliders do a terrible job of adjusting temperature settings, with inconsistent results that require the driver's full attention. Otherwise, the cabin impresses us with its use of quality materials and modern design.

The driver and front passenger fit snugly into the racy red sport seats that are wrapped in a very convincing leather substitute. The wide center console makes the cabin seem even narrower but doesn't really detract from lateral space.

Lexus' infotainment interface has been a sore spot for many years, but the 2021 IS 350 makes big improvements. The mouse-like controller has been replaced by a touchpad that is placed on the center console where the driver's hand would normally rest. This new system eliminates the on-screen cursor that made the prior Lexus system difficult to use. Instead, it uses directional swipes to select virtual buttons. For even easier control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and new touchscreen functionality makes using these applications even more intuitive.

The IS 350's advanced driving aids receive additional fine-tuning for 2021. The forward collision warning system can now detect pedestrians and bicyclists, and the lane-centering system more accurately identifies lane markers. The previously optional blind-spot monitor is now standard equipment. While on the road, all of these systems function well, and we noted just a few false alarms for lane departure when road stripes were faded. However, in tight parking spots and narrow driveways, the cacophony of beeps and proximity warnings can get tiresome.

One thing we never tired of was the 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system that provided powerful bass and crystal-clear highs. It may not be as impressive as similar systems in higher-priced Lexus vehicles, but it certainly stands out from other systems in this class.

Compared to the German sedans that include the BMW M340i, Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 and Audi S4, the Lexus IS 350 represents a relative bargain. Its $44,000 starting price undercuts the BMW or Benz by at least $10,000 and the Audi by about $6,000. That said, these rivals justify their higher price tags with better performance relative to the IS 350.

In terms of fuel economy, the IS 350 F Sport is estimated by the EPA to return 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway), which is comparable to the estimates for the Mercedes and Audi. The BMW M340i is rated at 26 mpg. On our regimented highway-heavy evaluation loop, the Lexus achieved 27.7 mpg, which is a solid result.

The Lexus IS 350 is offered in a single trim level. Besides items expected of any luxury sport sedan, standard feature highlights include:

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Amazon Alexa integration
• An instrument panel with sliding bezel
• Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of advanced safety features:
• Frontal collision mitigation
• Lane centering assist
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic high-beam control
• Traffic sign reader

Available options include:

• Sunroof
• Navigation system
• 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system
• Dynamic Handling package
• Surround-view camera system with parking sensors