The 2021 Lexus IS starts at $39k

"LJ909" (lj909) 10/09/2020 at 12:28 • Filed to: 2021 Lexus IS, Lexus

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“All new” for 2021, the vulnerable IS gets a redesign that was much needed given competition from all sides that have constantly gotten better and a shrinking segment. More evolutionary than a complete makeover it gets a tweaked new front and rear facias along with a revitalized interior. Here is the pricing and options.

There are now just 2 models of the IS this time around spread across 2 engines, 2 transmissions and rear or AWD.

The base IS 300 gets powered by a 2.0L 241 horse I4 paired to an 8 speed auto. Lexus says it can run 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and gets a 21/31/25 combined mpg rating. The IS300 AWD does a 6.1 second 0-60 time with mileage ratings going down to 19/26/22 combined.

The one that you’ll probably want though is the IS350. It gets powered by the carryover 311 horse 3.5L V6 which has been with the IS since the 2nd gens debut in 2005. It does 0-60 in 5.6 seconds (weirdly .1 second slower with AWD) while getting 20/28/23 combined mpg rating. AWD lowers that to 19/26/22. Strangely, AWD models on both the 4 and 6 cylinder engines don’t get the 8 speed auto. They make do with just a 6 speed. Top speed on all models though regardless of engine and drive wheels is 143 mph.

The base IS300 starts at the aforementioned $39,000. There are 10 exterior colors for the IS and in typical Lexus luxury fashion they have names like Caviar and Iridium and Grecian Water. 3 of the colors are $425 options. The other 3 (Infrared, Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 and Ultra White) are only available on the F Sport. I stuck with Black, which Lexus calls Caviar.

Interior upholstery totals out to 8 split between faux leather Lexus calls NuLuxe of which there are 3 choices: Black with Black trim, Red & Black with Black trim & Caramel with Black trim; and actual leather (Black, Brown, Silver or Red) and are only reserved for the F Sport. So I stuck with the red faux leather.

Packages total out to 3:

Comfort Package $1,950 : Heated leather covered wheel, power moonroof, heated and cooled front seats, Black geometric dash trim.

Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package $2,750 : 1800 watt 17 speaker Mark Levinson audio system, machined aluminum control knobs, 10.3” touchscreen with Lexus nav system, the annoying Lexus touchpad and voice command with destination assist.

Navigation Package $1,670 : Pretty much the aforementioned package minus the audio system.

Of course you cant get all of these packages together as the last 2 conflicts because they are almost the same thing. Other than the 3 packages there are 5 individual options:

Triple beam LED headlights $1,250

Park assist with auto braking $600

Park assist with auto braking, rear pedestrian detection and panoramic view monitor $1,400

17 Speaker Mark Levinson Audio system $1,080

18” 5 split spoke alloy wheels on summer tires are no cost

If you’re like me, you see the redundancy and the obsolescence of built in nav systems. Given that you have a cell phone with either one or multiple navigation apps, along with all models coming standard with Android Auto, Apple Carplay and Amazon Alexa, paying extra for a nav system is dumb. So I just added the comfort package along with the audio system alone along with the LED headlights and parking assist system. With no accessories selected the IS300 rings in at $45,705; $47,705 with the same options and AWD.

Something I should have mentioned earlier and I didn’t discover until messing around with the build and price is that the V6 is only available on the F Sport this time around. So you cant get a non F Sport trimmed IS350. They go hand in hand. The IS350 F Sport starts at $42,900.

The F Sport gets the option of the aforementioned 3 specific colors while on the inside, upholstery choices aren’t standard leather. You would think for the upper trim you would get standard leather but nope. You get faux NuLuxe seating in F Sport specific color choices. If you want leather on the F Sport, that requires an F Sport specific option package (all other options are the same save for the power moonroof being its own option on the F Sport.). At $4,200 ($3,800 for some reason on the IS350 F Sport with AWD) its called the F Sport Dynamic Handling Package. It actually tries to turn the F Sport trim into something more than just all show and no go. It includes:

Drive mode select with Eco, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+ and custom modes

F Sport heated Ash Wood steering wheel

F Sport tuned adaptive variable suspension

F Sport 19" split 7 spoke forged alloy matte Black BBS wheels

Carbon Fiber rear spoiler

Torsen limited slip rear differential

Ash interior trim

For some reason on the IS350 F Sport AWD, the park assist packaging cant be selected with the handling package. Selecting it requires the selection of leather seating in either Red or Black. With every other option selected except nav, the IS350 F Sport rang in at $52,955; $53,755 with AWD.

The redesign of the IS is welcome and with its new feature it should stay competitive in the segment just by nature of it being a Lexus. But overall its a little underwhelming, riding on the same platform as before along with using an engine that is not only old but outgunned by everything in the segment.

fintail > LJ909 10/09/2020 at 12:57

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Still sponsored by Nike, yes!

