Engineer's Review of the 2021 Lexus IS 350 AWD F Sport

[@AutomotivePress]

In a couple of weeks, I will be reviewing the new IS350 AWD even deeper, with more insights about its paint and body quality, advantage of IS's manufacturing methods from the Japanese factory, and other interesting info. Please stay tuned.

[@AutomotivePress]

Today, I just finished evaluating the Lexus IS's main competitor, the new 2021 Acura TLX... I know people have been asking me to compare the two. The two are similar in some ways, but also different - each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The TLX is larger, roomier, and perhaps more practical, but the Lexus IS has tighter body panel tolerances and a proven quality from the Kyushu factory in Japan. I will be compiling a full review soon and will share my thoughts on the Acura vs Lexus, so please keep an eye on this channel.

[@Cindyv26]

Can’t wait!!

[@AutomotivePress]

@@Cindyv26 I've now posted the Acura TLX review, please go and take a look!

[@AutomotivePress]

By the way, the new IS is built in award winning Tahara factory near Nagoya (used to be built in Kyushu). I've been to Tahara factory several times and always impressed by their dedication and commitment to quality, which shows in the new IS. The IS is built in the same factory as the Lexus LX, GX, among others. I plan to visit this factory again at some point when we are able to travel there.

[@jorgeson3586]

thanks for your posting, its so refreshing to see a car review that is not brochure reading.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! I realized that most car reviews are 80 to 90% about simple facts like power, fuel economy, etc all of which are available on the web and brochures, so I decided that I want to focus on sharing insights and wisdom that is not explained on the internet. Since I'm a professional automotive evaluation engineer, I enjoy evaluating these cars and sharing my honest experience so that you can figure out what the car is really about. Thanks again.

[@koblo]

Fantastic review man. I just purchased a 2021 is 350 fsport rwd based on this :) thank you for the effort.

[@AutomotivePress]

Congratulations! That's an amazing buy! The thing about the Lexus IS is that it will outlast all of its competitors because it's built in award-winning Toyota plant in Kyushu, Japan. This car is built like a tank and likely better made than 99% of the cars out there. It will give you many years of enjoyment!

[@isaacstacoify]

I'll never look at body panel gaps the same again after watching this.

[@AutomotivePress]

That's true! I always look at gaps all the time because of my background.... try visiting a Tesla showroom and do the gap thing (you might be shocked).

[@SergCarReviews]

I've just reviewed the IS350 as well and what a gorgeous car!! Your review is awesome and love that you went into full detail and especially being not biased as well and much more factual! 👍 Look forward to watching all your new reviews! Also maybe invest in a GoPro and Suction Cup, it will be awesome to see you drive and talk about the cars 😊

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! I tried to provide an honest, straight-forward opinion based on facts and engineering principles of automotive evaluation (which is my background). And thank you for the feedback - I've already invested into several cameras and my future reviews will show improvement for sure! I will keep improving!

[@SergCarReviews]

@@AutomotivePress that’s awesome mate!! Looking forward to watching them 😄

[@AutomotivePress]

@@SergCarReviews Thanks again!

[@AutomotivePress]

I just picked up the Lexus IS 350 again today, to have it for one whole week. I would like to share more insights about this car... please let me know by commenting below what you would like to know about this exciting car.

[@harishkrishnamurthy5610]

One of the best reviews. Thank you for being detailed and thorough. You should consider doing more such.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! I'm doing my best to provide an honest engineer's view of these cars. Yes I plan to upload a car review each week, so please keep watching!

[@yashuampolokeng1467]

Great video, it's the first video which actually shows the different effects that you would experience with the different drive modes. You gave very meaningful insight into the place of the IS amongst the competition, from an engineer's perspective. That was nice to see, and I could definitely notice your professional background (I have just completed my mechanical engineering degree); the structure of the video and the comparisons were typical of an engineer😂 Great video overall! Will be happy to see more Lexus reviews (I'm a huge fan of the brand and its design philosophy)

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! I am also a mechanical engineer and I designed, built and tested cars for a living so my reviews are reflective of what I used to do in the auto industry. The IS sport mode is marginally better in terms of handling/shifting/ride but in the sport + mode, it's much better and closer to the feeling of the Supra which I own. I would probably drive this car in the sport + mode all the time! Thank you again for your comments.

