FOR MANY BUYERS, THE IS Sports sedan from Lexus is the ideal combination of performance, luxury and value for money. The new line-up should reinforce that perception.
Starting from $61,500 (plus on road costs) and available to pre-order now ahead of a November 6 arrival in Lexus dealerships, the new IS starts within $1000 of the highly regarded outgoing model despite offering significant new standard specification firsts.
Five ‘Lexus firsts’ in Australia become standard on all grades, including intersection turning assist, emergency steering assist, automated collision notification, SOS call and stolen vehicle tracking.
Other features that become standard on the Lexus IS for the first time include 18-inch alloy wheels (replacing 17-inch), an electric park brake (replacing foot-operated – hooray!), new 10.3-inch touch-display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a pre-collision system featuring daytime/night-ime pedestrian detection plus daytime cyclist detection, all-speed active cruise control, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, blind-spot monitor, parking support brake and rear cross-traffic alert+brake.
This is an addition to smart entry and start, heated and eight-way power adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, 10-speaker audio, DAB+, satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic, voice control and LED headlamps with automatic high-beam.
The significant expansion of leading luxury and driver assist technology is further leveraged by enhanced body rigidity, lighter suspension components and a wider front and rear track – all coming together as the first Lexus tuned at the company’s new purpose-built ‘mini Nürburgring’ test facility in Shimoyama, Japan.
The new IS sports sedan line-up includes the IS 300 Luxury powered by a 180kW and 350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is now Euro 6 emissions compliant.
It includes a retuned eight-speed automatic for more intuitive response and engaging performance.
For an additional $3000 – from $64,500 – the IS 300h Luxury delivers the innovative Lexus self-charging hybrid electric system combining a 221Nm 2.5-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder engine and 300Nm electric motor.
It achieves a combined 164kW and combined-cycle fuel consumption from as low as 5.1L/100km.
IS 300 Luxury and IS 300h Luxury customers can select a $2000-optional Enhancement Pack featuring a moonroof.
Alternatively, IS 300 Luxury and IS 300h Luxury customers can select a $5,500-optional Enhancement Pack 2 combining a moonroof with 19-inch alloy wheels, hi-grade LED headlamps, leather-accented seat trim, ventilated front seats, driver memory settings, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio and power rear sunshade.
The assertive IS F Sport is available across all three IS powertrains ranging from the $70,000 IS 300 F Sport, to the $73,000 IS 300h F Sport and the $75,000 IS 350 F Sport. The IS 350 is available as an F Sport grade for the first time.
The IS 350 boasts the Lexus 3.5-litre normally aspirated V6 petrol engine with 232kW and 380Nm.
Along with the IS 300, it shares a reworked eight-speed automatic transmission.
For the first time on an IS F Sport, 19-inch alloy wheels are standard, in addition to an F Sport bodykit and spoiler, F Sport scuff plates and ornamentation, hi-grade LED headlamps, five-mode Drive Select (Eco, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom), adaptive variable suspension, F Sport leather-accented trim, sports pedals and seats, driver memory settings, ventilated front seats and an LFA-style 8.0-inch TFT driver display.
IS 300 F Sport, IS 300h F Sport and IS 350 F Sport customers can select a $3300-optional Enhancement Pack offering a moonroof, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio and power rear sunshade.
Lexus Australia Chief Executive Scott Thompson said the new Lexus IS will reinvigorate the medium sedan class with its stunning focus on three key attributes.
“An intense focus on evocative design, imaginative technology and leading driving dynamics will help ensure a new generation of Lexus customers are welcomed into IS sports sedan ownership,” Mr Thompson said.
“The sports focus of the new IS, alongside the luxurious ES, together deliver two distinct personalities for Lexus customers to select from in this segment.”
New Lexus IS pricing
| Grade | Price (plus on road costs |
| IS 300 Luxury IS 300 Luxury with Enhancement Pack IS 300 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 2 IS 300 F Sport IS 300 F Sport with Enhancement Pack IS 300h Luxury IS 350 F Sport |
$61,500 $63,500 $67,000 $70,000 $73,100 $64,500 $75,000 |
Once we have tested and assessed the new Lexus IS Sports sedan range, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.