The Lexus IS sports sedan competes with the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CT4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and other entry-level luxury sedans. In the age of the crossover, the release of a new sports sedan is becoming quite a special occasion. In fall 2020, Lexus announced an updated version of their IS350 F Sport sedan, and we took it for a test drive to see if it drives as nicely as it looks.
Reliable Performance:
Under the hood of the IS350 F Sport you’ll find a naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 engine generating 311-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. That beats out the BMW 330i (255hp), and lower end Mercedes-Benz C-Class (255hp), but falls just short of the Cadillac CT4-V, which manages 325hp.
The engine has a strong sound for a naturally aspirated V6 in the higher rev range. Even better than just sounding good, it’ll do 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 143 mph. The F Sport badge also gives you a drive mode selector and adaptive variable suspension, which helps you to get a smooth ride in any conditions. That 0-60 time is in line with entry-level offerings from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. However, we must keep in mind the IS350 F Sport is the most potent vehicle currently available in the IS lineup.
Stunning Sleek Exterior:
There is no escaping from the fact that the new IS350 F Sport looks the part. It’s covered in bold, impressive lines that frame an athletic build and stunning synergy of angular edges and sleek curves. Opting for the F Sport package gets you some nice additions to the exterior aesthetic, such as a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and 19” blacked-out alloy rims.
At the front end, the enlarged signature Lexus grille also creates a powerful presence that seems to dwarf the likes of the BMW kidney grille. It’s not just the grille, either. Both the front and rear lighting on the IS350 F Sport really pop. At the front you find impossibly stylish signature daytime running LED headlights in a more compact and subtle housing. At the rear, they’ve installed a rear LED taillight bar that spans the entire width of the car. In just about every way in terms of the exterior looks, this Lexus seems to outdo its closest opponents.
In the end, though, does the pleasing exterior looks of the IS350 F Sport, as well as its positive performance traits, do enough to set this sports sedan apart from the competition?
Where the Car Fails to Impress:
While the IS350 F Sport clearly has many attractive qualities, there are some aspects that have disappointed fans who were hoping for more. First of all, while its acceleration and speed may seem pleasing in themselves, they don’t compare well to competitors in the same segment, and that’s in spite of this Lexus doing well in terms of overall horsepower.
In addition, the 6-speed transmission on the AWD can only be described as “lackadaisical” in its performance. It does not speak to the apparently sporty and athletic build of the surrounding sedan at all.
Finally, one can’t help but feel rather underwhelmed by the interior of this Lexus. It’s not entirely bad news. The F Sport gets some nice touches such as very comfortable seats up front, a 10.3” infotainment screen, gloss black and brushed metal dash detailing, a digital instrument cluster display with “moving” speedometer, and an ash wood steering wheel surface finish.
These small points are positive, but overall it lacks the quality and finesse of its rivals, particularly its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to materials. Furthermore, the back seat space is very cramped, especially for anyone 5-ft 10” or taller. Headroom is limited and the door space itself is rather “compact,” making ingress rather a problem.
The infotainment system also feels dated and lacks user-friendly intuitiveness. Thankfully, they have integrated a touchscreen and Android Auto.
The Verdict: A Solid Sports Sedan, but Doesn’t Live Up to Full Promise
There’s no doubt at all that this Lexus IS350 F Sport is a solid sedan. The problem lies in the car’s inability to live up to its true potential, nor to the specification of many of its rivals. What’s a little disappointing is that in a sea of crossovers, Lexus had an opportunity to make this IS350 F sport a real “stand-out” model to help boost its brand profile against the likes of BMW and Mercedes. They’ve fallen short of that goal.
Having said that, it really looks the part and does have some nice features to it. The engine build quality is undeniable, and there’s no doubt in our minds that it will serve its owners reliably for many years ahead. Starting price on the F Sport version of the IS350 is $43,925, plus $2,000 for the AWD option.