[@yashuampolokeng1467]

@@AutomotivePress thanks for the reply! Automotive engineering is a really interesting area in engineering, so I'm sure the work you did in vehicle development was really exciting. Yes, Sport + is the sharpest and it seems like a lot of fun driving it in that mode, even if you aren't driving too hard. Might just be bad for fuel economy😂 but definitely enjoyable. Your Supra must be super fun; that 6 cylinder is really powerful and efficient. It must be great to own. Being half Japanese, I've always had a keen love for good Japanese premium vehicles, although I also like BMWs.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@yashuampolokeng1467 Thank you for the message! There is nothing like working in the auto industry - it's the most exciting industry I think! I'm fortunate that I have an access to many cars as an automotive engineer/journalist and I'm also working as an automotive engineering consultant for car companies so I stay close to the industry. The Supra is a lot of fun and even though it's mostly BMW, it's a great product. I was born and raised in Japan by the way, so we share some common backgrounds!

[@AutomotivePress]

By the way, on further reflection I can say this: the sport mode makes the steering feel about 10% heavier/more road feel.... the sport + mode is about 20% heavier steering feel and faster response than the normal mode. The transmission shifts about 10% later in RPM in both modes. Hope this helps.

[@SergCarReviews]

@@AutomotivePress Its interesting you say that! I actually love putting the car into Customize mode and having the Engine in Normal whilst the Suspension in Sport.That way I can drive the car normally in traffic conditions without revving out the engine but when going around corners having a lot less sway :D And well done on the Supra!! Have driven it and have to say that is such an awesome car, a bit jealous almost 😂

[@ModernDayMixtapes]

Incredible video. Loved this!

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! Please keep watching as I plan to upload every week!

[@_.9S._]

This review is more honest than the rest that I've seen. Beautiful vehicle.

[@AutomotivePress]

Than you so much! I'm not sponsored by anyone and as an engineer, I just want to say exactly how I feel about cars - so that viewers can get an honest and authentic views of new cars and trucks. Thanks again for watching.

[@_.9S._]

@@AutomotivePress No problem. :)

[@prostaffersix.1182]

That’s a very informative review , especially on the body parts. Kudos to you David!

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much Jun!

[@discoverymotortrend1003]

Fantastic engineering POV review. Any chance you can do the same in-depth automotive engineering review of the Mazda 6 turbo please? As well go over the engine & power train in terms of reliability engineering. Thanks

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much for your positive comment! Let me see what I can do to access other cars including the Mazda 6 turbo, and also cover more details on the IS. I will do my best... please keep watching!

[@DLPTonyATL]

I have a '16 IS350 FSport RWD, so I'm interested in every review 2021-wise. I have to say, the beginning of the review was AMAZING! I loved how you pointed out the build quality in such detail. However, watching the rest of the video was a bit challenging for me. For one, the wet windshield for most of the video was distracting. For two, driving around in circles...not the best. You have the makings of a great reviewer, tighten up on a few items please.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much for very helpful feedback. I am getting this car again next month and I promise to upload a proper review with much better video quality. Although I have 30 years experience in car evaluation, I'm still learning youtube so your comments are extremely helpful. I will keep improving my delivery and video! Please keep watching and help me improve! Thanks again.

[@DLPTonyATL]

@@AutomotivePress Will do. Best of luck!

[@AutomotivePress]

@@DLPTonyATL Thank you!

[@AutomotivePress]

What else would you like to know about this vehicle? Please let me know by commenting below and I will do my best to respond to your questions.

[@stephendibari5010]

i love this 2021 IS350. i have a 2002 ES300 w 181k miles. i’m the 2nd owner and it’s my baby. solid like a tank and quiet like a vault. my other baby is my new to me (April 2023) 1999 corvette C5 Hardtop w only 20k miles. still smells new inside and is in pristine condition garage kept. i can’t decide if i should sell my C5 or trade/swap back my C5 to the dealership and get a 2014 to 2016 IS350 or wait 3 years when my C5 is paid off and get a 2021 IS350

[@michaellim2830]

I really enjoy how you add a unique perspective as an engineer instead of rattling off specs from a brochure. I’m in the market for a car from this segment. I really want a bmw 3 series, but I’m terrified of the future problems that can crop up. Even though the IS is outdated and outclassed by the 3 series, I’m think of ‘settling’ for it purely for the reliability. What are your thoughts? Also, fantastic video. You’ve earned a subscriber!

