Lexus IS Gets Third Facelift To Keep Aging Luxury Sedan Fresh For 2026

Lexus has taken the wraps off a brand new model of its IS, reaffirming its dedication to the sedan section regardless of consumers an increasing number of shifting in the direction of SUVs. The brand new compact sports activities sedan arrives as a 2026 mannequin and is definitely an replace of the present third-generation IS somewhat than a real redesign. It is the third such replace, as the present IS first arrived for the 2014 mannequin 12 months and was given related updates for the 2017 and 2021 mannequin years.

Given the age of the automotive and Lexus’s silence on plans for a successor, there have been rumors the IS nameplate was going through the axe altogether, or probably a substitute by an electrical automobile. It seems that is not the case, and the tip of manufacturing reported earlier this 12 months was solely the tip of the pre-facelift mannequin’s manufacturing. This new IS begins gross sales in early 2026 in most markets, although Lexus hasn’t confirmed whether or not that features the US. The model proven can be designed for world markets, although most of its options ought to be shared with US-delivered vehicles.

Updates On The Gentle Facet

The obvious visible change to the automotive is its new entrance fascia, which helps visually decrease the entrance of the automotive, additional accentuating the IS’s low middle of gravity and sporty stance. It additionally will increase the size of the automobile by about 0.4 inches.

The model proven is the F Sport, which provides a newly designed rear spoiler, in addition to new 19-inch aluminum wheels, amongst different tweaks – certainly one of which is purple brake calipers that includes the Lexus brand. A brand new exterior coloration – Neutrino Grey – has been added, bringing the full variety of paint choices to eight.

The inside sports activities a brand new sprint design that helps carry issues into the fashionable age. Though the format stays largely the identical, a outstanding central touchscreen show now sits according to a digital instrument cluster that Lexus has chosen to maintain inside a hooded cowl as an alternative of choosing a floating panel look. Each screens measure 12.3 inches, which is larger than earlier than.

There are nonetheless loads of bodily controls, too, together with on the steering wheel and in a strip containing toggle switches positioned beneath the central touchscreen. Lexus has additionally added a brand new trim possibility known as Solid Bamboo. This can be a sustainable materials constituted of bamboo fibers.

Two Grades At Launch

Lexus hasn’t mentioned a lot about mechanical adjustments however has confirmed a transforming of the IS’s steering for a smoother, extra pure really feel, because of a brand new electrical energy steering setup that adjusts to driving situations. The suspension has additionally been upgraded with dampers that react extra rapidly to bumps within the highway, making the automotive extra steady whereas preserving the trip comfy.

Confirmed grades embrace the hybrid IS300h and gas-only IS350. Each come commonplace with rear-wheel drive, whereas the IS350 has the choice of all-wheel drive. The present IS300h, which was by no means supplied within the US, pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electrical motor for a mixed output of about 220 horsepower, and one thing related is probably going for the brand new IS300h. An IS350 is presently supplied within the US and makes use of a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 311 hp, and this ought to be related for the brand new model.

Specs and pricing for the US can be introduced nearer to the market launch. The 2025 mannequin begins at $41,830 in IS 300 guise. Sadly, there’s been no point out of whether or not a V8 possibility will return. The present V8-powered IS 500 bows out in November, so there’s nonetheless time to snag one. Nonetheless, with this facelift, it provides us hope that the IS500 could but return for one more few years.

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