With the price of new vehicles on the rise, finding something that’s enjoyable to drive, filled with plenty of technology, impressive looks, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg means it’s time to look at luxury compact sedans. Start with the 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport, and you may not have to go any further to scratch your itch.
For 2026, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport gets another substantial refresh, including new exterior styling, a thoroughly updated cabin and improved steering.
For 2026, the IS gets another substantial refresh, including new exterior styling, a thoroughly updated cabin and improved steering and suspension. The result isn’t an entirely new car — the current-generation IS has been around for more than a decade — but Lexus has done enough to keep its compact sport sedan relevant.
Exterior Styling
Right away, the updated exterior grabs your attention. Lexus takes what was already an aggressive-looking sedan and sharpened it without completely abandoning the design that made the IS 350 recognizable.
Change starts, of course, with the new front end and its lower, wider appearance emphasizing the car’s rear-wheel-drive proportions and gives the IS a more planted stance. The redesigned lighting and grille treatment make the front of the car look more contemporary without mirroring an exaggerated grille that has become commonplace among the segment.
The IS 350 has always enjoyed a sleek, contemporary feel that begins with the long front hood that sits low without being too overdone.
The IS 350 has always enjoyed a sleek, contemporary feel that begins with the long front hood that sits low without being too overdone. From the side, the proportions communicate that there is a longitudinally mounted engine under the hood and power going to the rear wheels.
The F Sports enjoys an aggressive look with newly styled 19-inch lightweight aluminum wheels standard, while an available rear spoiler improves the car’s aerodynamic appearance — and, according to Lexus, its aerodynamic performance. Optional red brake calipers provide another visual cue that this isn’t an ordinary IS. Our tester came in Infrared with a palomino interior.
In-Car Technology
The heart of the IS 350 is three 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. It produces 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
The biggest improvement inside the 2026 IS 350 is technology. Previous versions of the IS were beginning to show their age, particularly in the infotainment department. Lexus finally resolves that problem with a 12.3-inch center-mounted touchscreen and the remote touchpad is gone. The new setup is easy to use and very intuitive.
Additionally, the digital instrument cluster has also grown to 12.3 inches, making viewing simpler and giving a more modern appearance while providing plenty of space for navigation inputs, vehicle information and performance data.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as is wireless charging. Lexus also offers a 10-speaker Premium Sound system, but you should upgrade to the impressive 17-speaker Mark Levinson system. The sound is clear and strong.
And while touchscreens dominate, you can still get climate functions with buttons and toggles to make it easier to watch the road while you make adjustments.
Lexus finally resolves the problem of an undersized screen with a 12.3-inch center-mounted touchscreen
Safety first
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is standard, bringing automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, road-sign recognition, automatic high beams and other driver-assistance features.
The result is a cabin that finally feels technologically appropriate for a modern luxury car while retaining the physical controls that make the IS pleasant to operate.
Some kinda show
The heart of the IS 350 is three 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. It produces 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel-drive models use an 8-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive versions get a 6-speed automatic. We enjoyed the AWD version.
Our tester came in Infrared with a palomino interior.
That’s right — no turbocharger and no supercharger. There is no waiting for boost to build. Instead, power delivery is linear, predictable and accompanied by the kind of smoothness that has become a Lexus trademark. Press pedal = car go.
For 2026, Lexus retuned the electric power steering and suspension systems with an emphasis on more linear responses and a stronger connection between driver inputs and vehicle behavior. The goal wasn’t simply to make the IS stiffer or more aggressive, but instead offer steering consistency, grip and control.
The result is a sedan that can be entertaining on a winding road without becoming punishing on a rough commute.
Would I?
The rear seats offer room for three but it’s really two adults or three smaller children.
The 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport is the silent option in the Lexus lineup. And it bucks a lot of what’s popular, such as no turbo and, no all-electric drivetrain. It’s a sedan that grows on me more and more is see it, sit in it, and drive it.
Starting at $48,895 for the 2026 IS 350 F Sport Design AWD in one current configuration, the IS isn’t inexpensive, but it occupies an increasingly unusual place in the market: a traditional, rear-wheel-drive-based luxury sport sedan with a naturally aspirated engine and genuine driving character.
The F Sport AWD kicks off at $51,345. It’s tough to ignore, but the all-new Lexus ES — especially the all-electric model — makes this a tough choice. But if you want something small, but luxurious for right at the mainstream average, this is a good place to start — and end.
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