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much for subscribing and your comment! I know it's really hard to decide between the "latest car" and the "proven car." You might want to test drive both cars back to back, 2 to 3 times, before deciding. I think the IS has a slightly better steering feel and it's not as outdated as you think. Yes the 3-series is definitely more up to date, but after owning a car for several months, you tend to forget about those things. It's always the ride and the feel that determine whether you will be happy driving, and I think the IS is very good in that regard. But if you still like the BMW 3, just get an extended warranty and that way you can keep the car for 4 to 6 years without worry. At some point, you will likely want to change it because beyond 5 years, BMWs are not very reliable. The 3-series definitely look nicer. Another option is to wait for the Acura TLX Type S, that one might be the best one in terms of having the latest gadget and features while still providing good feel and reliability. Just don't forget that TLX is still built in the US while the Lexus IS is built in Japan. Good luck with your decision and exciting purchase!

[@michaellim2830]

@@AutomotivePress Hi, thanks so much for your in-depth reply! I’ll definitely test drive them back to back to get a good feel of them. And like you said, it’s not all about having the latest and greatest, the most important thing is how the car feels. I’m looking forward to your next video on the IS (and other ones)!

[@AutomotivePress]

@@michaellim2830 You're very welcome! I'm going to have the IS again in a few weeks, and will do a bit more indepth discussion on that car. Best wishes in your car buying process!

[@En_Gho]

I own a 2019 IS 300 F Sport and I have never been happier with any other car in my life. I am a lifelong supporter of Lexus. My next car will also be a Lexus.

[@AutomotivePress]

Lexus definitely builds loyalty! Customers like yourself is the reason why Lexus outperfoms other brands in terms of customer retention. I wish you much success in your life and wish you the best with your IS!

[@kewl820607]

liked ur video keep them coming do one on ES F Sport too

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you! I will keep reviews coming your way! If I can access the ES F-sport, will definitely do a review on that too!

[@ModernDayMixtapes]

@@AutomotivePress GS F-Sport too! :D

[@AutomotivePress]

@@ModernDayMixtapes I will do my best to access those cars in the future!

[@ndenkha]

The new IS fully loaded is the same price as the outgoing GS 350 F sport, but with cheap interior materials. Check the door panels and the dash to those of the GS. It's a shame that they've increased the price but giving the customer less for their money.

[@AutomotivePress]

Both Lexus IS and GS are made in Japan (IS in Kyushu, GS in Tahara plant - I've been to both factories), so the quality is top notch. But the design of the IS is definitely outdated inside... and so perhaps it looks a tad cheaper than the GS. I think it''s mainly because it has the older design and therefore older looking materials in the IS compared to the GS. Again, it's too bad the GS has been discontinued. Toyota should just bring the legendary Toyota Crown to North America and sell that as the new GS.

[@xFlared]

I personally love GS way more than IS. I'm bummed they stopped production. If my infiniti every drops dead I'll definitely be stalking the last year GS350.

[@AutomotivePress]

Yes the GS is a beautiful car, and much more "mature" and refined than the IS. It's too bad the demand has gone down so much, most people want to buy SUV these days. You should definitely grab the last of the GS before it's gone.

[@santillbrezon2161]

The CD player is a good thing for Australia, because of the long distances and vastness, reception drops out with the modern technology, so a person can play a CD. The CD player is still handy.

[@danjenkins2064]

I wish they made this in the size of the GS. I need something just a little bigger.

[@AutomotivePress]

Good point... you can still pickup a new or almost new GS in Lexus dealers if you look around. But yes, Lexus doesn't have anything with nimble handling of this new IS in the GS size. You can try the Lexus ES F-sport and while it's not as sporty as the IS, it's actually quite nice. Another choice is the Toyota Avalon - it's surprisingly sporty to drive.

[@AutomotivePress]

And ultimately, if you can find a used GS F, that would be amazing but it's almost impossible to find a used GS F and they are still very expensive too

[@hsl2208]

have u checked out the new avalon XSE trim? i’ve heard it’s somewhat comparable to the GS platform (as close as FWD can get at least lol)

[@AutomotivePress]

@@hsl2208 Yes I drove the Avalon XSE and it's surprisingly agile and sporty. In fact, I would say that the Avalon XSE is more fun to drive than the regular GS. Toyota also offers AWD version of the Avalon now for 2021.

