2023 Lexus IS 500 Consumer Reviews
Pricing
F SPORT Performance (Most Popular) - $59,420 MSRP
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 IS 500, so we've included reviews for other years of the IS 500 since its last redesign.
Amazing tribute to old school V8 muscle!
tommyboydmd, 03/05/2025
2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've been driving my '23 IS500 for slightly over 2 years now. So far, it's been typical carefree Lexus regarding operation and maintenance. Online reviewers have dinged this car for it's lack of advanced technology, but I actually appreciate how the car is lacking many of the latest tech features and the complex infotainment interface that seem to be the source of so much frustration (and so many repairs) in new automobiles today. In terms of driving experience, the IS500 strikes a nice balance of performance and comfort. While it will pin you to the seat during hard acceleration, it is also very livable as a daily driver, with plenty of room for 4 passengers. The seats are comfortable and the interior is luxuriously quiet. This vehicle is not a canyon carver, but it does have a fairly stable suspension that can be adjusted with the drive mode selector. Another area commonly cited as a shortcoming in the IS500 is the somewhat lazy 8-speed automatic transmission. It sometimes balks during downshifts and can be found gear searching at times during aggressive acceleration-deceleration sequences. Much of this can be mitigated using the aforementioned drive mode selector. Using the Sport S+ mode firms up the suspension and holds revs at higher rpm, which significantly improves the overall performance of the transmission. The IS500 does come equipped with paddle shifters, so there's always that as an alternative. It would be nice if Lexus put it's best 10-speed automatic in this car. The naturally aspirated V8 is surely the main draw to the IS500. It certainly was for me. It generates 472hp and sounds BEAUTIFUL doing it. It will do 0-60mph in around 4.5 seconds. Some owners have lamented the absence of an active exhaust to control exhaust sound, but I feel like any louder than stock would potentially become a neighbor arouser. I rank the upgraded Mark Levinson sound system as the 2nd most desirable feature on this vehicle after the engine. It absolutely kicks tail and I highly recommend it. If you grew up wanting/driving sports cars or American muscle, but you've now outgrown the sacrifices demanded by those driving experiences, I highly recommend the IS500 as the more refined method of getting your kicks!
Comfort over Sport.....
Gentleman7337, 04/07/2023
2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A)
2 of 7 people found this review helpful
I had this IS500 Premium for about 1,500 miles now. I was somewhat disappointed with the interior, no wireless phone charging for a $67,000 car! Lexus really missed it, no place to put your phone either! The V8 engine, performance & comfort are the reasons I bought this car. The V8 was fast but not fast enough, it slowly climb but it won’t peak until 5,000 rpm! That’s slow for a 5.0 V8, I expected a lot more power from a big engine tiny compact car. The 1,800 watt stereo is good, but not great. Interior of IS500 is old & disappointing. If it was not the Lexus reliability, I would not buy this car. If I do it again, I will buy a Mercedes AMG C43 or C63, I drove Mercedes SLC300 before, and Lexus is few notch below Mercedes in performance & handling. Overall, IS500 is more comfortable then performance. IS500 is faster than most car by a noise, but can not match the Mercedes, BMW or the best of the Chevy!
2023 Lexus IS 500 for sale near you
3 of 24 listings
- F SPORT Performance SedanMSRP: $63,594318 mi away
- F SPORT Performance SedanMSRP: $56,500431 mi away
- F SPORT Performance SedanMSRP: $61,868585 mi away
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Lexus IS 500 completely disappointed
Humble brag, 12/19/2021
2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Launch Edition 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 01/22 (5.0L 8cyl 8A)
12 of 66 people found this review helpful
Waited for 14 years for this launch and everything about getting it has made me so sad. First of all the dealers want a 18-24k over sticker mark up to purchase and they supposedly will order for you, then they want a deposit to hold the car that you have no clue if you will like. Finally, the launch edition arrived at a local dealership and ran to see the car of my dreams, what a disappointment, not what I was expecting at all… How can they expect people to pay 83k or more for this. It’s unbelievable
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Awesome feel
Meteoro, 08/18/2024
2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned different sports cars such as a BMW 320is, two different Corvettes, a Porsche 911 and a Mazda RX8. Is my first time owning a Lexus sports car: The IS 500 V8 sounds powerful and sublime. It accelerates with determination and soul. It gets to 100mph effortlessly. The car just feels smooth and powerful at the same time. I love to drive it in short trips on errands or long distance travel. My first time owning a Lexus IS F. I love it.
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Old school cool
DAYM..., 10/13/2024
2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
! Love this car for what it is a comfortable Sports car that rumbles, and with the right exhausts it will set you and the car free.
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