Looks like the infotainment is at least 2017 spec now anyway.     I’ll still cling to my OEM navigation until I can make AA maps fill the entire screen (seems to be an issue on MB anyway).

Spanfeller is a twat > LJ909 10/09/2020 at 12:59

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weight plus closer gears on the eight speed box?

P5guy now GTIguy > LJ909 10/09/2020 at 13:01

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Looks great, but I'm disappointed that it's a heavy facelift and not a new thing. 

way2blu does a rev update > LJ909 10/09/2020 at 13:15

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This angle made me do a double take:

This layered whale-tail rear with a heckblende honestly looks great. They smoothed out the front end too. This looks way cleaner and more cohesive than the current BMW 3-series. I didn’t expect ever to make the Lexus vs BMW comparison in that direction, but here we are. They even maintained the upward fwoosh character line on the side panels toward the tail lights (best part of the previous IS sedan in my opinion.)

If this could be sold with a more powerful engine, like the twin turbo V6 from the LS sedan or *please* the 5.0-liter V8, I think it would be a top player. The 0-60 of 5.6 seconds on the fastest V6 is kind of pitiful when an M340i does it in 4 seconds flat. Heck, a base 2.0T Chevrolet Camaro is quicker for half the price.

Any word on curb weight for the 2.0T models? If it’s decently light it might a fun entry-level option too.

gettingoldercarguy > LJ909 10/09/2020 at 13:26

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Bangle butt lives on! Nice post, I’ll just disappointed in what they did. I wish they’d recreate the magic of the original is300. With sedan sales trending the way they are, I guess I should just be happy that they didn’t discontinue it.

Sovande > LJ909 10/09/2020 at 13:31

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It’s not a bad looking design, which is crazy to say about a Lexus , but the numbers for both engines kind of suck. Why is the mileage so bad with the 4? The upgraded engine doesn’t really scream performance either. And not having an 8 speed auto with the AWD just plain blows.

LJ909 > P5guy now GTIguy 10/09/2020 at 13:54

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Same. I think that might speak to Lexus sees this segment shrinking so they aren’t going to bother pouring money into it. 

LJ909 > way2blu does a rev update 10/09/2020 at 14:03

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I think the design works better than the previous IS as well. Here’s to hoping for an actual F again with a bigger or more powerful engine. But at this I think F is dead because I doubt the RC gets another generation. And like I pointed out, the V6 in the F Sport is old as hell and I don’t get why they haven’t don’t something to give it more power. And I don’t wanna sound like a fan boy but this another instance of the G70 being the clear choice in this segment.

Curb weight on the 4 cylinder models is 3715 and 3847 with AWD. 

Mid Engine > LJ909 10/09/2020 at 15:14

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that fucking grill.. kill it with fire

LJ909 > Sovande 10/09/2020 at 17:09

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Its nearly 3800 lbs on the 4 with rwd and nearly 3900 lbs with AWD and the 4. That has something to do with it I think

Nibby > fintail 10/09/2020 at 22:02

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interior looks dated already

fintail > Nibby 10/09/2020 at 22:22

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Surprised it doesn’t have that 1989 vintage cruise con trol switch they used forever.

Nibby > fintail 10/09/2020 at 22:41

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hah yeah i recall those

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 10/10/2020 at 17:29

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I think the word you’re looking for is venerable, not vulnerable. 

Friends don’t let friends buy cars with stupid touchpad infotainment controllers. 

LJ909 > Textured Soy Protein 10/10/2020 at 18:21

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Nah I know what word I used. Venerable would imply that the IS is almost legendary and held with respect. Its not. That’ s why I said “ gets a redesign that was much needed given competition from all sides that have constantly gotten better and a shrinking segment .....I.E, vulnerable.

But yes touchpads are terrible. Lexus touchpads are bad as well. They are honestly a distraction as you cant quickly do anything with them. Its just tech for techs sake. 

SmugAardvark > LJ909 10/11/2020 at 01:46

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That red interior... *chef’s kiss*

feather-throttle-not-hair > LJ909 10/11/2020 at 02:16

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Ugh and still that grille. I coincidentally just built one in the configurator a couple of hours ago. I like that you can get an LSD on the car if you option it right.

LJ909 > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/11/2020 at 03:06

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Yea but it just sucks you have to spend pretty much 50 grand to get it. 

feather-throttle-not-hair > LJ909 10/11/2020 at 12:17

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Agreed. If I’m spending $ 50K+ I personally am looking for more performance than this car offers anyway I suppose.

I do fantasize about lexus ownership though.  Just knowing the car won’t break down for pretty much ever would be a nice feeling.