The New 2021 Lexus IS350 NAILS Sport Sedan Balance - One Take

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The all-new 2021 Lexus IS350 is here! We've got the F-Sport version, with its upgraded handling package, torsen limited-slip differential, and 311 HP V6 engine running through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. As the Germans lose the plot in the entry level sport sedan market, Lexus has still got it going on.
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Lexus provided the vehicle, insurance, and a tank of fuel for this review.
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[@iv8976]

Let’s be honest, the people buying this want sporty and reliability

[@NBASFAN]

Too much electronics, bound to fail and expensive to fix. Sporty, it is still not. Better stick with the new Corolla hatchback that's more fun than this.

[@ipwndrums]

@@NBASFAN too many electronics? not for a lexus. you seem confused. supporting a toyota hatch while simultaneously putting down lexus reliability. makes no sense.

[@trollashnikovavtomat]

@@NBASFAN you sound like you've never driven anything with more than 100 hp

[@tv321123]

Yes. Exactly why I bought my IS. After a S4 that was in the shop all the time and a few mercs that had to be towed from the front of my house at some point. There is nothing more luxurious than something that just works. So far my IS has been bullet proof despite me having my fun with it, hopefully it stays like that. I'm sure it will given Lexus's reputation.

[@AtomicBlueJay]

@@tv321123 i got a 2007 is350 with Toyota tech stream on my laptop It’s much nicer to be able to work on my car and diagnose issues at home espicially since the engine is designed simple and really only needs fluid changes You can complain about power or you can complain about reliability but you can’t have both

[@BrendanEvan]

Interesting that Lexus seems to keep holding on to NA engines longer than many other manufacturers.

[@SATISFACTIONZ0R]

Reliability :)

[@BrendanEvan]

@Believe Inyourself wondering if they might be forced to change soon with EPA requirements being what they are. Maybe not, if they can lean on hybrids enough.

[@TheV8Pumpkin]

THANK god for that! Love my 3gs v6

[@Lifeof728]

Toyota

[@ImOldGregg]

Brendan Fitness and Money profit homie

[@danielgooden7073]

lexus designs are soooo underrated

[@bakunawa534]

Nope. They are VERY popular

[@rumble8014]

bro they stole the S2000 design

[@IsiahHD]

Crazily enough, this is probably the best looking car in it's class. It looks LOADS better than the previous one. I own a 1st Gen IS300 and I'd definitely want to have a go in one of these.

[@glennnichols4220]

Man are you way out of touch. Fuck anything Lexus made after the ISF. Yes i am saying the RCF, GSF and the LC500 V8

[@saxahorn1475]

@@glennnichols4220 bruh

[@glennnichols4220]

I would agree it looks good but what else?

[@glennnichols4220]

@@saxahorn1475 that was a smart response.

[@automotivetv9861]

You own a 1500 dollar car, this is closer to 50 thousand dollars... way out of your league..

[@ChadWilson]

Long live naturally aspirated engines!

[@KP-05]

This refresh is beautiful. The subtle touch ups made the car look perfect. This car will age like wine.

[@gns942]

Turn off traction by holding the button for about 5 seconds and it won't auto upshift at redline. Also, the shift lever can be pushed forward (upshift) or pulled back (downshift), but the paddles are better because your hands don't leave the wheel.

[@computiNATEor]

Forward for upshift is backwards. Look at every sequential race car pretty much ever made.

[@Ryan-ig5hk]

@@computiNATEor Mazda cares enough to gets it right. Forward for down, back for up.

[@gns942]

@@computiNATEor I'm not disagreeing, I'm pointing out how it works. I would prefer to pull back to upshift, push forward to downshift. It mimics the action you do in a manual car shifting from 1 - 2 and the hand motion is also inline with the weight transfer of the car.

[@colingarder1603]

Quick note for you Matt. If you don’t want the car to automatically upshift for you despite being sport+ mode, traction control must be completely turned off, and then it’ll let you bang the limiter.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Interesting. Can hitting the limiter cause loss of grip?

[@colingarder1603]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 no

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@colingarder1603 then it's really just an unnecessary thing, but at least it's defeatable

[@basithph8958]

The new IS looks like a very stunning car But I wonder if Lexus is going to bring back the IS F

[@deathcab4booty]

The 5.0 V8 doesn't fit between the shock towers of the IS. That's why it didn't continue after 2014.

[@Freydmany2]

Really looking forward to a 5.0 L V8 model 😍

[@CDNChaoZ]

Not when they can sell you the RC F

I would want a goddamn manual gearbox in an IS-F though. Otherwise I wouldn't want it at all.

