Lexus IS 350 F Sport 2021 review | Chasing Cars

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We drive the new Lexus IS350 and see what this sporty sedan is like to drive.
The Lexus IS 350 is the last luxury sedan on sale with a naturally aspirated V6 in Australia. That gives it a firmly old school character under the bonnet compared to rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C300 and BMW 330i - but is that for the best? And what about the other improvements to the 2021 Lexus IS? Is this a great entry point to rear-wheel-drive luxury motoring?
Ponch has already reviewed the IS range for Chasing Cars - now, Tom takes a deep dive into the top of the range (for now): the Lexus IS 350 F Sport. But will it be replaced in future by a new IS F, or a new IS 500? Should it be?
What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.
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[@autonewstv86]

The Lexus IS gets a lot of hate, but if there was any luxury sedan I'd own outside of a warranty it'd be this. Just saying 🤷

[@kristians2704]

yeah yeah we all know Lexus is reliable

[@alitoma1512]

No one can deny their reliability 💪🏻

[@ryant2568]

Agreed, it's all Toyota parts under the skin so you are getting Toyota reliability.

[@mogulme6190]

Doesn’t matter when it’s slow as balls

[@jeremyhill3837]

Spot on. You could run this for a decade and it would still look fresh. Great paint

[@limpunsing224]

Still one of the most beautiful sports sedan in the segment with an under stressed n/a V6 engine

[@supaahflyy]

Lexus fans always say one thing. 'reliable' 'under stressed' 'lasts for ever' Almost like that's the only thing it had going for it

[@limpunsing224]

@@supaahflyy People are free to like different things To each his own Get it ?

[@faizeladam1404]

I agree totally with you. It's definitely eye candy. Gorgeous. Sexy.

[@Philmoscowitz]

@@supaahflyy - No, mate, you've got it all wrong. It's not the only thing it has going for it. It's just the thing that sets it apart from the BMW 330i, Audi A4, Mercedes C300, Acura TLX, and the Infiniti Q50.

[@supaahflyy]

@@Philmoscowitz fair. But then everything else is subpar compared to those other cars. Well atleast the Germans.

[@RtB68]

I have this very car. Same colour too. I've had it going on 12 months. It's great. The build, fit and finish are bank-vault tight. The stereo booms. The seats are extremely comfortable and the engine/exhaust sound when you stomp on it in sport-plus mode is surprisingly ballsy. No regrets. Some minor niggles though. The lack of adjustable centre arm-rest annoys me. There is no sunglasses stowage near the rear-view mirror (or anywhere else) and the in-cabin stowage space generally is not as generous as you think. The lack of head-up display is disappointing and the centre screen - while big and clear - really doesn't have much to show you beyond the map. I'd like it to show some sports telemetry data or digital gauges or something. The sliding gauge cluster looks great as it slides but it's a one trick pony - there's not much going on by way of info here either and it feels like it's too small for the size of the binnacle, with a lot of empty space. The auto dimming of the rear-view mirror is too slow and always seems to allow a few seconds of squint before it becomes effective. Most of these are minor niggles though. I'm happy with the purchase and would buy it again, knowing what I do...but it's only an 8/10 and not the 9/ or 10/ that it could be.

[@hazeroth]

Sigh, after all these years I still miss my 2006 IS250 so much. Bought it new (I was and still am terrible with money) and had a blast for the time I owned it. Terrible interior space (6'2" and so inadequate headroom) but gosh it was such a pleasure to drive! Thanks for another great car review vid, Tom!

[@alwaysup22]

i had the exact same car... that thing was just incredible. feel like i have been chasing to have that same car ever since!

[@TankEngine15]

They've kept this design really fresh. Well played Lexus.

[@johnm7251]

I owned an earlier model IS350. The engine is absolutely fantastic, but does like a bit of petrol around town.

[@carfans6366]

I'm glad that the IS 350 is actually a 3.5 V6 and not a 2.0T

[@taichooyee]

Nice one

[@Yddp3307]

几时review 5.0 v8 的 lexus 车款？比如lc500 我的dream car

[@Tsond123]

North America is getting the IS500, with 472 horsepower and 395 pound feet of torque.

[@MercOne]

That's the one to get, not this IS350 nonsense.

[@sv52308]

@@MercOne Not everyone can afford a 5.0 V8 😑

[@MercOne]

@@sv52308 True.

