2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT

Price Range: $59,420 - $63,920 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

+102

A smooth V8 and sporty handling are the 2025 IS 500 F Sport's strengths. But you'll also need to put up with the IS' dated tech and aging design. And as much as we enjoy the driving experience, rival luxury sedans offer more performance for equal or less money.Read full review

Rank #5

10 Small luxury sedans

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$61,616

Low supply is pushing the market average above MSRP.

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Prices based on sales in TN thru 4/14/25

Final assembly in Japan

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2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Review

Pros

Smooth ride quality and comfortable front seats
Nimble and secure handling
Sweet-sounding V8 in the IS 500
More features for the money compared to German alternatives

Cons

Back seat is tight for the class
Lackluster acceleration from six-cylinder models
Limited storage and cargo space

What's new

Limited-edition package available for the car's 25th anniversary
Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio^{Correspondent
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

3/17/2025

The 2025 Lexus IS is the brand's least expensive sedan and works as a sort of entry point to the brand. There is plenty to like about the IS. It both handles well and has a refined, comfortable ride. We also like its comfortable seats and the superior value proposition of the Lexus compared to all of its German competitors. Our complaints are limited to an infotainment system that lacks character and back seats that are too small.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2025 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 $3.51 per gallon for premium unleaded in Tennessee.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Tennessee

$213/mo

$144/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Edmunds spotlight: The IS has old bones

Even though it looks modern, the IS is actually more than 10 years old now. The body that underpins the current IS was introduced way back in 2014. It's so old that the BMW 3 Series has seen two completely new generations in the time Lexus has been building this same IS platform. If you don't mind that, then the IS will likely be a fine option. For 2025, Lexus is releasing a Special Appearance package for the IS 500 F Sport to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Lexus IS. It includes bright yellow paint and BBS wheels. Lexus is only making 180 of these anniversary models.

Competitors to consider

The 2025 Lexus IS has some pretty stiff competition. The BMW 3 Series is a more well-rounded sedan, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a tech tour de force. That said, both of those cars cost far more than the IS and grow even pricier with options. The IS does offer one thing none of the Germans do: V8 power from the IS 500 version. So if you really want a V8 in your compact sedan, the Lexus is your only choice.

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.
Rated for you by America's best test team.}

Average

7.5

out of 10

We drove the 2025 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 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 you'd get with all-wheel-drive rivals.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the 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

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Technology

7.5/10

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 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 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 six-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 bit more money compared to the base trim, you get a noticeably more powerful engine and several additional features.

Compare 2025 Lexus IS trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Lexus IS Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.7

12 reviews

5(84%)

4(8%)

3(0%)

2(8%)

1(0%)

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2025 Lexus IS Features & Specs

Type:

500 F SPORT

Trim:

500 F SPORT Performance

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$59,420
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$213/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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At a Glance:

$41,360starting MSRP

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Safety

Key safety features on the IS include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

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	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested

FAQ

Is the Lexus IS a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 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 2025 Lexus IS?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Lexus IS:

Limited-edition package available for the car's 25th anniversary
Part of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2014

Learn more

Is the Lexus IS reliable?

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 2025 Lexus IS a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Lexus IS is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 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 2025 IS is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2025 Lexus IS?

The least-expensive 2025 Lexus IS is the 2025 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 $59,420.

Other versions include:

500 F SPORT Performance 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) which starts at $59,420
500 F SPORT Performance Premium 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) which starts at $63,920

Learn more

What are the different models of Lexus IS?

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

2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT

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2025 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Review

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