[@hsl2208]

@@AutomotivePress i’m actually going to be inheriting my moms 2013 hybrid limited, it already has 130k+ miles miles so i’ll probably only be driving it for a couple years before selling it. would u say the NA V6 XSE is a good upgrade? hopefully within the next few years they’ll depreciate enough for me to pick one up for a reasonable price🤲🏽

[@KruzAlonso]

What do you think of lexus turbo reliability particularly for the IS?

[@AutomotivePress]

The turbo 2.0 litre is only available on the base IS 300, but anyways it is very reliable. This is a proven engine and I believe it will remain reliable for many years.

[@KruzAlonso]

@@AutomotivePress do you believe that some car reviewers saying that we should not buy a turbocharged car as it is unreliable and difficult to maintain? I already ordered mine for the base IS300 2.0 4 cylinder turbocharge model. As this is my first turbocharged car, I’m slightly worried of its reliability. I have my honda civic FD2 that I bought in 2010 that is naturally aspirated. So far there isn’t any major concern of this naturally aspirated engine.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@KruzAlonso You absolutely do not have to worry about today's modern engines with turbochargers. They are just as reliable as naturally aspirated engines. And the IS's turbo-four is already a proven engine with many years of refinement done. As an automotive engineer, I can tell you that it's much more important to do things like frequent oil changes and proper maintenance in terms of keeping turbo engines running for many years. Take care of the engine, and it will last a long long time.

[@AutomotivePress]

Reviewers who are saying these things are simply remembering the "bad old days" when turbo's were unreliable. This simply isn't true today. There are other things like the infotainment system/other electronics that will likely fail before the engine goes.

[@KruzAlonso]

@@AutomotivePress thank you for the kind reply. This is probably unrelated question but my 2010 honda civic FD car had this piston ‘jammed’. It happened twice for the past ten years. I went for servicing and thought the problem was completely gone but it was not. Do you know what cause it? And how to prevent it from happening in the future? I tried to google it but I didn’t understand. The way you answered my previous questions were very clear and articulate and your background of automative engineering was really helpful.

[@eijiroinouye4115]

Great review sir. Some reviews just say how outdated the IS has become. You focus on build quality rather than just horsepower and gadgets. Remember, looks fade, quality does not. Years from now Consumer Reports will give this car high satisfaction ratings.

[@AutomotivePress]

Yes I know... too many car reviewers are spending too much time about latest gadgets and tech when most owner satisfaction surveys show that it's the driving feel and overall quality that determine the satisfaction level. In another words, cars that are reliable (no matter even if it's a bit outdated) will always get happier owners over the long run.

[@eijiroinouye4115]

Anyways, could more horsepower be added by Lexus down the road?

[@AutomotivePress]

@@eijiroinouye4115 There is a possibility that Lexus will introduce the IS F with much more power, but I'm 99% sure that they won't upgrade the current version of the IS with more power, until the all-new version that will come out in a few years.

[@ahmedgaming7677]

Hi automotivepress, I need your help making a decision, I am on the market for a new vehicle, I have been looking at the 2021 acura tlx and the 2021 lexus is 350. Which will you recommend

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you for posting a question. The new 2021 Acura TLX is a full redesign, all new with state-of-the art features. It is bigger, roomier, with more power and more features than the Lexus IS. So at least on paper, the TLX looks like a better buy... but the TLX is so new that we don't know yet about its reliability (which shouldn't be a problem since it's a Honda) or how it would "age" over time. The Lexus IS, on the other hand, has aged well and it's a proven model, with a world-class reliability. The Lexus is built in Japan, the Acura is built in the US. So I would say that if you want something proven and you want a Japan-built car, the Lexus may have an edge. But as an overall comment, there is no doubt that the TLX offers more for the money, simply because it's a newer car with newer tech and features, and it's a larger car. I'm evaluating the Acura TLX in a week or so, should I will be able to give you a more detailed opinion at that time. I hope this helps with your decision. The easiest way to figure this out, by the way, is to test drive both cars back to back (within 1 hour) 2 to 3 times under different conditions (rain, sun, day, evening). If you do that, you will know which car you like better.