[@memememine1]

@@deathcab4booty Ah makes sense. Is that why people say the rcf uses the front end from the GS?

[@2wheelcobra]

Matt- I believe you have to have Traction Control off, and be in sport+ mode to hit the rev limiter.

[@blazegamefame]

Agreed - in the 2014 review, he turned it off and said it was the only way to get the car going. Maybe that's changed, but it still let's you hit rev limiter if you turn trac + stability off

[@dankchron1617]

I tired this on my 2017 gs 350 f sport awd and it still upshifted by it self :(

[@tonywhite7020]

Make sure you hold traction control button until orange lights come on or it snaps back on after first

[@dankchron1617]

@@tonywhite7020 Yes I know I tried it but I think 2016+ model they changed the programming for the tcu and it wont allow you to bang off the rev limiter unless you get a F model

[@ogmechsftw]

My ISF will bang the limiter with traction control on, in manual mode. hmm.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I totally understand when you explained the “dead zone” response that the MK7 GTI has when you get on the throttle. It’s just the nature of a turbo car. Funny thing is, is that I recently went to the VW Golf GTI forums to explain how I can’t stand this “dead zone” that the GTI has, as I come from an E46 M3 that has an amazing throttle response. Well, people in the forums started blasting me saying the car doesn’t have hardly any turbo lag or turbo threshold. I knew at that moment that none of the guys responding to me have ever owned a good N/A sports car before, because when you do, and then you drive a turbo car, you feel the difference immediately!

[@BrendanEvan]

This is true

[@carlsanders1320]

Would you mind sending me the link to that post? I'd love to see some VW guys claim that turbo lag doesn't exist.

[@NoahBB]

Totally agree, as someone that owns a MK7 R. Is your car stock or modified? I'd highly recommend a GFB DV+ to improve throttle response significantly and reduce the time it takes to reach the boost threshold when you're on and off the throttle.

[@throttlesteer8471]

Drive by wire is the culprit for most of what you're feeling. My a4 is just like your gti but my 500whp evo x is snappy from mid rpm and up. Both cars are drive by wire but the a4 hasn't been tuned yet. Just brake boost lol

[@cookiehead2]

The M3 also has ITBs, so it’s specifically designed for throttle response. The e39 540i on the other hand, doesn’t. While it’s a V8, the throttle response was mediocre.

[@1TrackSimulation]

I’m so happy to see a true car enthusiast review this, also one that I am familiar with. There’s a ton of random reviews shitting on this new IS. And I’m glad to see you liked this one, I remember your review of the previous generation as well. I’d consider buying this for reliability first and sportiness second. Always happy to hear your take on things!

[@johnhunt4634]

This was my dream car at 16. 15 years later still looks clean as hell.

[@MR-bf7vs]

The road, the sunrise (it feel like it's earlier than usual - but it's perfect !), the car : WONDERFUL !! ❤️ Thanks Matt !!

[@augustortiz]

I hope they make the rumored is500. This doesn’t seem to be different enough to my daily 3rd gen is.

[@davidstriedinger6101]

This car will outlast most relationships..

[@sodachanga673]

Not saying much, even an Alfa can last my relationships 😂

[@Alumnikiid]

What is this relationship word you speak of. Its all about hook ups and situationships nowadays

[@tv321123]

Well this lexus will outlast the BMW,MB,Ect competition....But to be fair even a 3 year lease on any car will outlast most relationships.

[@germanv8s877]

More like marriages

[@tv321123]

@Edward Muller V If you have the means/credit, and your insurance on your 02 IS is cheap, just get the new one and keep the 02 around. That way you have a car to you in case you need to go to a place with a crappy parking lot. And do what I did not do with my IS and get the PPF when the car is brand new. It's in the accessories catalog.

[@singular9]

GOD IT LOOKS SO GOOD. Drove a 2018 RWD Fsport, and it was really nice but did need these improvements.

[@ashishpatel350]

This redesign is badass. I hated the look of the old lexus.

[@dragospahontu]

It looked good

[@chewylewy1714]

You can have variable camber through a double wishbone suspension. If the two wishbones are different lengths the camber will change throughout the travel. If the bottom wishbone is longer the camber will go more negative as the suspension loads and go positive as it unloads. Vice versa for longer top wishbone.

[@OVER5TEER]

Exactly - almost all double wishbone setups are unequal length, also called SLA (short/long arm) so that there is camber gain with compression. This is actually an advantage of SLA over strut suspension, the exact opposite of what Matt said.

