2026 Lexus IS

[Gor134]

They should have just put this interior in the 2021 model and market it as a "4th" gen lol.

Probably budgeting. Spent most of it on sheetmetal for the 2021 update hence the light interior changes, whereas now clearly majority of budget was spent on the interior with the main exterior change just being the front bumper

 

[F1 Silver Arrows]

View attachment 10538View attachment 10539
Made these quick edits.

Easy fix- wonder why they couldn't just do this?

This makes it look more like a Camry though.

But my 2¢ on this car is that it looks like utter ass.

 

[Gor134]

This makes it look more like a Camry though.

But my 2¢ on this car is that it looks like utter ass.

Previous 2 gens of Camrys had spindle grilles, nothing new here

 

[mikeavelli]

Got an exclusive look here at HQ

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[mikeavelli]

And if anything it looks more Crown. Not really Camry but as soon as someone posted that it became a simple thing lol

 

[NomadDan]

North American press release:

2026 LEXUS IS: PERFECTING THE SPORT SEDAN - Lexus USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (Sep. 9, 2025) – Since its debut in 1999, the IS has embodied the pursuit of driving enjoyment as a compact FR (front rear) sports sedan. Over time, it has come to represent the very essence of the Lexus driving experience, earning enduring praise for its dynamic performance and...

pressroom.lexus.com

-3.5 V6 as sole powertrain option. No V8.
-Available in rear or AWD.
-Two trims: F SPORT Design and F SPORT.

I'm surprised the 3.5 V6 soldiers on. Sad to see the V8 go. I hope this refresh is just a 2-3 year stop-gap until the next all new IS gets released.

 

[Levi]

I hope this refresh is just a 2-3 year stop-gap until the next all new IS gets released.

If the next IS is not electric like the ES…

 

[mikeavelli]

Not me inside but a friend. I realy like this.

 

[ssun30]

Could have just refreshed the interior and kept everything the same (including the V8). But they decided to ruin an old but well optimized product. That interior looks more premium than a post-LCI 3-series.

 

[mikeavelli]

Not everyone liked the spindle. There are people saying they like this.

The spindle is what 15 years old. I guess the target is changing. So those of us that like it might not like the changes.

 

[sl0519]

Not everyone liked the spindle. There are people saying they like this.

The spindle is what 15 years old. I guess the target is changing. So those of us that like it might not like the changes.

It’s not just about killing the spindle. Back in the 2021 2nd refresh, they actually reworked the body panels to fit the design, so the whole thing looked tight and cohesive. But this time they just slapped a new face on without really reworking the panels, and it screams afterthought. Looks forced as hell and straight-up ugly.

 

[Levi]

IS300h powertrain has not evolved since 2013.

 

[pacman1]

It’s not just about killing the spindle. Back in the 2021 2nd refresh, they actually reworked the body panels to fit the design, so the whole thing looked tight and cohesive. But this time they just slapped a new face on without really reworking the panels, and it screams afterthought. Looks forced as hell and straight-up ugly.

I mean, your opinion is just as valid as someone who likes the new grille. No one is forcing anyone to buy it. Simple solution, don’t buy it.

 

[GNS]

I already know many people looking to buy this, mostly for the interior tech update, but a fair number also like the new grille. I have to say, I think that we need to see this car in person before really passing judgement.

I have seen real pics of that exact Neutrino Grey (Wind?) IS350 that @mikeavelli is sitting in, from all angles, and it looks way better than the press release pics.

 

[Kelvin2020]

The proportions of the current model are already perfect, there’s absolutely no need to change the exterior at all!!! It feels like they redesigned it just for the sake of change. Its hard to convince existing IS owners that this looks like a Lexus rather than a Toyota. We been talking this for long time, as a luxury brand they should create a clear distinction from the mainstream brand, isn’t it?

The interior does look nice though.

 

[mikeavelli]

 

[Motor]

 

[Levi]

First time IS300h has exposed dual tailpipes?

 

[Gecko]

I don't care for the new front end but I don't think it's bad either... the 2021 IS refresh is probably one of the best sedan designs on the market, so unfortunately any edits to it were going to be downhill. Lexus' design language continues to get closer and closer to Toyota which I don't like, and the L E X U S script on the back looks tacked on, which it literally is (ok, not that big of a deal).

The interior is a major upgrade - I really like it. If Lexus had released this interior with the 2021 exterior, they would have been able to call it a new generation and running that car from 2021 - 2027 would have been great. The steering wheel is parts bin NX/RX/TX whereas the old steering wheel was unique to the IS/RC but hard to nitpick when it's so hard to justify this car's existence at all.

No V8 = no care for me. I'm just glad this car exists still, but it's not for me personally.

 

[CRSKTN]

Way too much camry and crown in the front end and no v8 = hard to be excited.