2023 Lexus IS 500 Sedan Consumer Reviews
Pricing
F SPORT Performance (Most Popular) - $59,420 MSRP
Not a Porsche 922, and that's a good thing
BCWatty, 11/03/2023
2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I have been driving for nearly 50 years and have owned 53 vehicles. I have been a car enthusiast and have, therefore, not considered Lexus since "fun to drive" is at the top of my list. I finally ordered and obtained a Porsche 911 C2 18 months ago - it had always been my dream car and I took delivery at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. It is a beautiful and highly capable car, too capable for the likes of me. I had to drive it hard and fast to really enjoy it at criminal speeds. The transmission was telepathic when driven hard. Having invested such funds in a "toy" however, which I could not reasonably enjoy, weighed on me and I traded it for a Toyota GR86 while awaiting an allocation for a BMW M2 with manual transmission, which I thought would be more engaging than the 922 due to the manual. While awaiting the allocation, however, I found I really enjoyed the GR86 for 1/2 the price and it scratched my manual transmission itch. Since I am relatively old and creaky, I found that car was just too small and too uncomfortable. Since I am nearing retirement, I discerned I needed a car which I could trust when outside of the warranty period and that caused me to consider a Lexus and the IS 500. Since Hendrick in Charlotte does charge over MSRP when taking into account the few thousands of dollars of no-choice, no value add-ons like nitrogen, paint protection (not PPF), and such, I shopped the internet and found a new one in the South Florida for $$$$ of savings over local. I like this vehicle is a stealth performance car. It is comfortable, it is fast, it is beautiful, and it has a reasonable amount of utility. I like having buttons instead of having to dive into menus to operate the car - my wife's Tesla MYP is faster but MUCH less comfortable, and a hassle to adjust any setting. I am not going to track this car, so NOT being a full "F" is a benefit, not a detriment. It is fun, and everything is where it is supposed to be. I do like the sound of the engine, too. The eternal lament of, "they don't make 'em like they use to" is cured by this car - and that is for the better. I do not want or need a huge digital display. What same may deem "dated" is deemed "classic" to the likes of me. A fun, stealth car at 1/2 price of a 911! I can still run the Tail Of The Dragon in it, without holding up anyone. I have been through a bunch of cars, but now need a car to last beyond the warranty period. I think this may be a keeper. I am glad Lexus still gives the enthusiast this option. For now, they DO make 'em like they used to.
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No surprises if you do your homework
Richard, Vancouver, Canada, 12/05/2023
2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Lexus IS 500 in September, 2023 having reviewed all available YouTube tests, Car and Driver reviews etc, so I was familiar with all of the rants/criticisms. This was my first encounter with Lexus.I purchased the prepaid and extended warranty (40% off the cost of an AMG, my former car) and a nice set of P ZERO winter tires. There is an abundance of reviews on the IS 500 now so most buyers should be familiar with the pros/cons. My take: Cons *No electric folding mirrors which should have been included back in 2014 for IS models *No ability to raise or lower windows & open sunroof with the key from outside which is a nice feature on hot days *Tires should be 245 Front/275 Rear. This is an easy fix when the sub standard Bridgestones are worn * no wireless ( I don't care) Pros * love the hard button controls * Apple car play * touchscreen new for 2023 * highway mileage is surprisingly good for a V8 if you keep in prolonged Eco mode *great seats * service cost a fraction of Audi/BMW/MB *spare tire *nice dash cam * nice paint quality * steering weight is actually adjustable for sport ( journalists would not know this likely) *best looking four door period * engine/engine/engine>>>>! Could not be happier, now is a good time to buy as I got mine below sticker. This one will be a keeper.
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2023 Lexus IS 500 for sale near you
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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!
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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- Technology
- Performance
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- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value