The 2024 Lexus IS 500 F Sport's wonderful V8 engine and sporty handling make it fun on a winding road. But they can't mask the car's dated design and tech. The IS 500's smaller size and uncompetitive price are also drawbacks. We like driving the IS 500, but it's not enough to make up for the car's other drawbacks.Read full review
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
9/17/2024
The 2024 Lexus IS line is the company's entrant in the small luxury sport sedan class, supporting the larger and more luxurious ES and LS models. The IS lineup includes the competent IS 300, the midrange IS 350 and the V8-powered IS 500. A significant refreshening in the 2021 model year gave the IS a new lease on life with updated technology and improved handling as well as a few style tweaks. For 2024, the Lexus IS is essentially unchanged.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for premium unleaded in New Mexico.
On the surface, the 2024 Lexus IS lineup is priced similarly to other sport sedans in its class. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that you get more standard features. Options are more affordable than the competition, too. But the IS was last redesigned in 2014 and it has fallen behind newer competitors. Compared to other sedans, the IS has cramped rear seats, for example, and the infotainment system isn't as advanced. Even performance, which is often touted by Lexus, trails the rest of the class. We point out all of the IS' advantages and drawbacks in our Expert Rating below.
Competitors to consider
The 2024 Lexus IS is at a disadvantage against its German rivals. Its aging platform is certainly one reason, but even in its earlier years, the IS fell short of expectations set by the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. You'll likely pay more for these alternatives to get all of the Lexus IS features, but for some buyers the added cost will be worth it.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Reese Counts
Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
We drove the 2024 Lexus IS on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Performance
8/10
How does the IS 500 F Sport drive? The IS 500 feels like a bit of a throwback with its naturally aspirated engine and rear-wheel-drive layout. It's not as quick as some top-spec sport sedans — in Edmunds' testing, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds — though it's certainly decent. The engine itself is a real highlight. Power delivery is smooth and linear, with loads of oomph all the way to redline. It sounds fantastic, too, especially compared to the clattery four-cylinder engines in some other luxury sedans. The transmission is a letdown, with mediocre shifts and gearing that could be shortened for better throttle response.
But it's not just about power. The IS 500's suspension is tuned for sporty driving. While brake fade and a slow transmission keep it from being a track car, it's quite good on a winding canyon road. The steering is quick and offers a decent amount of feedback, and the chassis and suspension feel nice and balanced. The rear-wheel-drive layout allows for a bit more play than all-wheel-drive rivals.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the IS 500 F Sport? The IS 500 comes with a firmer suspension setup than non-V8 IS models, though we wouldn't call it harsh. It gives the IS a taut ride quality, but it's not so stiff that it will beat you up when going over bumps. Sporty but balanced. The front seats don't have as many available adjustments as the seats in some other luxury sedans, but the basic shape is so good that you settle in quickly. The climate control system and the heated and ventilated seats work well to keep you comfortable. The car is quiet, too, though the IS 500's optional summer tires produce a bit more noise than we expect from a Lexus. Still, the wonderful exhaust note from the car's 5.0-liter V8 makes up for any complaints we have about excessive tire noise.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The driving position is excellent, with decent all-around visibility and easy-to-reach controls, but the back seat remains one of the smallest in the class. Getting in and out is a squeeze for adults, and passengers approaching 6 feet tall will feel cramped. The infotainment system's touchpad controller can be distracting to use when you're searching for various on-screen menus or buttons, but thankfully the display's touchscreen serves as a helpful work-around.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $997 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $997 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the 500 F SPORT Performance Premium trim.
2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT pricing in Albuquerque, NM
How’s the tech? The infotainment system uses a touchscreen interface, so controlling features such as the audio, navigation or standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is relatively simple. The IS features voice commands, too, though they're limited compared to some rival systems. We also wish Lexus would add some more USB ports, especially USB-C ports used by most smartphone cables these days. The Mark Levinson audio system is a real highlight and one of the best in this class. Great range and clarity, even at high volumes. Our ears would say it's well worth the upgrade.
The IS comes with a suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and automatic high beams. Blind-spot warning is standard too. That's a good lineup of features, but their operation lacks the polish of the class leaders. For example, the adaptive cruise is slow to respond and leaves large gaps between the IS and the car in front.
