2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT

Price Range: $59,520 - $64,020

Below Average

A smooth V8 and sporty handling are the 2025 Lexus IS 500 F Sport's strengths. But you'll also need to put up with the IS' dated tech and aging design. And as much as we enjoy the driving experience, rival luxury sedans offer more performance for equal or less money.Read full review

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$56,532

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Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in LA thru 9/21/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in Japan.

Pros

Smooth ride quality and comfortable front seats
Nimble and secure handling
Sweet-sounding V8 in the IS 500
More features for the money compared to German alternatives

Cons

Back seat is tight for the class
Lackluster acceleration from six-cylinder models
Limited storage and cargo space

What's new

Limited-edition package available for the car's 25th anniversary
Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

Updated: 9/22/2026

The 2025 Lexus IS is the brand's least expensive sedan and works as a sort of entry point to the brand. There is plenty to like about the IS. It both handles well and has a refined, comfortable ride. We also like its comfortable seats and the superior value proposition of the Lexus compared to all of its German competitors. Our complaints are limited to an infotainment system that lacks character and back seats that are too small.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Reese Counts

Below Average

5.1

out of 10

We drove the 2025 Lexus IS on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

7/10

How does the Lexus IS drive? The IS 500 feels like a throwback with its naturally aspirated engine and rear-wheel-drive layout. It's not as quick as some top-spec sport sedans; in Edmunds' testing, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Power delivery is smooth and linear, with loads of oomph all the way to redline. It sounds fantastic, especially compared to the clattery four-cylinder engines in some luxury sedans. The transmission is a letdown, with mediocre shifts and gearing that could be shortened for better throttle response.

The IS 500's suspension is tuned for sporty driving. It gives the IS a taut ride quality, but it's not so stiff that it'll beat you up. While brake fade and a slow transmission keep it from being a track car, it's quite good on a winding canyon road. The steering is quick and offers a decent amount of feedback, and the chassis and suspension feel nicely balanced.

All-around visibility is decent. The IS comes with a good lineup of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot warning. Their operation lacks the polish of the class leaders. For example, the adaptive cruise is slow to respond and leaves large gaps to the car ahead.

Comfort

6/10

2025 lexus is 500 f sport performance premium

How comfortable is the Lexus IS? The front seats don't have as many available adjustments as the seats in some other luxury sedans, but the basic shape is so good that you settle in quickly. The climate control system and the heated and ventilated seats work well to keep you comfortable. The car is quiet, too, though the IS 500's optional summer tires produce a bit more noise than we expect from a Lexus. Still, the wonderful exhaust note from the car's 5.0-liter V8 makes up for any complaints we have about excessive tire noise.

The driving position is excellent, with easy-to-reach controls, but the back seat remains one of the smallest in the class. Getting in and out is a squeeze for adults, and passengers approaching 6 feet tall will feel cramped. The infotainment system's touchpad controller can be distracting to use when you're searching for various on-screen menus or buttons, but thankfully the display's touchscreen serves as a helpful work-around.

The tight rear seat is a drawback when it comes to child safety seats too. There's not much space to move around when you're anchoring a seat, and larger rear-facing seats will likely force front passengers to scoot forward.

In-cabin tech

4.2/10

How’s the tech? The infotainment system uses a touchscreen interface, so controlling features such as the audio, navigation or standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is relatively simple. The IS features voice commands, too, though they're limited compared to some rival systems. We also wish Lexus would add some more USB ports, especially USB-C ports used by most smartphone cables these days. The Mark Levinson audio system is a real highlight and one of the best in this class. Great range and clarity, even at high volumes. Our ears would say it's well worth the upgrade.

Storage & cargo

4/10

How’s storage and cargo? The IS' trunk space is near the bottom of the class for volume, but it 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 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 besides under the armrest.

Value

5.5/10

Is the Lexus IS a good value? The IS 500's price is a big hurdle to overcome. It costs more than rivals such as the BMW M340i yet offers less performance, efficiency, tech and space. The V8 is fantastic, but it doesn't offer the performance to match the IS 500's price. Outside of the engine, the IS feels dated inside and out, no surprise since it's based on a platform that debuted more than a decade ago. The four-year/50,000-mile basic and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranties are better than the class average, so it's not all bad news. Lexus also includes four years of roadside assistance, and the first year of service visits are covered too.

