2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT

How does the 500 F SPORT drive? The IS 500 feels like a bit of 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 — though it's certainly decent. The engine itself is a real highlight. Power delivery is smooth and linear, with loads of oomph all the way to redline. It sounds fantastic, too, especially compared to the clattery four-cylinder engines in some other luxury sedans. The transmission is a letdown, with mediocre shifts and gearing that could be shortened for better throttle response.

But it's not just about power. The IS 500's suspension is tuned for sporty driving. 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 nice and balanced. The rear-wheel-drive layout allows for a bit more play than you'd get with all-wheel-drive rivals.

How comfortable is the 500 F SPORT? The IS 500 comes with a firmer suspension setup than non-V8 IS models, though we wouldn't call it harsh. It gives the IS a taut ride quality, but it's not so stiff that it will beat you up when going over bumps. Sporty but balanced. 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.

How’s the interior? 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. 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.

How’s the storage? 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.

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.

Is the 500 F SPORT a good value? The IS 500's price is a big hurdle to overcome. It costs more than rivals such as the BMW M340i while offering 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. A four-year/50,000-mile basic and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty 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.

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 when 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.