2021 Lexus IS 300 Review - More Than Meets the Eye?

[@アキュラ-p5j]

More than 7 years on and this design looks awesome, especially at night under the street lights.

[@mikemayers8672]

I guess they perfected it. They can make this I took the end of days 😂

[@av4513]

The editing in this video is phenomenal!

[@ivanjovanovic362]

Yeah...no.

[@MandusahRamirez]

Nobody is surpassing Lexus! We’re just used to them being that good. Toyota/Lexus is the best in quality

[@diegoluna5626]

idk if quality is the right word i wanna say reliability there’s sm outdated with the lexus but still a nice car

[@s.z.x.01]

Imagine Lexus IS exterior and Mercedes’ interior combined, ohhh yes

[@maddcrz]

low key that would be AMAZING

[@jimmysantadeo2031]

nothing beats mercedes interior 😉

[@AkiffHssn]

YESS 1000%✓

[@AntJoseph_]

Honestly the looks are top notch, in my opinion!

[@dirkcurritzki9585]

yes but the car is too old and still very expensive lol

[@MandusahRamirez]

@@dirkcurritzki9585 So is a Dodge Charger and Challenger but they still sell for 50 Grand! And their not even reliable

[@CTG4-b3x]

@@MandusahRamirez exactlyyyy lmao

[@AntJoseph_]

@@dean8367 well I guess there’s a thing called subjectiveness. You may want to look it out in a dictionary!

[@eleanormassaro5195]

I agree. I really like the small improvements on the exterior styling!

[@scottscott5827]

Those 2021 changes has given the IS the best looking front end, rear end and side profile of any sedan on the market. The 2022 IS500 will be here soon with 472 hp.

[@sasothestrategizer]

This review is the best I’ve seen for the vehicle. I kept asking myself will he show a 0-60 time and BOOM, here comes a 0-60 test. He broke down the details of the car in its base form. Great review Driving Sports TV. I actually liked that he had the base model.. Personally the body style looks handsome to me. I think the Lexus looks better than the Acura TLX, it’s just my honest opinion. But dammit Lexus takes so long to update their vehicles. It has the reliability factor, but that’s probably the best feature. This is not a 39K base price car. Maybe 37K to start. US base price.

[@grayponygt]

Definitely good enough for me! I just bought one and it is also the base model.

[@DeepFriedFrog516]

2 years later, how do you feel about the car?

[@grayponygt]

An excellent auto. I kept it a year and a half and traded it on the last ‘22 RX350L at the dealer. I traded because I needed more practicality. Watching my parents who are in their 80’s, trying to get in and out of it was a significant concern. The IS was extremely well built and had excellent refinement. It wasn’t fast off the line, but it had very good road manners. You did need to use the cruise control to avoid speeding.

[@john-danielmartin8753]

I honestly like the mirror effect when explaining the back seats lool

[@Smaug1]

Great job by the way. All the camera angles, great editing, the whole schmeer.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Come on Lexus, a limited slip differential should be standard on a RWD luxury car. In terms of engine choice, when the 3.5 V6 retires it is going to the hall of fame. I'm not sure the same can be said of this turbo 4. One last thing, the very fuel efficient Hybrid is also missing from our market.

[@henryi9738]

LSD only on IS 350 rwd

[@SergCarReviews]

Don't the states get the hybrid? Where are you? I just reviewed the IS300h here in Australia! They've done such a better job on it compared to the previous gen.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@SergCarReviews The IS is one of the few Toyota/Lexus Hybrids not sold in North America.

[@yousef.al-assaf]

@@SergCarReviews Nearly all RWD 350's have the top sport package and thus get the LSD...

[@carbonoxx]

ask yourself how many times do you floor 0-60 in the city??? does it really matter????? do u race at every stoplight?

[@ChorizoConHuevosEnTuBoca]

Yes i do

[@benoit.b9337]

It's not very often Japanese luxury cars have designs that look great as time passes. But this one has proven to be smooth so many years later.

[@ciello___8307]

they've updated the exterior a lot

[@Tully3674]

I had this same car for three days while my Lexus GS was in for service. I returned it for another car after the first day. Turbo lag was terrible. I was given a salesperson's IS350 (same engine as the car I own) and the difference was night and day. This IS350 felt more responsive then my GS. Nevertheless, as far as the IS is concerned, the IS300 I'd pass on w/ the turbo.