Storage
6.5/10
How’s the storage? The IS' trunk space is near the bottom of the class for volume, but it is wide and tall, making it more usable than the cargo areas in some rival sedans with superior on-paper specs. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, so you can expand the space if you don't need the rear seats. Storage inside the cabin is really lacking. There's no good place to set your phone or sunglasses besides under the armrest.
The tight rear seat is a drawback when it comes to child safety seats too. There's not much space to move around when you're anchoring a seat, and larger rear-facing seats will likely force front passengers to scoot forward.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
6/10
How economical is the IS 500 F Sport? The Lexus IS 500 has an EPA estimate of 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We saw 21.9 mpg on our testing route, which typically results in a few mpg above the combined rating. These are pretty poor figures for the class, where rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Audi have combined ratings that match the highway rating for the Lexus. This V8 is nice, but it's thirsty.
Value
7/10
Is the IS 500 F Sport a good value? The IS 500's price is a big hurdle to overcome. It costs more than rivals such as the BMW M340i while offering less performance, efficiency, tech and space. The V8 is fantastic, but it doesn't offer the performance to match the IS 500's price. Outside of the engine, the IS feels dated inside and out, no surprise since it's based on a platform that debuted more than a decade ago. A four-year/50,000-mile basic and fix-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty are better than the class average, so it's not all bad news. Lexus also includes four years of roadside assistance, and the first year of service visits are covered too.
Wildcard
8/10
Lexus' smallest sedan can feel like a bit of an afterthought. The design is more than a decade old, and updating the headlights and taillights only goes so far. While it's not a bad-looking car, it looks dated when compared to much newer rivals. It is fun to drive, though. Yes, it's not the quickest car in the world, but the engine is a real standout in this class. It's entertaining on a back road, too, thanks to its small footprint, rear-wheel-drive layout and sporty suspension that doesn't punish you. It's not a car for the track, but it won't leave you bored on a nice back road.
Which IS does Edmunds recommend?
We recommend the midrange IS 350. For a reasonable price increase, you get a noticeably more powerful engine, along with several added features. Within that model, we suggest checking out the full F Sport trim since it's eligible for the Dynamic Handling package. On top of that, all-wheel drive is a good add-on if you live in regions with inclement weather or if you're looking to maximize performance.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the newest sedans in the class, and its 2022 redesign shows how much engineering and technology have advanced when compared to the aging Lexus IS. The C-Class' base four-cylinder outperforms the IS 350's V6 and also beats the IS 300's fuel economy estimates. The C-Class further benefits from a more luxurious interior and one of the best infotainment systems in the industry.
The Audi A4 is priced similarly to the Lexus IS but surpasses it in a number of ways. The A4's base engine is competitive with the IS 350's performance and also gets better fuel economy than the IS 300. The A4 continues to pull ahead with rear seats that can accommodate adults, more modern electronics, and an optimal balance of luxury and performance that lands between Mercedes and BMW.
BMW essentially invented the compact luxury sport sedan with the 3 Series decades ago. In this class, it remains one of the more performance-oriented choices with sharp handling and plenty of driver engagement. It has a firmer ride quality than rivals, though, which may be a concern if comfort is one of your priorities, and the price tends to climb quickly with options.
Warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front.
Rear Cross-Traffic Warning
Warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your path while you're in reverse.
NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
4 / 5
Passenger
4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
5 / 5
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
9.5%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
FAQ
Is the Lexus IS a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 IS both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.5 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the IS has 10.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Lexus IS. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Lexus IS?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Lexus IS:
New IS 300 F Sport Design trim level
Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2014
To determine whether the Lexus IS is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the IS. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the IS's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Lexus IS a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Lexus IS is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 IS and gave it a 7.5 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 IS is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Lexus IS?
The least-expensive 2024 Lexus IS is the 2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $58,870.
Other versions include:
500 F SPORT Performance 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) which starts at $58,870
500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) which starts at $63,370
If you're interested in the Lexus IS, the next question is, which IS model is right for you? IS variants include 500 F SPORT Performance 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A), and 500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A). For a full list of IS models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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