While it's more of a personal sedan than a family hauler, the 2020 Lexus IS does many things well. Its tidy size allows it to maneuver through busy city streets and crowded parking garages, and it's sporty V6 engines and athletic suspension give it the ability to tame the twistiest mountain road. Although it's less nimble with the available all-wheel drive, that option does make it ideal for snow and mud.
We're not wild about the front-end styling, but if you're fine with it, the IS is a world-class small sedan in a league with the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4. Of course, it oozes Lexus quality. Oh, and in a pinch, it can serve a small family on the go.
Virtually every change is cosmetic. Lexus is introducing a new limited-edition Black Line Special Edition on all IS trims. It consists of special exterior colors, F Sport 18-in Black Vapor Chrome wheels, black Nuluxe interior with gray accents and indigo blue stitching, a heated indigo blue steering wheel and other unique accents. See the 2020 Lexus IS models for sale near you
$39,585-$45,370
The 2020 Lexus IS 300 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, developing 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. The sole transmission is an 8-speed automatic, and the car only comes with rear-wheel drive. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates fuel consumption at 22 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in combined driving.
The IS 300 AWD has a 6-speed automatic transmission connected to a standard all-wheel-drive system. The propulsion is supplied by a 3.5-liter V6 making 260 hp and 236 lb-ft. EPA figures are 19 mpg city/26 mpg hwy/22 mpg combined.
The IS 350 comes with either RWD and an 8-speed automatic transmission or AWD with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This has a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 that makes 311 hp and 277 lb-ft. of torque. With RWD, the consumption estimates are 20 mpg city/28 mpg hwy/22 mpg combined. With AWD, we're looking at 19 mpg city/26 mpg hwy/22 mpg combined.
The 2020 Lexus IS comes in 300 RWD, 300 AWD and 350 models. All prices include the $1,025 factory delivery charge
Standard equipment in the rear-drive IS 300 ($39,585) includes 17-in wheels, LED headlights/running lights/fog lights/tail lights, heated side mirrors, a powered sunroof, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, a manual tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, a self-dimming rearview mirror, 8-way power front seats (with power lumbar adjustment for the driver), premium vinyl upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity, a 7-in display, voice command capability, Siri Eyes Free and a 10-speaker 293-watt audio system with a CD player, HD/satellite radio and two USB ports.
Features are pretty much the same for the IS 300 AWD ($42,035) and the IS 350/350 AWD ($43,205/$45,370) except for the engines and a few other details like heated front seats in AWD versions. The IS 350 also gets 18-in wheels.
A Premium package brings heated/ventilated front seats. A Navigation package is eligible for the excellent 835-watt 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.
The Comfort package consists of blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, self-dimming side mirrors and a power-adjustable steering wheel.
Other options include adaptive headlights, triple-beam headlights, parking sensors front and rear, leather upholstery, wood trim, Enform Remote and a heated steering wheel.
All IS trims are eligible for the F Sport package ($3,195 FWD; $2,795 IS 300 AWD; $2,365 IS 350 AWD). This includes an all-mesh grille, 18-in wheels with wider tires at the rear (18x8 up front; 18x8.5 out back) and a choice of summer (high-performance) or all-season tires plus high-friction brake pads and a sportier suspension. It also includes a different front bumper design that removes the fog lights.
Interior F Sport features include front sport seats with extra lateral support and heated/ventilated functions, aluminum pedals, a black headliner, a perforated leather trim and a dedicated instrument cluster. There's even an engine sound amplifier (unavailable in the 4-cylinder IS 300 RWD) that brings a sportier V6 growl into the cabin.
The RWD version of the F Sport-equipped IS 350 comes with adaptive dampers. This variant can also come with a variable-ratio steering system, a limited-slip rear differential and powered adjustment for the steering wheel.
The trunk capacity is 10.8 cu ft., which is approximately enough for five pieces of aircraft carry-on luggage. For extra space, the rear seat backs can also split 60/40 and fold down, but not totally flat.
Standard safety equipment on the 2020 Lexus IS includes anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, traction/stability control and 10 airbags. Lexus Enform Safety Connect brings automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location and an emergency assistance call button.
The standard Lexus Safety System Plus includes adaptive cruise control, a forward-collision mitigation system that tightens the front seat belts and boosts braking power if necessary, a lane-departure warning system and intelligent high beams.
Among the options are front and rear parking sensors and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
In government crash tests, the Lexus IS 350 scored five out of five stars overall -- four for front impact protection, five for side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the IS its top rating of 'Good' in its main categories and made it a Top Safety Pick Plus.
Top-notch materials and superb attention to detail distinguish the interior. Every area where arms and elbows come into contact with the cabin is padded, and even the dashboard uses soft-touch materials. Comfort is a major plus point, both up front and in the back, where space is more than sufficient for a couple of adults.
The Remote Touch interface that comes with the navigation system isn't up to the same standard as the rest of the car's ergonomics. It's hard to control the cursor, especially when you're driving. At least the voice command function works well.
The turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine in the IS 300 is smooth enough to sit behind a Lexus grille, but it also brings a fair amount of punch. A dated transmission, heavy AWD and only 260 hp don't help the IS 300 AWD's case. The IS 350 has more vigor and, with RWD, a better transmission.
The ride quality earns the IS another gold star. It's refined and relaxed, yet also precise. The suspension of the F Sport package is naturally firmer, although the adaptive dampers in the rear-drive IS 350 F Sport model provide the best of both worlds.
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We think the RWD IS 300 will fulfill most people's requirements. Add the Comfort package (for the blind-spot monitoring system in particular) and, if possible, the ridiculously superb Mark Levinson audio setup. Find a 2020 Lexus IS for sale