[@SergCarReviews]

I've just done a comparison video on the IS300 vs the Hybrid vs the V6 and by far nothing can beat the V6. The thing I've found for most people who are not power focused the IS300 is plenty for them, yes though it does still have the power lag off startup!

[@daveelhamid6364]

Yeah I think your bullshitting , did you really drive the is300 with the turbo , it’s honestly pretty decent , you do not get any type of lag unless your going up a very steep hill , on a regular road or highway you rarely get any lag, if you do get lag , you will not notice it whatsoever .

[@MartinFire13]

Is300 awd has the same V6 as the is350. It's extremely responsive. Never get a turbo engine

[@seikocitizenwatches]

Great looking and beautifully slow to the junkyard. Lexus rules!

[@quantttum]

I think it's a matter of perspective because you might think it's dated but I just believe it's a handsome design that doesn't need to be change which is similar to the Porsche 911 approach and when you talk about cheap materials you also got to take into consideration that the interior's from BMW Mercedes and Audi do tend to look cheap as well with all of the use of black plastic

[@TearBlood]

You sir just earned a new sub, loved the review😁

[@mikers73]

Curious how well the 6 speed transmission performs in the AWD version vs a TLX transmission in SH AWD

[@crabjay7086]

had some bad experience with my IS on the snow/blackice patch. IS is certainly not for speed unless you mod the car, but for some peace of the mind for the long hold... haha.

[@Chidoro41]

Well, there is something to be said for an engine and transmission that are bullet proof for 20 years and 300k miles. Doesn’t matter as much if you plan to trade it off in 6 years or less as most cars can handle that. Not sure where I will fall when I’m shopping again in a few months.

[@rightlanehog3151]

I think I would take the 3.5 V6 for the 300,000 mile test drive.

[@Lanefasts]

The rear cup holders are in the center arm rest... you push a latch on the front face and the spring out towards the front

[@drivingsports]

Not on our test car. We’re familiar with that set up and this one did not have it.

[@DLPTonyATL]

Fair review, nice video. Looking forward to your review of a fully loaded IS350 FSport RWD. Not interested in the AWD because the transmission is the old 6 speed.

[@Sportstouring]

Before buying our last 2 cars we tested the IS300 AWD, C300 4Matic and 330i XDrive. The driving dynamics, egonomics, space for adults, and performance were all factored in. Of course the feel for each car was subjective depending on the driver. My wife loved the BMW and C300 while we both agreed the IS300 was small, slow, cheap interior and hard on gas. It was not considered as a serious contender although the price was much lower. The C300 was very small in the backseat and the chrome dash was too juvenile looking. But it is a beautiful car and was smooth on the road. Leaving the BMW as the car we decided on. It has the best combination of performance (quick and fast), handling, comfort, luxury, quality, and fuel economy. There's a reason why the 3 series is the benchmark and has been for decades. 100% satisfied with this awesome car.

[@HK-gc7xz]

BMW and quality wont sit well in a sentence

[@Sportstouring]

You might want to start reading Consumer Reports. @@HK-gc7xz

[@Smaug1]

Your own money: This or a '22 WRX? That's quicker and probably better-handling, but maybe not as quiet or refined? 1:35 - A 5L V8 is also available. (maybe it wasn't when this was aired) 7:50 - The TLX has all those things available for close to this price: Adaptive suspension, AWD (at least they do now) Word is that it's not as "nice" though...

[@drivingsports]

The V8 wasn't out at the time of filming. For my own money I'd get the TLX.

[@klean1620]

A luxury car with the reliability of a Camry. Hard to pass up a package deal like this.

[@pierremartin9048]

I really don’t get all the fuss about 0 to 60, are we all racing to the next stoplight with our wife’s in the car. Must be my age.

[@user-vv3zs6en8p]

The rear view camera looked okay to me. If you’re going to criticize it and compare it to Mazda you should show how much better the Mazda is in this video .

[@clairekennedy8767]

I wish they would do more especially when BMW fully redesigned the 3 series

[@09ThunderOne]

But there ARE cupholders in the rear. They pop out the front of the armrest.

