Is the 2023 Lexus IS500 Canyon Carving Capable?

Join me as I take the 2023 Lexus IS500 for a spin, sharing my candid thoughts on its performance, design, and features. Whether you're a car enthusiast or considering your next vehicle, this review delves into what makes the IS500 stand out in its class. Big thanks to ‪@Zygrene‬ for introducing us to ‪@lexus‬ @LexusUSA team and making this video possible.
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2022 Lexus IS500 | Overhyped or Better Than BMW M340i? • 2022 Lexus IS500 | Ove...
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:06 POV Review
10:29 Final Thoughts
#povdriving #lexus #lexusis500

[@blu_is500]

Now this is a much more informed review than your original post! When reviewers drive/review the IS500 a second time, there is always a 'recalibration', and it's hilarious to me. Your recalibration is what Lexus communicated as the point of the car from the beginning. However...dudes didn't want to listen (to the manufacturer!?) and went into the review with their own preconceived ideas. Your first review wasn't as off-base as the Car Care Nut's offering, but it was 'sigh' inducing at times. 😛 As I said to Zygrene, you guys are journalists and the public relies on your due diligence. The IS500 sold amazingly well in 2022 despite various uninformed reviews, but everyone has to do better about their research before recording. Thanks for posting this vid, this time you captured what Lexus is trying to offer with the IS500. (...and why, after 21K miles and almost 2 years, I still smile every time its started.) 😎

[@bigjdm5460]

Throttle house mentioned something in their initial IS500 review back in 2022 that captures this guys energy in his 2nd review. It went something like “the steering in a M340i is sharper ,M340i chassis is better than this, the differential is more sophisticated in a M340i BUT yet the IS500 is better !” This guy didn’t say the IS500 is better but his first review he said so much was better about the M340i yet in this follow up review of the IS , he’s literally having a blast and admires the interior build quality and how special the car is. INTERESTING.

[@blu_is500]

@@bigjdm5460 Excellent comparison! Team Grandma’s blueberry pie. 😉👍🏽

[@ARentz07]

@@bigjdm5460 I've driven a few G20 3-series, and honestly, they are fantastic cars. However, it just feels very digital in comparison to ANY Lexus IS, let alone an IS 500. I still don't understand how he ended up with a CX-50 instead of either of those. 😂

[@bigjdm5460]

@@ARentz07 that’s a great question!

[@jubbalandcars]

I thought I was getting a dog

[@tonysag9626]

I traded a 22 M240IXDrive for a 23 IS500 and don’t miss the beemer. Although the 240 was quicker, as a dd you don’t notice the difference as much as you’d think. The steering / brakes / sound system and overall build quality are better in the Lexus.

[@yousefal-assaf2985]

And for the same reason I traded in my C43 AMG and my buddy did the same with his M340i. The IS500 has the best recipe in the mid-performance sedan segment and can be easily turned into a track weapon with few mods to suspension and cooling. The Torsen fully mechanical LSD in the IS500 is by far the best in the segment too.

[@jpdoc5722]

5:01 , “V8 GRowl” .., like an avalanche about to unleash

[@aluisious]

The traction control is not holding you back. You and the public road are holding the car back.

[@ARentz07]

re: 8:55 and the transmission being slow. Yeah, duh. If you are literally not even pressing the gas, even the ZF transmission in the BMW is not going to shift quickly. I know, because I have one. Then you went on to show it performing better. It is factually incorrect to say it is slow. It is capable of 100 millisecond shift times, which is very good for a torque-converter auto. Back when this transmission was introduced, it was the fastest-shifting torque-converter auto in production.

[@MaddNomad1015]

This car just needed the LC500’s 10 speed. Still an awesome GT

[@timw2083]

It might just be my opinion but there's not much performance advantage for the LC's 10spd. I have both and the IS500 is more fun

[@aluisious]

People say that all the time, but the explanation I heard is it doesn't fit.

[@philhenderson3516]

The 10 speed, while quicker to react, actually holds the engine back. Too many gears to go through and they're not spread out closely enough. That's why the LC500 is much slower when compared to, let's say, an RCF or a GSF. Yes, it is a better transmission but it would actually do wonders on a turbo engine with plentiful torque, not so much on a highly strung NA engine.

[@rogerulloa2688]

Great video but for some reason I had anxiety watching you drive through those curves near the cliffs 😮.

[@bigdlife86]

The stock Bridgestones slide and have next to no grip, so once those are swapped, the car tends to transform further. They’re perfect for a cushy ride however. Love driving mine. It’s gently roaring butter on road, and great in every scenario.

[@timw2083]

What did you replace those Bridgestones with? I bought some DWS06+ for my IS500 and Pilot Sport All Seasons on my LC500. I love the Contis

[@bigdlife86]

@@timw2083 They ride too smoothly and I have no miles. Still on it for now, driving carefully and they never last long. I put the Michelin PS AS4’s on my previous LC500 and they were okay, but not the quietest or best riding. We’ll see when these wear out. I never gravitate “only to Michelin” like many.

