2021 Lexus IS

Pros: Athletic handling; reasonably priced compared to German competition; cabin trim astutely blends luxury and sport

Cons: Limited interior space; aging powertrains; real leather upholstery not available

CG Says: The Lexus IS undergoes a revamp for 2021 that includes fresh styling, improved structural rigidity, and numerous chassis/suspension updates aimed at reducing unsprung weight for improved handling. Also new are several infotainment-system upgrades, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa functionality, as well as touchscreen interface in addition to the previous console-mounted touchpad controller.

The IS’s powertrains are carried over with no significant changes—the rear-wheel-drive IS 300 is powered by a 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. The all-wheel-drive IS 300 has a 260-hp 3.5-liter V6. The IS 350 is powered by a 311-hp 3.5-liter V6 in both rear- and all-wheel-drive form. Rear-drive ISes have an 8-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive cars have a 6-speed automatic.

Previously, the F Sport package—which adds unique trim, a sport exhaust system, and other sporty touches—was available on all IS versions. Now it comes standard on the IS 350, but is no longer offered on the IS 300.

Standard safety features on all IS models include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, emergency steering assist, blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, lane-tracing assist, rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Although the IS’s refresh for 2021 doesn’t bring it fully up to date—the aging powertrains are probably the car’s biggest weak point—the new infotainment interface and other updates are welcome additions that help keep this solid, well-built sport sedan relevant, and a good dollar value compared to its class competitors.