[@Joobkl]

Unfortunately Australia won't get the IS500

[@qnunyuh8417]

@@sv52308 where there is a will there is a way

[@peterlloyd374]

I have ordered one. Would have liked maybe a mild turbo on the 350 to enhance low down torque, and upgrade the interior tech. Having said that, being an ex-member of the motor industry I know that quality, reliability and resale value will eclipse the competition. Add the superior service experience and the decision was an easy one.

[@aurumonca3760]

Upcoming IS500 looks cool.

[@PacificRedPanda]

Tom, great review...again. Been waiting for this one since launch. I’m with you on the looks which helps me make peace with the same engine offering. Waiting for the IS500 V8 to deploy my money. Any chance you know if the dynamic handling package will be offered in Australia? The black BBS wheels in the overseas markets are alone worth the cost of the package!

[@DLPTonyATL]

Me too...waiting on the announcement of the IS500. Hoping HOPING the exhaust note will be just as nice as the LC500. If so, my '16 350 FSport RWD will be traded in immediately. :-)

[@marklivos]

It's really a beautiful car

[@iantovey273]

Great review, thank you. Such a good looking car. I am an Audi driver, but am so tempted to consider an IS 350.

[@ZS-xi4xk]

definitely a lot more of a standout design than audi haha

[@harlequin75]

and I bet 2 years later, you still did not ;-)

[@hectorjdelossantos5120]

Great video specialist in slow motion moving Great..

[@Tracertme]

Direct and port injected motor and that’s a mega plus ❤

[@avaliacarros7739]

At 6:50 is reported that it has 17 cubic feet or 480 liters of trunk or boot space. This is not a TOP 500 SEDAN, which belongs to the select group of those whow have more than 500 liters of capacity in its trunk or boot, but it is bigger than the trunk of the MOST SELLING CAR IN THE WORLD for more than 12 years, the Toyota Corolla with 470 liters of capacity. I'm going to put this video on my decents sedans playlist.

[@damdamdamxx]

Just a suggestion, but I was hoping future reviews could maybe focus a bit more on the design features of the outside of the car. A mention of the headlights and taillights, are they LED, laser, halogen - how does this compare to competitors? The grille, does it have a sunroof? I know these things are mentioned briefly and are often grouped in with other elements of the review, but it would be really great to see! Love the videos though, keep up the good work Tom!

[@lukelawrence6007]

Can't wait for v8 isf

[@sad6549775]

Hope it comes here

[@ianstuart6026]

They are only making and selling 500 of the IS500 for sale in the US. I brought the new IS350 and love it.

[@yousef.al-assaf]

@@ianstuart6026 Only the Launch Edition is limited to 500 units. The normal IS500 will be mass produced

[@glennbell5075]

Drove the new IS300 F Sport whilst my LS500 F Sport was in for a service and was very impressed with the ride and the power delivery from the turbo 4. Clearly its still a bit behind the LS inside but would love to take the just announced IS500 for a spin as that would be a fun city car.

[@goran2009]

Love everything about it, if I was in a market for 70-80k sports car, definitely I would get IS350...

[@supaahflyy]

You'd be very disappointed if you're looking for a 'sports car' This thing drives soft. Leans and wallows. It doesn't drive how it looks

[@kristians2704]

this isn’t a sports car and no this car is terrible compared to the competition

[@shaheenevans]

Fair review Tom, the last of its kind really, next gen will be hybrid or electric ? Swan song for v6.

[@shaheenevans]

I know thanks Nes- I was referring to the choice of v6 and now announced v8, we need to enjoy them now before they are gone

[@AndreiGonzalesDesign]

Great video, but the V6 is dual-injection (port and direct), not *just* direct injection. That distinction matters.

[@tuanlinhbui7507]

Will you please do one video on the Volvo S60? Im not a fan of BMW Mer or Audi so Im looking at the IS and S60 for my next purchase

[@alekpd2940]

Nice review, nice Seamaster

[@xFlared]

Waiting for IS500.

[@miguelircontar]

I actually want to own one despite the hate Love the color

[@diwu5524]

Where did you get your eyeglasses frame, I like it so much

[@EastWood2004]

The interior is much smaller and it is 200kg heavier than the 3 series. The decades old powertrain is thirty and sluggish. The driving assistance pkg is no where to close to the 3 series. Yes it is more reliable and it has to be, otherwise no one would buy this Lexus over the 3 series.