[@ahmedgaming7677]

@@AutomotivePress Thank you very much, I really appreciate it, to that point my wife wants me to get the lexus instead of the acura, I like the acura but the downside is the fact that it's turbo charged engine, not so much a fan of turbo engines. But I will definitely test drive both cars and see how they both perform. Thanks again.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@ahmedgaming7677 You're very welcome! Sometimes it's best to let your heart make a decision vs the head (experience/feeling vs logic/facts) because over time, it's the feeling of the car that ultimately determines if you are happy with the purchase. So if you test drive 2 to 3 times, at least 15 min each, your heart will tell you which one to buy!

[@closg9309]

IS was refreshed in 2017, I know because I owned one. This 2021 is a refresh of the refresh with same old engine from 2008. Let’s hope the IS500 is somewhat affordable to compete with G70 3.3t and Q50 Red Sport

[@AutomotivePress]

I also look forward to driving the IS 500. But you might want to keep in mind that the suspension and steering were vastly revised and the car handles quite different from the previous refresh. I was very impressed with the driving character. I did another video explain this.

[@OverclockedT]

I like how the right side taillight is a J for Jexus

[@Wisefredo]

Do you think the Dynamic Handling Package is a "must have" for this car? BTW- your reviews are my favorite. Excellent work.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! I think it's worth it because it's the only way to get SPORT+ Mode which provides fantastic steering feel. You also get the variable adaptive suspension which provides a really good suspension control. I think this option is what makes IS perform at top level.

[@Wisefredo]

@@AutomotivePress I heard a rumor that the 22' IS350 may be upgraded with a twin turbo v6. Have you heard about this?

[@AutomotivePress]

@@Wisefredo Now that the IS 500 is released, I don't think Lexus will bring any more surprises to the IS. The twin turbo is likely for the next generation IS, which is still 2 to 3 years away.

[@Wisefredo]

@@AutomotivePress So no "IS-F"? I for one love the v8. I hope you can review it soon. However, I can see the IS-F crowd being really bothered about not having that option.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@Wisefredo As you know, Lexus introduced the IS 500 which has the V-8 engine from the previous IS F. But the reason why this model is not the IS F is because it doesn't have all of the modifications that normally "F" model would get. I don't think Lexus will introduce the full IS F version now that they have released the IS 500 F performance. Both models cannot co-exist because it's too close to each other in performance.

[@emilemouannes2236]

I am thankful that lexus still includes a CD player. I am also a millennial.

[@MohamedQureshi]

May God have mercy on you, you warmed my heart when you said that she is compared to Porsha 😅 Could you please answer the question of car reliability? I drive fast and driving is the most important thing to me. reliability. Will the car be able to withstand his 170,000 miles on his Voc? Will it be as reliable as, say, a Lexus? I like it so much that I'm concerned about its reliability and high price . So what do you think? Is it reliable? Which one is better? In all respects, especially when it comes to reliability and driving feel, there is a LEXUS IS and a BMW G20 and how do they differ? I'm sorry for the inconvenience. thank you.

[@cristhianosorio3043]

A blind man can see this video and imagine it in there mind. Great vid

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment!

[@MikeyD8632]

So many haters about this car. It's incredible. Best looking and most reliable. If you keep your cars buy a lexus. I love it

[@jbm0866]

Here we are nearly 3 years later and Lexus hasnt made any signifcant updates, but thats ok with me. If they switch the IS to the latest TNGA platform it likely loses the double wishbone front suspension and to me McPherson struts would be a downgrade.

[@PreparationdobleH]

Excellent review 👌

[@iceverything2000]

"Hi, I have the same car as shown in the video, and I see that you're in Vancouver. I'm also based in Vancouver, and I was wondering if you know of any shops similar to The Car Care Nut-ones that really care about Toyotas and follow proper maintenance procedures. I'm particularly looking for a shop that is highly ethical and knowledgeable. Thanks for your time!"

[@jbm0866]

Sooo disappointed in the test drive around the neighborhood (lot of people out in the rain lol) when you could have gone somewhere to let her rip so we could hear that beautiful V6 sing. This type weather is what the AWD on the IS is made for, you could have taken a fairly tight corner at near dry weather speed.

