The 2026 Lexus IS 350 is becoming a rarity in today’s automotive market. This compact luxury sport sedan still has a naturally aspirated V6 engine and leans heavily on continuity and refinement rather than exciting performance or electrification. While many competitors have added turbocharged engines or hybrid powertrains, the IS 350 sticks with the familiar formula of a comfortable ride and excellent build quality.
Base Price: $49,950
As Tested: $57,658
Horsepower: 311
Mileage: 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined
For 2026, the IS lineup shrinks to just the IS 350 – gone are the IS 300 and V8-powered IS 500. This streamlined approach lets Lexus focus on a single, well-rounded sport sedan rather than a bunch of trims and powertrains. But it also means consumers don’t have as many choices.
The IS gets refreshed for the 2026 model year with updated exterior styling including a wider grille, sharper front fascia, and new wheel designs. Inside, the IS gets a redesigned cabin, which with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and updated Lexus Interface system and nicer materials and trim options.
But despite the updates, the IS is still based on a platform that goes back to 2014 and can feel dated when compared to offerings from other luxury brands.
There are two grades: F Sport Design and F Sport. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available. Starting prices are $46,895 for the IS 350 F Sport Design, $48,895 for the IS 350 F Sport Design AWD, $49,345 for the IS 350 F Sport and $51,345 for the IS 350 F Sport AWD.
A special appearance package is offered on F Sport models, limited to 350 units for North America. This package includes Hakugin Matte White exterior paint paired with a white and black interior. The package comes with 19-inch black BBS forged alloy wheels, triple-beam LED headlamps, and a moonroof. Additional standard features include the Handling Package, Intuitive Parking Assist, Panoramic View Monitor, Mark Levinson Audio, Power Rear Sunshade, and the Technology Package. A standard SmartAccess Key Card, unique carpet floor mats and key gloves complete this package.
The 2026 IS 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine producing 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission in rear-wheel-drive models or a six-speed automatic in all-wheel-drive versions.
Unlike many rivals that rely on turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the V6 delivers power smoothly and linearly, making for a refined driving experience. However, it lacks the low-end punch and efficiency of modern turbo engines. Steering and suspension have been retuned for 2026, providing a nice balance of handling and ride quality. As is usually the case in a Lexus, the Is 350 prioritizes comfort and composure over more exciting performance found in rivals such as the BMW 3 Series or Genesis G70.
Fuel economy is about average for a compact luxury sports sedan. EPA ratings for my IS 350 F Sport AWD test vehicle are 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. I got 23 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is one of the most improved areas for 2026. The center console is redesigned with two 12.3-inch screens, one for the digital gauge cluster and the other for the infotainment system. As you expect in a Lexus, the interior feels well-built with high-end materials and excellent fit and finish. My test vehicle has a snazzy red and black color scheme. While the cabin looks sharp, some drawbacks remain. Rear seat space is tight for adults, and cargo capacity is modest compared to rivals. Front seats, though, are roomy enough for taller adults and supportive, even on long trips.
The former clunky infotainment system gets the boot and is replaced with t 12.3-inch touchscreen with the updated Lexus interface system. This is a big improvement. The new system is user-friendly with logically arranged menus. There are plenty of physical buttons, too, making it easy to adjust audio and climate settings. The system includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and USB-C ports. A 10-speaker Lexus audio system is standard, and the available 17-speaker Mark Levinson system sounds awesome.
Cargo space is less than many rivals with just 10.8 cubic feet in the trunk. At least the opening is rather large.
The 2026 Lexus IS 350 is offered in a simplified lineup of trims:
IS 350 F SPORT Design – MSRP $46,895 for rear-wheel drive and $48,895 for AWD. This trim is probably the best value because it has a decent list of standard features.
- Standard 19-inch wheels
- LED headlights
- Proximity keyless entry
- Push-button start
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Eight-way power-adjustable front seats
- Heated front seats
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Navigation
- 10-speaker audio system
- HD Radio
- Satellite radio
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Bluetooth
IS 350 F SPORT – MSRP $49,345 for rear-wheel drive and $51,345 for AWD. This includes all of the standard features on the F Sport Design, plus:
- Sport-tuned suspension and upgraded handling
- Heated and ventilated sport seats with memory settings
- 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Four-way power-adjustable headrests
- Heated and leather-trimmed steering wheel
- Unique styling elements (red brake calipers, trim accents)
- Optional packages such as adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential
F SPORT Special Appearance Package (limited production model) – MSRP $60,090.
- Builds on the F SPORT trim
- Adds exclusive styling upgrades and unique design details
All F Sport models come standard with many driver assistance technologies, unlike some rivals where some of these features are optional:
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision warning
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Intersection assist
- Oncoming vehicle detection
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-centering assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Pedestrian detection
- Traffic-sign recognition
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Vehicle exit warning
Available driver assistance technologies include
- Surround-view camera system
- Front cross-traffic alert
- Lane-change assist
- Traffic-jam assist (controls braking, acceleration and steering at slow speeds)
- Reverse automatic emergency braking
- Parking assist
The good:
Distinctive looks, attractive styling
Smooth, naturally aspirated engine
Comfortable, composed ride
Excellent build quality
Improved tech and infotainment system
The not-so-good:
Aging platform
Limited trim variety
Performance not as engaging as some rivals
Tight second row
Modest cargo space
Pricing info:
My 2026 IS 350 F Sport test vehicle starts at $49,950. The panoramic view monitor, intuitive parking assist with auto braking and rear cross-traffic braking are $1,100. The power rear sunshade is $210. The F SPORT Handling Package is $700 and includes an adaptive variable suspension and drive mode select with Sport S/S+ and custom modes. The triple beam LED headlamps are $1,250. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio System is $1,120. The power moonroof is $1,100. The Technology Package is $620 and includes front cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, and traffic jam assist. The trunk mat, key glove, cargo net and wheel locks are $313. The delivery fee is $1,295, bringing the grand total to $57,658.
Bottom line:
The 2026 Lexus IS 350 sticks with the tried-and-true formula of a naturally-aspirated V6 and smooth, comfortable ride. While the IS 350 gets refreshed with updated styling tweaks and upgraded tech, its appeal is with drivers who want consistency and a classic experience instead of more dynamic handling and up-to-the-minute tech.