[@ARentz07]

Not sure what you're talking about in regards to the rev limiter. You literally just demonstrated how it is bouncing off the limiter and not "dying".

[@bigjdm5460]

I thought that was the funniest part of the review. He says u can’t then he literally does it seconds later and enjoys it LOL.

[@LONGWALDO]

I thought the same. It does exactly the same as the LC500

[@V8Brah]

You're correct. Maybe he meant the LC500 rev limiter bounce sounds better from the outside.

[@eleanortheamazing]

What do you think about a used LC500 vs IS500 new, given they are similar in price?

[@jubbalandcars]

Very different practicality and use case. LC still more expensive used especially if you want the driver focused options

[@timw2083]

Something you can drive daily... IS500 Something that makes a statement.. LC500 I have both and honestly drive/like the IS more

[@bigdlife86]

@@timw2083Same for me. LC500 was a great art show piece but clunky and big to drive daily. Great for show and long roads. IS500 I just prefer driving all over in every scenario, even just “looking like an IS sedan.” Massively better day to day.

[@dacuse2009]

Got my IS500 a few months ago…love it so far. Came from a 2019 RWD Infiniti Q50 RS400 which I never felt safe in (open differential sucks). The LSD in the Lexus is sure footed compared to the Infiniti, and I no longer have a be concerned about my turbo blowing up.

[@A_guan]

I heavily considered the m340i and is500 but I ended up getting an integra type s as that car felt more fun to drive. However at times I wished I had the is500 as that would have actually been a better choice as my driving mainly consists of surface roads and freeways (my work commute). Funny enough I came from a cx50. However the Integra type s wasn't a bad choice especially with it being 10-15k cheape4

[@josephhaney884]

How is the ride quality of the type s on the freeway commute? I’m considering the type s and is500, currently drive an is350. I’m also concerned my wife may say the type s feels like a go cart while on a long road trip. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[@A_guan]

@@josephhaney884 ride quality is pretty good. Definitely a little stiffer then is350 however the seats on the is500 are better in my opinion as they aren't as firm. To improve ride quality a lot including me have downsized from a 19 to 18in tires on 265/35/18 which has improved ride quality a good bit from the 265/30/19

[@josephhaney884]

Thank you for your insights. Congrats on your totally cool car as well. I am sure it puts a smile on your face and you look forward to your commute.

[@A_guan]

@@josephhaney884 oh for sure! You honestly can't go wrong with either choice. I do wonder what life would have been like if I got the is500 instead though. However I didn't really want to pay another 15k which was borderline over my budget

[@LexCTF]

I'm in the same boat right now between the its and is500. I was leaning towards the its but been reading on the integra forums and see a few guys have problems with engine issues and quality issues so it's been holding me back a bit. Have you had any problems with yours? Congrats on the its btw, its a beautiful car ✌🏼

[@bigjdm5460]

The car is great , wish it weighed 3,690 lbs. that’s my only gripe with the F products. Besides the LFA and ISF . Everything else weighs 3,900-4,100 lbs.

[@pmiahky]

I’ve had mine two weeks now. Picked it up recently after it arrived in Portland then on a train. It does not feel heavy. Just feels like a small little nimble tank. I had a 2021 TLX ASpec SHAWD I traded in and that thing was SO heavy/wobbly. TLX Type S I could’ve also had at a great price but I really wanted something different and wasn’t considering the krauts. This thing stays so planted and nobody has these. Fit and finish/build quality blows away the Acura. The TLX has probably a little more steering feedback but even the Type S is WAY too heavy and clunky. This is plenty fast as well and it will be incredibly reliable. It’s also very quiet, excellent on bad roads, and the chassis is just outstanding. Very happy!

[@philhenderson3516]

Despite the V8, it's actually lighter than other segment stalwarts like the Q50 RS, Stinger and G70 believe it or not. So weight is not so much of an issue. Transmission tuning, suspension and tires are mostly responsible from holding this car back from greatness.

[@bigjdm5460]

@@pmiahky I have one as well . I agree, it’s really a great product for the street. Checks a lot of boxes. Special sedan for sure.

[@sethm10]

2 things I don’t like about the IS’s. No power folding mirrors. And that rear deflector bar looks like a Kia K5. The IS would look better with the RC tail lamps.

[@ARentz07]

I'm gonna have to say the second part is a hot take 😂. I personally don't see the resemblance.

[@philhenderson3516]

No power folding mirrors and lack of LED turn signals. Seriously.. a $60K car still using halogen bulbs in this day and age!?

[@cowboyjhon766]

And it's more reliable than any BMW peace of junk after you some miles on