[@wayneh1562]

I've seen this car in person, it is beautiful, for me it's one of the best looking sports sedans

[@SergCarReviews]

Hey mate, if you like Lexus reviews I've made a few of them including all 3 IS models. If you're interested to watch let me know what you think :)

[@clintavo]

Double wishbone *does* change camber through the suspension stroke. The upper control arm is shorter than the lower one, so negative camber is increased as the suspension compresses. This is desirable so chassis roll and tire carcass flex are compensated for, keeping the contact patch parallel with the ground.

[@mulliganxable]

Autotempest was useful for a car search I had, good sponsor @thesmokingtire

[@JMartinni]

Not sure where the 'V6 - not very exciting engine' stems from. Sure it's not a 700 hp V12/10/8 but a NA V6 like this still has a really nice sound to it, and for that it isn't actually very quick it still sounds the part.

[@thatoneotherotherguy]

It seems like a fair opinion. Isn't this extremely similar to the Camry V6?

[@v8_sami]

@@thatoneotherotherguy yes. One of the best engines in the last decade

[@JakeDrives1]

It's nothing to do with the specific motor imo. Toyotas V6 has long been one of the best. The feel of turbos have left even the common man yearning for more oomph.

[@thatoneotherotherguy]

@@v8_sami Of course, I love dead-reliable old tech. But you can't force consumers to be excited about a Camry V6, repackaged for rear-wheel-drive. If Toyota did the Mazda thing and reworked that V6 for such a sporty application, now THAT would be pretty cool.

[@ogmechsftw]

@@thatoneotherotherguy You know nothing about cars if you think this and the Camry are just "repackaged" version of each other lol.

[@xkc9689]

This car is soooo beautiful! I’d love to get one & do what it takes to make it quicker

[@stevenhamilton2767]

First good review video I’ve seen of the updated IS! Very interested in this particular model compared to the previous gens. Do the IS500 F sport when it comes out!

[@wuming9151]

Rcf is your looking for.

[@global_nomad.]

good to see that you are approaching 1m subscribers...you deserve it...

[@columbiars]

What I would like to highlight about this video in comparison with others, is the excellent quality of the engine sound from inside and outside the car (while driving in this case) you are bringing us. Also the landscape beautiful.

[@SergCarReviews]

Hey mate if you like Lexus reviews, I have plenty and a few with the IS350 😄 Feel free to check it out 😊

[@michaelday6987]

In early. Supporting one of my favorite channels on KZbin. Good looking car.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

My son just bought a 2018 IS 350 F Sport. He loves it and I'm thinking about getting one myself.

[@MrLifeissomething]

"It almost sounds like the cams are driven by a chain." Mqybe thats because it has a timing chain.

[@brencelt]

Great review. Looks and sounds a beaut 👌

[@big4g63t]

still enjoying my 06 rwd is350! with mild mods dynoed 279 to the rear tires, and being garage kept still looks as clean as that brand new one!

[@lav1daloca]

Absolute beauty now with this facelift! Best in class? Always.

[@kristians2704]

the BMW 3 series and Genesis G70 are better

[@Goated483]

You can change the rev limit in the settings, so it revs higher in between shifts.

[@ilgwent8061]

DA MOST SENSUAL SPORT SEDAN IN ITS CLASS AND BEYOND

[@ravenstylea2]

If the engine power and transmission tuning were a little better, than I'd consider buying it. It's drop dead gorgeous too!!

[@Lucas-ck1po]

The previous model had a more agressive engine tone inside the cabin, always found that so neat, that metallic intake sound it had before

[@anoopmathew82]

It's got a crazy aggressive look, but for once (outside of the LC which is gorgeous) the overall look works. Haven't really felt that way about a Lexus in a while.

[@analyciav5617]

I'm a Lexus is350 owner. From what I've seen all I can say is I want one

[@gladdy02]

Great lines on this car for sure!

[@johnhenrymcmahon6878]

I love the way this car looks-aggressive and uniquely Japanese. Awesome. And what a road you were driving on, man. Love it! :) JV Johnny

[@solidsnake3861]

great looking and quality offcourse from lexus as always

[@alanhirayama4592]

Matt is sounding like Jimmy Kimmel's evil twin brother, LOL.

[@ianstuart6026]

Hi, I enjoyed your video, thank you. You appear to have a similar build to me, as I'm thinking of buying one of these cars how did you find the seats?

[@lmc333]

Love the RadWood Shirt !! Love this car too ! It looks so good even tho it is just a "refresh"

[@mariuszanfir2298]

Hey, Matt, have you drove the new 3 series? I was wondering how it compares.

[@basithph8958]

The new IS looks really nice and very sharp! It does need more but this is one of the best sport sedans money could buy!

