2021 Lexus IS

The 2021 Lexus IS price has gone up by nearly $500 at entry-level, with the IS 300 beginning at an MSRP of $39,000 in the USA. With AWD, the IS 300 will cost $41,000. Following this is the IS 350 F Sport at $42,900 and the IS 350 F Sport AWD at $44,900. These prices exclude a delivery and handling charge of $1,025, along with tax, licensing, and registration costs. The base Lexus IS will cost less than the BMW 3 Series, which begins at $41,250, but the Genesis G70 is more affordable with a starting price of $36,000.

Lexus loves to drone on about all of the subtle improvements it made to the 2021 IS, adjusting little details to make it more enjoyable to drive. The body is more rigid, there's less unsprung weight, and the coil springs are 20% lighter. But, if we're being honest, you likely won't notice any of these changes unless you are a skilled driver who just drove the new IS back-to-back with the old one. We tested the IS 350 F Sport with the Dynamic Handling Package, and it reminded us a bit too much of the last IS 350 that we reviewed. That isn't to say that there aren't elements to enjoy about the IS's driving experience.

For starters, if you just finished test driving a BMW or Mercedes and thought that both were too stiff, the compliant suspension (even on the F Sport) could be the antidote to heal your broken back. Lexus seems to understand that its F Sport customers spend far more time on the road than on a race track, so it tuned the suspension accordingly. The steering still feels quite natural and, at a brisk (but not racing) pace, the chassis still feels well-balanced. We particularly enjoyed the changes Lexus made to the Active Sound Control to make the wail of the V6 sound even more rampant. The turbocharged rivals may outspeed the IS, but Lexus still offers a sonorous V6. If you are the type of person who likes to drive in a hurry on bendy roads, we do recommend the Dynamic Handling Package. For $4,200 (or $3,800 on an AWD model), the package adds a variable suspension, Torsen limited-slip differential, and Sport + driving mode.

The 2021 Lexus IS looks fresher than before and, on the inside, it finally brings features that it's been sorely lacking for years. All in all, we'd say the IS is a successful facelift, but it would have felt more relevant two or three years ago. The competition in the compact luxury sedan segment is simply too good right now. Lexus seems to be making a value play with the IS, pricing it at $39,000 and lowering the price of the 350 F Sport model to a reasonable $42,900. There's still a problem though.

Several competitors cost less and can compete with the performance of the F Sport model even with two fewer cylinders. Options like the Genesis G70 and Volvo S60 undercut the Lexus on price, and offer more performance at the higher end. Lexus will still capture buyers who value the company's famed reliability and low running costs over the dice roll of the European brands, though customers who lease might want to take a chance elsewhere. There may be better overall options on the market, but following this update, the IS no longer feels like a car you have to settle for simply as a reliability play. It's handsome, comfortable, quick enough, and finally has technology that feels relevant in 2020. With an improved engine lineup, we could see the updated IS shining brightly.

For $3,900 more than the base model, we think the IS 350 F Sport is easily worth the upgrade at $42,900. We'd stick with rear-wheel-drive so as to not drop down to a six-speed automatic and we'd check the box on the Dynamic Handling Package for $4,200. The forged BBS wheels look phenomenal, especially when paired with the Infrared paint color. We'd then add the 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system separately for $1,080 since Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can handle navigation duties. As described, an IS 350 Sport rings in just below $50,000. Any more than this price and the German options feel like a better buy, though it's worth noting that the six-cylinder 3 Series and C-Class cost significantly more.

Starting at just $900 more than the IS, the bigger ES is a less sporty but more practical Lexus sedan. Although the IS actually offers a bit more leg- and headroom for the driver and front-seat passengers, the ES is a far better alternative for carrying passengers in the back, where it provides a massive seven inches of additional legroom and 2.3 inches more legroom. In the trunk, you'll find less space for luggage in the more compact IS. The greater sporty intent of the IS is evident when it comes to the base engine, where the ES is saddled with a rather lethargic 2.5-liter four-pot, but an available 302-hp V6 gets the ES closer in performance to the IS, despite being FWD. The ES rides beautifully, but nothing about it is especially sporty. If you prefer your luxury sedan with a bit more spark, the IS is for you, but the ES is far better for accommodating people and luggage.

Starting at over $50,000, the Lexus GS is an altogether more luxurious and practical luxury sedan than the IS. Sadly, Lexus discontinued the GS in August 2020 as sales of the large executive steadily declined. So, what does a used Lexus GS offer you over and above a brand new IS? Unlike the IS, the GS was only offered with a 311-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine. At 192.1 inches in length, the GS is a full 7.7 inches longer than the IS, but that means it has a much bigger trunk (18.2 cubic feet to just 10.8 cubes) and more rear-seat legroom. The GS is also more lavishly equipped than the IS, with standard features like a power moonroof, a power rear sunshade, and navigation with a 12.3-inch color screen. However, you can't buy a new one anymore and the fresh-faced IS is more enjoyable to drive, but if you need the extra space, an almost-new GS isn't a bad choice.