[@AutomotivePress]

I've now uploaded a new episode on the IS 350 about its driving feel. Lexus has been "boasting" about the IS 350's driving capability through its new development/testing center in Japan - so is it really a great car to drive? Please take a look at my updated video which talks about the IS 350's driving character and its steering feel compared to its competition. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ_OlnmZa5uZirM

[@JJS432]

Great video, those panel gaps are perfect. Going to check my Honda now if it’s the same lol.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thanks! Honda's should be just as good as Toyota's although it depends on where they are produced. Honda's factories in North American and Japan are almost at the same level of quality, so you should find the gaps very narrow and consistent.

[@jimbo7042]

Your what? I've never heard of comparison like that in my whole entire life. I'm not even sure how you yourself would even fathom such a comparison

[@jimbo7042]

Actually that's such a bad comparison that I even thought about selling my Lexus

[@AutomotivePress]

I'm not quite sure what you are referring to, but in the field of automotive evaluation and testing, it's very important to stay with the facts. I've visited or worked in over 500 factories around the world and have seen up close, the body quality of almost every car company. In the case of Honda and Toyota, the defective rates as measured by an engineering standard is almost identical between the Japanese and American factories. And between the Honda and Toyota, the measured quality levels are almost the same. You have to stay with facts and look at measurements and metrics from sources like JD Power to make an accurate evaluation. If you are referring to the potential difference in body quality between Honda and Toyota, there is a less than 2% difference. If you are referring to the difference in body quality between factories in Japan and in North America (regardless of whether it's Honda or Toyota), the difference is even less, likely less than 1%. Hope this clarifies my comments, I'm basing my comments on engineering facts but also because of my experience visiting almost every Honda and Toyota factories both in North America and in Japan.

[@adas_miauczynski]

Its pity that they wont be available in EU

[@natnut2008]

I've always felt that the Lexus GS450h is the best daily driver sports sedan (that's not a F car) that Lexus makes.

[@AutomotivePress]

Yes GS 450h is a very nice car indeed. It's too bad that the GS has been discontinued due to lack of interest in mid-size sedans

[@natnut2008]

@@AutomotivePress What I like about it: 1.The instant off the line boost of the electric motor without the turbo lag. 2. No range anxiety unlike pure EV. 3. Performance of a NA V8, turbo 6 but about 20% less fuel consumption 4. Effortless wave of low end torque helps in city traffic and is befitting of a luxury car experience. 5. NA 2GR-FSE engine is very reliable and maintenance light. 6. 0-60 in 5.2s for the 2007-2011 GS450h. Ultimate sleeper car. 7. What I don't like : weight penalty, small boot space due to hybrid battery, expensive hybrid battery replacement. Stock 18" wheels are heavy and transmit small bumps into the cabin, resulting in noisy and harsh low ride comfort, high speed ride comfort is paradoxically smooth.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@natnut2008 Very good points! Do you own it? It's definitely one of the "sleeper" cars that people don't notice, but offers so much potential. The exterior design is beautiful too, it aged really well and will look great even 10 years from now. The designs these days are too "busy", the older designs are more elegant.

[@natnut2008]

@@AutomotivePress Yes. I lucked into buying one used and have enjoyed my ownership experience in general. Updated my original post with some cons that I personally experienced.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@natnut2008 It's a great find! Hope it will give you many years of enjoyment!

[@haithamalhawamdeh3134]

Great video ...

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you! I will keep posting something every week!

[@timw2083]

A very nice review, I think the IS350 is a great option in a turbocharged world. You are absolutely correct about the linear feel of a N/A engine, I have a Stinger GT with the 3.3 TT. My ideal car would be the last year GSF. I plan to find a blue one in a year or so. Again great review

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much for your comments! Stinger is a beautiful car too, although I will admit that there is something special about the Lexus GSF. The ultrasonic blue GSF is simply gorgeous and that engine is world-class.

[@santillbrezon2161]

Very good review.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you. There is more episodes on the Lexus IS, please take a look

[@santillbrezon2161]

@@AutomotivePress ok thanks.

[@santillbrezon2161]

Absolutely Beautiful car, but the interior lacks contrast. Audi cars tend to lack contast as well.

[@macoy321]

Tesla... should hire the QA engineers from Lexus.

[@AutomotivePress]

Definitely! Tesla makes attractive, high-tech cars but their body quality is poor (try doing the finger test on the Tesla body!)