[@ManOrWomanIDK]

Mr. Regular said it best: "I want to go a little fast but DON'T LOOK AT ME!"

[@ZackNakazora1]

I think Lexus did really well for a mass sale car. Everyone gets all hype-y about 400 hp and zomg needs all this race tech to the average user this car is a good balance of cost. Luxury. Performance and looks and will sell well. The better Lexii will. Be catered to the more performance or grand touring crowd. I feel the lack of a turbo here parallels subarus own philosophy that you don't need "more horsepower" to keep selling cars. You need to make then fun and zippy and accessible. Saves cost and reaches more people.

[@keithrobertson2401]

Lol I just seen one of these on the road(same color) and was hoping you would do a video!! Looks really nice In person.

[@Danu01c]

In modern Lexus that aren't F, you need to have it in sport+ and hold the trac button so it turns of traction and stability and then it will give you complete control of the transmission.

[@smgolammohiuddin9765]

The road is amazing , i would like to know the location ✌️✌️. And, ofc great video

[@valdaviper1]

Best looking IS IMO, but still love my 12 ISF. They really need the V6TT from the LS, or the 5.0L with more updates to compete. I understand reliability, but it's been like 15 years now with that V6..Hope the IS500 comes to fruition. This car is just the iPhone 12. Great if you need a new ride, but if you have a 10/11, not much reason to upgrade. In this case, you could have a 6S+ and be fine lol.

[@matthewgloberman3682]

Props to Lexus for keeping it NA.

[@herewegoagain7403]

NA= more reliable, and since they’re using the same engine, it’s tried and true to last forever

[@LPJZ456]

Yo finally someone who gives a fair review of the car instead of what they like. I know every review is a bit subjective but limiting that subjectivity is what makes a review doug demuro and your reviews standout. Just saying that you can reach the screen is so simple and straight but even doug complains cause he inherently doesn’t care for minute differences only Radical redesigns.

[@SergCarReviews]

Hey mate if you like Lexus reviews, I have plenty and a few with the IS350 😄 Feel free to check it out 😊

[@IXIFrostIXI]

Redline auto shifts turn off when you turn traction control off

[@jamiee9257]

I really like the IS350. I wish there was a manual option, but alas, I'm just glad Lexus is still producing a sporty RWD sedan. I mean, I'd rather have an RC-F, and a LC500, but... Your videos are great. Do you still have that silver SL500 you bought a while back? Those R129s will always be my favorite SL.

[@frankmiller95]

Right. You don't want hit the rev limiter, not because exceeding it might damage, or ruin your engine, but because it takes the fun out of abusing it. Great logic.

[@marioeid930]

Looks great!

[@michaeln.7083]

I really like the Lexus name meaning the cars are always well made they just leave a little bit on the table that need critiqued like power and shifting.. other then that great car and honest review!

[@bronxtaskforce01]

Currently own a 2014 IS350 RWD with Luxury Package. Nothing really changed. Only the infotainment system, rear tail lights and front end and from 18 inch went to 19 inch.

[@jryalls]

Lexus are making some of the best looking cars at the moment. Just as they’re starting to pull out of the U.K. market 😭

[@The3358151l]

dame shame i think they’re going to give the IS500 as a last horrah. Them closing in other markets just means a smaller bottom line and budget for specific vehicles especially the IS not being an SUV

[@JustxLiving909]

🧢

[@bliglum]

Would be really nice to see that new TTV6 in this in some form with that Torsen LSD..

[@winstonwolff]

It looks like the exact same car that's been out for 8 years with a little bit of updated sheet metal a new screen And 5 more horsepower. Am I missing something? The controls the dash, The seats they all look exactly the same.

[@Steven_universe777]

Coming from someone who has the RC200T, I would take the new 2021 IS350 F Sport all day. N/A engines and the immediate response is so much better than that half second dead zone (which feels like a full second when your hitting the throttle and waiting) of the turbo. 5.8 seconds 0-60 also seems fine to me as far as speed, the turbo version coming in at 6.9 seconds.

[@rahxe80]

Looks good inside and out, not a slow car at all but would've been perfect in my book with 330 h.p

[@bingbong5939]

My dream car well achievable dream car

[@sesh3508]

Anything is achievable silly

[@JTM610]

@@sesh3508 ironically only someone naive/silly would say that

[@sesh3508]

@@JTM610 What is ironic and silly is that you’ve more than likely trained yourself to not believe you can do things, and will fail if you continue.

[@Escape_Raz]

@@sesh3508 Get em!

[@JTM610]

@@sesh3508 sounds great. Hit me up when you're a billionaire, hun

[@bradfocl]

Is this the same/similar engine as a Camry? Is the auto-upshift a redline something you can tune out with a trans tune?