[@drivingsports]

I would have thought so too. Our test car did not have that.

[@09ThunderOne]

@@drivingsports that's so weird! I guess they will do anything to get people to upgrade to the F sport model then

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Lexus IS350, Acura TLX, Genesis G70. Very intriguing. 🤔 That’s not even counting Mazda and Infiniti’s efforts

[@DavidDLee]

Probably the only sporty *used* RWD to get, others will not be reliable, sporty or RWD. Pros: drives very well, 350F fast enough Cons: Interior is meh, Android Auto integration only starting 2021, meh fuel economy, competition is faster

[@LMMack]

Interesting, the outgoing model had rear armrest cup holders (I got a base trim 2108 IS300). Find it hard to believe that they would remove it...

[@SergCarReviews]

It's interesting, here in Australia its standard for all models...

[@henryi9738]

Never knew about Cafe Ladro, gotta try. BTW, good car review, thank you !

[@BLacknesmonstaz]

Noisy car, weak power and media interface sucks but handles nicely could be better. Needs F sport exhaust option annnnnnd V8 IS F !!!

[@ilgwent8061]

DA MOST SENSUAL SPORT SEDAN IN ITS CLASS AND BEYOND

[@firmamentglory5064]

The brand new lexus ls400 is what I want! Hope they reproduce it. The best looking lexus ever made by lexus

[@Boostedsuspects]

Is still take this car over an Acura since Acura’s tend to get clunky after a few 30K and they seem boring to drive even for regular commute and not nearly as attractive as the Lexus

[@YananoBere]

"They updated the exterior a little bit" LOL.... If this is a little bit then what on earth could be considered extensive?

[@jackryder6732]

No body can beat lexus quality. Only one brand can match, its Poursche

[@1quickster]

porsche doesn't sell as many vehicles as lexus. Porsche cost more

[@jakebush8886]

Can it take Regular gas or does it require Premium?

[@DavidTYoung]

Sadly they don’t sell this in Europe

[@shawnharris5823]

Have never understood the EXTREME focus on 0-60. Sufficient passing power? yes. Race car speeds on a normal road? Why?! This singular focus on racing speed ruined the review. And if you're going to focus on it...go to optimal DRY conditions, not a slightly wet road, which is next to the worst way to gauge speed. Really...try to focus on the car, not the racing, which it is clearly not built for.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Good Morning Ryan... I also think the IS lineup urgently needs a total redo. With that being said, Can you please tell me where you purchased your hoodie? Since you are obviously not going to give it to me, as these are the holidays and sharing is caring lol (j/k)

[@johnmartinez5472]

great vehicle-just got my second is350 fsport it’s hott

[@carlosrivera7274]

Camry TRD! Good video 👍🏼

[@normt430]

At 8:45 you'll remember about Toyota's Sudden Acdlerwtiin fiasco...it cut the engine power!

[@MsLouisVee]

I test drove one two days ago and bought it it’s awesome

[@Peace2dagawdz]

That car small as shit inside. No cup holders in the back . And that interior design is absolute subpar bullshit. Now the exterior design. flawless

[@cali1015]

Agreed!!!

[@WarriorsPhoto]

I am shocked to even find an IS300 video. Everyone is concentrating on the V8 model. (:

[@fahmindrawan]

Holy crap I didn't know you guys pay this much for Lexuses in in the states. A base 2023 IS 300 AWD is about 33,500 USD in Canada. Are cars generally more expensive down there or is it just luxury cars?

[@MandusahRamirez]

This has the same 0-60 as my 07 Lexus IS250 Automatic

[@natnut2008]

How does the 2021 Acura TLX compare vs the 2021 Lexus IS350 F-Sport?

[@jonburrows2684]

I'd go with the TLX myself. Wife picked Lexus.

[@Koldspt]

I just wished they continued to sell this model in the UK.

[@Xilent1]

Which model has the larger screen and Mark Levinson Sound System?

[@JD-kf2ki]

$45k for base model? 😳

[@TheAdventureAuto]

Those 0-60 starts were cringeworthy. I can't believe how slow it is off the line.

[@normt430]

At 8:45 you'll remember about Toyota's Sudden Acdlerwtiin fiasco...it cut the engine power!

[@veselingramatikov]

This car make sense only with 2.0 turbo or ISF max out.