[@guniseran]

Imagine EV version of this model

[@AutomotivePress]

I think it's only a matter of time before Toyota/Lexus start launching EV version of everything. Toyota has already announced its plans to introduce 100% EV cars and even shown some prototypes.

[@Chadx81]

Yep I'm tired of my 2016 350 Fsport. Im going with 2021 tacoma trd pro. Goodbye IS.

[@AutomotivePress]

That's a good move! Well, guess what? I just got a Tacoma TRD Pro too! It's so practical and comfortable, and goes everywhere with ease.

[@chrisgotswog]

Why are you tired of it?

[@wiki873]

What is it with all this youtubers trying to find the smallest issue with this car. This a Toyota product the guys that taught Porche how to build their car more efficiently. I’ll give you they should have increased the HP but why fix something that isn’t broken.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. By the way, the consultants that taught Porsche to become more efficient and quality-oriented wasn't exactly Toyota, they were retired Toyota engineers who formed their own consulting business. Anyhow, when cars are very well designed and built, we end up criticizing small things I suppose. But the engine in this IS could definitely use a bit more power and torque.

[@wiki873]

Thanks for the correction.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@wiki873 You're welcome and thank you for your contribution

[@keltheb]

I hope you get a kick back from Lexus. You just sold me a Atomic Silver is350. we pick up next month. I want durability & reliability in my cars. No more Audi.

[@eternal_napalm6442]

Genesis G70 3.3t

[@wiki873]

Can’t compare a Hyundai with a Toyota

[@AutomotivePress]

Actually the Genesis G70 is a fantastic car, and the Hyundai as a company has achieved quality results equal or even better than Toyota these days (JD Power quality audits). So they've come a long way, and are now true competitors to Toyota/Lexus.

[@dapperlygrungy3189]

Are people buying cars with so many loosing jobs due to the pandemic?

[@AutomotivePress]

The overall car sales in North America is down but not as much as you think. I think people who don't want to be in public transportation are buying cars and also because people can't travel, they are spending their money to upgrade cars.

[@SergCarReviews]

I actually work for Lexus, here in Australia and surprisingly its been the busiest its ever been this year! We had a record June and July and it hasn't stopped!

[@AutomotivePress]

@@SergCarReviews Yes true, some regions and some brands have seen an increase even despite COVID.... I guess people are investing into new cars instead of travel and other expenditures.

[@nicks1137]

If you don't own a MKIV supra, then you do not own a supra....

[@AutomotivePress]

ha ha that is true! But the Supra/Z4 combo car is still very good!

[@nicks1137]

Well if you like BMW's

[@AutomotivePress]

@@nicks1137 But you know what? I drove the BMW Z4 back to back with the Supra, and actually Supra feels quite different due to the tuning done by the Toyota chief engineer Tada-san. In fact, I've driven every Japanese/European coupes/sports cars in the last 25 years and I will say that the Supra feels at least "half Japanese". It's not pure Supra for sure, but the execution is really good and I'm quite happy with this purchase. But at the end, of course, we still wish Toyota will bring out the 100% Toyota Supra. In today's economic times, that will be tough.

[@nicks1137]

@@AutomotivePress ....the heart of the problem is this, even though I love Toyota/Lexus....they have become lazy, their engines are outdated and they are not willing to put any time into making a sports car, now I know it would be a low volume vehicle, but they have the resources to make a good one....they just choose not too because they are lazy!....they have become a mostly "boring" automaker.

[@AutomotivePress]

@@nicks1137 I'm not sure if I would classify them as lazy, it's more that it's a sign of the times. Cars are produced for economic reasons (to make a profit) so anything that may jeopardize the economic factor will be cut out (witness even the FJ cruiser was cancelled for that reason). But I would not call them lazy - I met the current president Akio Toyoda more than 15 times and I met most of the Toyota/Lexus executives, and they are the hardest working people in the world. Again, it's more the economic reason they will spend more energy/time into one product and less in another product. Sports cars definitely don't generate much profit (if any), so these ones get cut off quickly. This is true of really any automaker nowadays. Akio Toyoda actually likes performance cars or otherwise we wouldn't have even gotten the Supra (even if it's a BMW based) and neither would we have gotten the Lexus LC - these cars happened because Akio races himself and likes sports cars in general.