[@sad6549775]

Having an is250 08, I would like to see the latest model to aspire towards. But, honestly, the kia stinger feels like the next step up instead of being in the same car brand series. (brain dump, hope it is legible)

[@sad6549775]

@@nessuno5403 I can see people looking down on the Kia badge is a thing. If you have driven the latest model of stinger, they are on par with is250 which is an entry level Lexus tbh. In fact, Stinger is superior in "Sport Sedan." is500 doesn't count being limited to North America

[@gilbert9394]

Now we know why the IS didn't flip to the ng platform, lexus announced the V8 IS500F. Nice.

[@pierremartin9048]

Just bought one, 350 F, only thing is they are sold out in Canada, so 3 month slot for delivery. Oh well, it’s like little kid Christmas time all over again......white on red.

[@Kruse1]

There's a IS500, hopefully it comes to Australia.

[@quadcoreQ]

I agree. Headroom in the rear seats is terrible especially in the middle/centre seat. Worst than a VW Golf.

[@aussie8114]

I didn’t know this model has a touchscreen, I thought you had to use that horrible trackpad.

[@seang2822]

Why are you driving so slow in the external view shots?

[@ehudk215]

I own a Lexus IS, and though I think the new car’s styling is beautiful, they didn’t do quite enough, and sadly I’ll be moving on. They really should have upgraded the powertrains. The IS300h should have been a plug in with the new 300+ hp engine from the Rav4, and the 2.0T could use more power! Back seat should have been fitted with USB ports and door bottle holders. I like my car, and probably will keep it for my daughter, but the makeover isn’t enough.

[@craigelliott2020]

I like the lexus is 350 models

[@edgarsantos5431]

Does anyone know if they have launch control?

[@CelicaSainz]

My friend did you say 480 lt for cargo capacity ?

[@reesharris2959]

6:56 Is that a bottle of Bowden’s Own Boss Gloss I see there? 😍

[@TYAC_TPE_SF-Bay]

Why not a Miata?

[@yangpentingkomentar]

Awesome

[@edeboy]

Epic, you look like my friend

[@angelapotter8332]

IS 500 F Sport yes please

[@AppleSlipper]

Bad news is that it's exclusive to the US.

[@dwade3202]

Wouldnt this be a joy to drive with a manual ? Idk much about cars but is a manual tough to make with v6 engines or is it just that nobody buys manuals ?

[@overnightpartsfromjapan01]

not enough people buy them, and modern autos with stop start get better official fuel economy figures which manufacturers are after these days. There's no engineering reason they can't be offered in manual.

[@natebarry5553]

This car is not available with a manual at any trim level

[@supaahflyy]

Basically what the other guy said. No one buys manual. It's the vocal minority that has you thinking there is a huge interest for manuals when there isn't

[@siquanwu3131]

Owned two IS so far, lovely all round, but will upgrade to new NX or RX next year or 2023, with two kids in tow, IS rear wheel drive and tiny back seats are just not viable for me. Solid 100%, two IS total 10 years, owned from new, never miss a beat, Lexus reputation for reliability is absolutely the draw card for me to buy Lexus for the rest of my life.

[@jamestsao8234]

This or a GS300 F sport with enhancement pack for 75k+? Thoughts?

[@ZS-xi4xk]

id get this unless you need the space of the gs. updated tech, more power, better styling imo with this new IS.

[@kristians2704]

get a mercedes or bmw

[@yousef.al-assaf]

IS350 if you don't need the extra space

[@brunov.7411]

🔥🔥🔥

[@leonking1610]

It’s not 75k 🙄

[@Pepecoin123]

Kool

[@Hope2421]

Kia Stinger better ?

[@nbafan3021]

The previous model looks better. I don’t know what lexus was thinking when designing the rear of this new model.

[@Linux333]

Not worth the asking price

[@TheMicmicmic9]

outdated, conservative, same same... ur mesaage is pretty clear lol

[@leveraged6694]

This is the slowest test drive I’ve ever seen.

[@ItsAleqo]

$75k for that? My god that interior is terrible for that price. Buy an M30i BMW for the same price and a better engine, interior and looks.

[@Audios81]

$75k for a M340i? Yeah naw.....good try though.....you could barely squeeze a 320 with 135kw (181hp) for that price....too funny

[@ericwong8808]

This is literally an aged car with plastic face.

[@bush7788]

buy a stinger

[@Acordeonistain805]

More power but those are ugly and cheap

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Heya Tom, Off topic but see if you can get your hands on the new Paddy Hopkirk Special Edition MINI Cooper. Granted It's not a new model I just want to see it as there is zero road footage that I can find anywhere.

[@qnunyuh8417]

500?

[@Joobkl]

Not coming to Australia