[@ruzzelladrian907]

The front doesn't look ugly. How did they do it? Plastic surgery?

[@DarkRendition]

I went with the IS300 AWD because it comes with a naturally aspirated V6 and no fake engine noise. I got Pearl White paint with red leather. It’s very smooth, quiet and comfortable.

[@captvader3006]

How much are you paying for it? I’m interested in getting one but not sure if I should go lease or finance.

[@KYNQxEdz]

So is this just a rebadged is200t from 2016 ? I don't know why I was expecting a 3.0L turbo charged engine 🙄

[@Techjunkiero]

I test drove a entry 2025 model. Lexus hasn’t changed a thing since 2021. I absolutely love the looks but the driving experience and equipment was a big letdown compared to the Germans. In 2024. Yeah you got reliability but that’s it. The stance and drive position is perfect but the weak link is the transmission and the turbo lag. It can be a little hesitant to make a choice and then after the thinking time, sometimes makes the wrong one. Sad because I think this Lexus looks the best in its segment.

[@HotSizzleTV_]

Can you do the Lexus is350 f sport? And tlx sh a spec 2021 vs Lexus is350 f sport. Thanks great content. Crazy I’m in Seattle Washington I seen your in Kirkland 👍🏼👍🏼

[@balancemode4112]

The 2.0t and 3.5 should be standard LSD

[@jonburrows2684]

For the price, hell yeah.

[@KYNQxEdz]

What did you mean when you said the camera still uses analog ?

[@tommy13965]

Save the 15g’s and get the mazda3 turbo.

[@JesusTorres-bw3bn]

Crazy how the new Prius is about as fast as this car

[@mharro88]

What's with the 0-60 test? It's not a sports sedan

[@valvebuna7]

The Acura TLX is a v4 for $52,000 not v6. unless you buy the sport package for $58,000. Is Lexus for me every time buddy!!

[@VintageRKO]

This car just needs a new engine. A Turbo i6 would be great

[@pitiquis0697]

Back arm rest has cup holders. Mine has at least

[@zero2sixty244]

Lexus gave you the base to test?

[@irwinelgrande5350]

Geez, the Corolla SE does 0-60 in 7.3 secs with a lot less power than this

[@patrickfung1388]

i think your 1st and 2nd gear shift is wrong, should have shifted to 2nd gear as soon as u hit 3000 rpm

[@brettgoldsmith8584]

So basically, the TLX is better, but Oactually like the steering wheel's look better than the Alfa Romeo styling in the TLX

[@Darkhound11]

This guy was not hugged enough as a child.

[@Theone0611]

They’re doing 4 cylinders and rear drive in the IS300 now? I thought they did that only for the IS200.

[@carboydorifutoparty3976]

No. Even the 1st gen IS300 came rwd with 4 bangers also.

[@Theone0611]

@@carboydorifutoparty3976 I thought the first gen came with 2JZ and they made them 3.5L V6

[@carboydorifutoparty3976]

@@Theone0611 the first gen IS did come with a 2jz as the IS300(US market) They also had a IS200(1Gge 2.0L i6) so in the EU mainly. But they had a Toyota version sold in other countries named the altezza used in other markets with a 3sge named either RS200(3sge model)or AS200(1gge model). The 2nd gen mostly came with V6s and the ISF V8 model but didn't come with I4s like the 1st gen did(I think it had a diesel i4 but I can't remember). Now the current 3rd gen we have now they went back to it having 4 cylinders(8ar i4 and some other one)and 2 different V6s(obviously one of them is the 2gr V6) and a possible new V8 model named the IS500 if the rumors about it are true.

[@Tall-Cool-Drink]

I actually like is350 interior over the tlx.

[@abdulelahalansari6485]

Looks elegant car.. Is 300 turbo worth to get... Lexus is reliable car....... Ithink internal look beautiful....... End of the day its lexus

[@Sportstouring]

It's terrible

[@tonytouchz757]

Good review, was looking into this car but it’s definitively overpriced for what it is. Even the mazda3 for 20k less destroys it on all aspects 😢

[@boogie27896]

I was thinking about getting one of these but with such weak looking performance I guess my search continues

[@jayb4243]

Do they come in manual??