[@tayf85]

As an IS F owner I'm torn... I want to see the 2UR-GSE in this but I also love what the lack of a V8 option does for my resale value :)

[@bpowick]

I really like the look of this car. It’d be cool if they brought back the IS-F with this model.

[@tinhinnh]

we may get something similar with the IS500

[@bpowick]

@@tinhinnh Lexus’ naturally aspirated V8 in this body would be drool machine!

[@mmmmm4815]

ISF was a fail. It was trying to be an E90/92 M3, but failed in every regard.

[@dawnpoint]

All those R-series V6s and V8s (UR, GR) have that mechanical whine sound. I kind of like it.

[@kyrujames]

Needs turbo + hatchback option. I went with Audi A5 love it. Glad to see they finally modernized the interior though!

[@pininfarina575]

Hi Matt / TheSmokingTire - I believe you noticed the same whining noise in your 2014 IS350 F-Sport OneTake when 3IS was launched - so I'm assuming it's the same higher pitched noise from the engine, since the engine is pretty much the same form 2014 (and 2IS)?

[@barrydraper]

Damn, I lost count how many times the phrase "It's not all that fast" was used. It's quick. It's attractive. It's sporty. It's practical. And it's RELIABLE! Besides, it will literally blow the doors off my old 1977 Corvette with the L82 V8 engine. I looked up the stats.

[@jakeb3149]

Lexus won't blow you away on the spec sheet but where they truly shine is delivering you a quality product that is fun to drive and reliable at the same time.

[@jameswillard1]

Did they even touch the interior?? It looks virtually identical to the 2015 IS350 I had several years ago

[@zachg9065]

I have a 2016 IS when it comes time ill be looking at these and the IS500

[@tdmap2241]

4:06 Sport+ Mode shakes the earth!

[@FahdAzad]

It sounds amazing

[@daniel022209]

I wish they put ambient lighting in these cars to complete the package.

[@Consolethumbs]

Can’t wait for the Type S review.

[@maisondav1d]

Has never been into Lexus since I live in europe and we don't see them here, but I'm starting to really like their cars

[@sesh3508]

Idk I might get a used ISF at that point

[@thewallstreetreaper4859]

I wonder how these will be when tuned?

[@alexmoroz3243]

Here's hoping that Lexus make a variant with a manual transmission or toss the 2UR V8 under the hood... I've got an '02 is300 5mt and an '08 ISF and absolutely love them! Especially the 1st gen IS, that car really comes alive with a manual transmission and a Torsen Dif.

[@tv321123]

What is up with the 'if you need to turn TC off on a public road, your over driving the car' thing at 7:40? In the 2014 IS F-Sport review you said turning the TC off was needed for spirited driving as it was way to invasive and did not let you hit the rev limiter without shifting on it's own....

[@insayn7995]

This thing is good, I’d get this over anything else if they put a manual in it. The looks are quite nice plus you’re getting Lexus quality.

[@91fAux]

looks good, but the interior has minor changes to warrant an upgrade from previous gens.

[@aaronpreddy35]

Hopefully someone can let you drive this model with the RR Supercharger & tune. Would love to see your impression of that.

[@billballin6948]

Isn't the 3.5 in this the same one in the camry? Looks like same power too.

[@andreabrown1338]

Balanced review 👌

[@LafemmebearMusic]

I think you're great and have been a fan for years. I'm comfused at the title of this video thoo... it just seems woefully underpowered. I'm in the process of test driving this segment for a vehicle and i love how it looks and even how that na motor sounds, but gawwd it can't get out of its own way with out reving to 6500. So I'm just confused a bit

[@nebsampson8991]

You have to turn traction control off to disable auto-upshift

[@msrr1303]

Wish the new TLX kept the DI J series V6. This IS350 has an awesome V6, looks gorgeous and has the Lexus craftsmanship. But i don’t know if that’s enough considering how good everything else is.

[@ikbendusan]

this looks great

[@Kevin27182]

Waiting for them to put a v8 back in this and that would be very nice

[@EMNemesis]

A very nice Altezza indeed.

[@georgev5766]

Dang that’s a great looking car.

[@ripnsoar]

Gotta love Lexus!

[@viceshark]

I have a 2013 is350 that I am in love with. The 2021 is making me 👀 just a little bit. Actually a lotta bit. Looks so damn good.

[@viceshark]

I do hope they adjust the interior for production. As it is in this proto, it is lackluster for a Lexus.

[@viceshark]

Oh, and, the rumored is500 (ISF) 🤤🤤🤤