MPG

3/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Lexus IS 500 has an EPA estimate of 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We saw 21.9 mpg on our testing route, which typically results in a few mpg above the combined rating. These are pretty poor figures for the class, where rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Audi have combined ratings that match the highway rating for the Lexus. This V8 is nice, but it's thirsty.

X factor

7/10

Lexus' smallest sedan can feel like a bit of an afterthought. The design is more than a decade old, and updating the headlights and taillights only goes so far. While it's not a bad-looking car, it looks dated compared to much newer rivals. It is fun to drive, though. Yes, it's not the quickest car in the world, but the engine is a real standout in this class. It's entertaining on a back road, too, thanks to its small footprint, rear-wheel-drive layout and sporty suspension that doesn't punish you. It's not a car for the track, but it won't leave you bored on a nice back road.

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2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT pricing in Baton Rouge, LA

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Deals & Buying Tips for the 2025 Lexus IS for October

New 2025 Lexus IS inventory is effectively gone, so skip the usual new-car haggling playbook and shop the used market instead.

There are just 7 new 2025 IS sedans left nationwide. That is extremely tight supply for new vehicles, and with no fresh shipments coming, finding your preferred trim or color will be tough.
Used supply looks much healthier, with about 407 used IS models listed nationwide and prices starting around $41,000 for a used car. That gives you far more selection than the remaining new stock.
On pricing, buyers were paying about $4,100 below MSRP on new IS models, or roughly 9% off, and there are no general customer rebates. In practice, that discount matters less now because the remaining new inventory is so scarce.
If you want the easiest used search, focus on the 350 F SPORT and 350 F SPORT Design. They have the deepest used supply, while the 500 trims are much harder to find.

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2025 Lexus IS trim level differences

The 2025 Lexus IS is available in three main models that are distinguished by their powertrains. These include the IS 300, IS 350 and IS 500 F Sport Performance. Compare the 2025 Lexus IS trim levels in-depth.

Which IS trim does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend the midrange IS 350. For a bit more money compared to the base trim, you get a noticeably more powerful engine and several additional features.

Competitors to consider

The 2025 Lexus IS has some pretty stiff competition. The BMW 3 Series is a more well-rounded sedan, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a tech tour de force. That said, both of those cars cost far more than the IS and grow even pricier with options. The IS does offer one thing none of the Germans do: V8 power from the IS 500 version. So if you really want a V8 in your compact sedan, the Lexus is your only choice.

Edmunds spotlight: The IS has old bones

Even though it looks modern, the IS is actually more than 10 years old now. The body that underpins the current IS was introduced way back in 2014. It's so old that the BMW 3 Series has seen two completely new generations in the time Lexus has been building this same IS platform. If you don't mind that, then the IS will likely be a fine option. For 2025, Lexus is releasing a Special Appearance package for the IS 500 F Sport to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Lexus IS. It includes bright yellow paint and BBS wheels. Lexus is only making 180 of these anniversary models.

Lexus IS Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

18 reviews

5(67%)

4(17%)

3(5%)

2(5%)

1(6%)

Owners Say

Overall, owner sentiment is mixed. Owners often like the car’s sharp style, comfy ride, and sporty feel. Some owners also say it looks great and is fun to drive. But others say the touchscreen and driver aids can be hard to use, and some wish it had more power and a roomier back seat.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 18 reviews of the Lexus IS

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2025 Lexus IS Features & Specs

Type:

500 F SPORT

Trim:

500 F SPORT Performance

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$59,520
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$290/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

Reliability

The 2025 Lexus IS has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2025 Lexus IS

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 6 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / 10,000 miles

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Safety

Key safety features on the IS include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	4 / 5
Driver	4 / 5
Passenger	4 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	9.5%

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	Good
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	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested

Research other IS years

FAQ

Is the Lexus IS a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 IS both on the road and at the track, giving it a 5.1 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the IS 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. Learn more

What's new in the 2025 Lexus IS?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Lexus IS:

Limited-edition package available for the car's 25th anniversary
Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2014

Learn more

Is the Lexus IS reliable?

To determine whether the Lexus IS is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the IS. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the IS's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2025 Lexus IS a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Lexus IS is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 IS and gave it a 5.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 IS is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2025 Lexus IS?

The least-expensive 2025 Lexus IS is the 2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $59,520.

Other versions include:

500 F SPORT Performance 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) which starts at $59,520
500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) which starts at $64,020