[@loser4cent]

Can we see how humans fit in the trunk for research purposes. Lmfao

[@germashepherddoglover6402]

Is this an Altezza??

[@menguardingtheirownwallets6791]

2.0L engine + Turbo? So basically, it has a Corolla engine, with a turbo added to it, for double the price of a Corolla SE? 0-60 = 7.5 seconds, while the Corolla does it in 9.0 seconds; that's not all that bad for a Corolla engine, if it had a Corolla price-tag on it. Here is my advice: Save your cash and go get a Honda Accord 2.0-Turbo; it has way better power and performance.

[@kenrigby355]

I leased one 3 weeks ago. I traded in my 2016 Acura TLX. I can honestly say I do like the way the TLX drives better than this one though. But I love the safety features on this car. Not really feeling the cruise control though

[@KodiBrehdon]

imho, bwm design lacks behind in the last few recent generations

[@FoYo1005]

Forget about the TLX. I would buy an Audi A4 if I wanted better all around, Alfa Romeo Guilia TI if I wanted more sporty, and Mazda 3 2.5T AWD for better value.

[@jjchockey]

This.

[@AFCompany]

Don’t buy an Alfa it will be in the shop for months at a time trust me.

[@FoYo1005]

@@AFCompany do you have more than anecdotal evidence? It seems like reliability concerns are most prevalent in the quadrifolio. Have you driven a Giulia to know if the driving experience would make you risk the reliability concerns?

[@AFCompany]

@@FoYo1005 yes I have two friends who own Alfa’s and I’ve driven them. Both drive well. I have no issues with how they drive. The Quadrifolio had horrible reliability and was in the shop for 3 months one time. It had to get an entirely new engine and the Quadrifolio they gave him as a loaner broke down as well. When he turned his lease back in they put the car up for auction. The Giulia has issues as well and is in the shop at least twice a year. Not anywhere near the extent of the Quadrifolio’s issues though. They are nice cars and drive well, but both friends expressed they wished they hadn’t got them.

[@AFCompany]

@@FoYo1005 to answer your question, although it drove well I’ve been in Audi’s and BMW’s that drive just as well without having much maintenance issues for at least 60k miles.

[@cloudies3671]

the base model of this car with no extra options comes with smaller infotainment system, no full LED lights head and tail and interior(still use halogen), No heated or ventilated seats. uses a turbo 4 cylinder , no sunroof, no rear usb, no cup holder in the back, smaller ugly wheels, no parking sensor. WTF are you paying for for 40k MSRP?????!!!!!!!!

[@paulbonifacio901]

The interior is the biggest let down for me! 😢😢😢

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

Well this makes me want to get a “Mazda”

[@lucky1206]

This is how dull this car is. Made by Toyota and put a L on the hood and it's automatically a luxury car. It seems like it takes a while for Toyota to make real changes to lexus it's stupid while they can look at a 2017 Camry as boring as that looked and in 2018 and add a red interior and a sharper look and there you go. If people were walking by they could not tell if this lexus came from 2015 or 2021 with the almost identical body

[@hassandawudi4810]

never understood drag racing a Lexus

[@killerkett]

new TLX or this ??

[@drivingsports]

TLX

[@killerkett]

@@drivingsports thanks man

[@МаринДимитров-ж6б]

Lexus is rock ! У меня 8лет дзель 1250000 нету проблем ! Спорт кар не буханка !

[@yandimorffi9820]

Lexus IS being left behind because they don’t want to spend money on interior

[@Peace2dagawdz]

Car is gorgeous. The interior is trash tho

[@mclovin5199]

acura type s will eat this

[@SINE382]

Will cost an extra 20k on this. This is a base model and engine. The type s better beat the 350f sport or id be disappointed

[@MercOne]

Oh boy, that is a really big load of BS from Lexus in an feeble attempt to prop up an ancient car. I really hope there is a turbo V6 or even V8 IS500 coming. Otherwise this admittedly gorgeous car, is irrelevant in it's class. It's completely outclassed and outdated.

[@XxXx-iq5dr]

oh

[@dazone]

It looks sexy from the outside...if you don't mind the 0-60.. my 25 years old car can do better :)

[@RMD992-f2n]

maybe if you lost 100lbs the car would get to 0-60 in the manufacturers suggested time.