On paper, sedans like this should no longer exist. A naturally aspirated V-6 with an eight-speed automatic that sends power only to the rear wheels. Look far and wide throughout the automotive market, and you’ll find only one option offering this exact layout: the 2026 lexus is 350 F Sport RWD. Considering its relatively antiquated approach to the sports sedan formula, is there still a reason to buy the Lexus IS as it reaches the end of its production cycle? I recently had the distinct privilege of driving this exact vehicle, and my experience driving it shows me why Lexus is still keeping this old-school sports sedan alive.
A refreshing old school experience
When you see the 2026 Lexus IS in person for the first time, you get an immediate sense of both aggression and sophistication. Still, once you get behind the wheel, the intent of this luxury sedan becomes very clear.
First impressions and cabin feel
The first thing you’ll notice about this particular IS 350 F Sport is the optional $595 Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 paint, which is gorgeous. It is a deep blue color which shines brilliantly in sunlight and in the dark its beauty is more subdued but beautiful. One of those colors that you have to see in person to appreciate, this is arguably the best color of the IS 350.
Stepping into the cabin, you’re greeted by the F Sport’s warm and airy white and black Nulux and satin trimmed front seats, which look great too. The contrast stitching is a nice touch, albeit quite subtle. Soft-touch leather adorns the entire interior, and you never doubt the quality of fit and finish of the trim pieces. Everything in the interior looks and feels good, which is what you’d expect from a new Lexus sedan at this point. The F Sport seats are nice and firm without being aggressive. As far as comfort is concerned, they shape your body satisfactorily and are suitable for road trips.
N/A V-6 is still special
The IS 350’s most enduring mechanical component is also its most important: the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter 311-horsepower 2GR-FKS. This famous Toyota V-6 engine may have old bones, but it hasn’t lost any of its character. Is it fast? no way. However, it is plenty fast for the road. What is more important is the sound and feel of the engine. Push the IS 350 hard on the throttle, and you’ll be pleased with its response.
As you climb the revs, the engine’s intake sound is intoxicating to the point where even an upgraded exhaust system doesn’t seem necessary. All the sounds you want from this platform are already there in 100-percent stock configuration. If you really want more sound, your best option is an aftermarket intake system, if anything. If there’s any aspect of the drivetrain that disappoints, it’s the response of the eight-speed automatic. Compared to dual-clutch, there is no competition – dual-clutch is noticeably more responsive. However, the experience of the linearity of the power band is enjoyable in itself and gives the sports sedan a distinct character.
It’s not fast—and that’s the point
Simply put, if you’re buying a Lexus IS 350 expecting it to be a fast car, you’re buying the wrong car. There’s a different emphasis in this car, less about theatrics and outright speed.
Steering feel, suspension tuning, ride quality
Performance figures alone don’t tell the story of what the IS 350 F Sport feels like to drive. The steering feel of this Lexus sedan is quite weighty, clearly electronic but still satisfying to feel. What enhances its handling prowess is the $1,090 F Sport Handling Package, which adds an F Sport-tuned adaptive variable suspension and a Torsen limited-slip differential.
95 percent of the time, you drive in a more comfort-oriented mode for the daily commute or similar. Switch it to Sport+, however, and you feel as if the entire car has tightened up and become a more precise instrument of driving excellence. The IS 350 is not a light vehicle, but it shifts its weight with confidence. As far as ride quality goes, even in the more aggressive modes, the IS 350 cabin is impressively quiet and offers a true luxury feel.
IS 350 being compared with BMW M340i
Despite being a direct competitor to the 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport 2026 BMW M340iThese two vehicles have very different personalities. The BMW equivalent is certainly more expensive, and if you choose them the same way, the 3 Series will cost about $10,000 more.
What are you getting from BMW for that extra cash? Well, the decisive difference is the powertrain, consisting of a mild-hybrid 386-horsepower 3.0-liter B58 turbocharged inline-six mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The M340i’s power band is not linear at all. You feel the full torque output as soon as you put your foot down, and it doesn’t slow down completely until 5,000 rpm. The IS 350 isn’t fast, but the M340i is. Shifting is also quicker in the M340i, despite it also offering an eight-speed automatic.
last of its kind
Once you understand that the Lexus IS is truly the last product of a bygone era, you understand that this is your last chance to experience the sports sedans of yesteryear. Another question really worth pondering is why and how we got to where we are today.
Sports sedans have moved forward
The reality is that naturally aspirated V-6 platforms such as the one featured in the Lexus IS have largely disappeared due to stringent emissions regulations. In fact, the IS 350 RWD only achieves 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, not exactly cutting-edge figures. As a point of reference, the 2026 M340i RWD achieves 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, which is a significant improvement all around. Whatever engine powers the next-generation Lexus IS, it definitely won’t be a naturally aspirated V-6. If there is a new generation of the Lexus IS, it will likely feature a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, as does most of Lexus’ vehicle lineup.
IS 350 stays true to its roots
The automotive industry is defined by trends, and staying relevant depends on how dynamic and flexible your product can be. Although this may be a relevant rule, it is not true in all cases. For example, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, despite not having changed its fundamental architecture in decades, is currently outselling new-generation vehicles such as the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86. The Lexus IS is a very similar vehicle to the Miata in this sense.
The Lexus IS isn’t pretending to be something it’s not. It has a strong foundation, and its success comes from gradual improvements, not drastic generational redesign. This third-generation Lexus IS has been around since the 2014 model year, and is still seeing rising sales after all these years. The 2026 model year refresh has been successful so far, with 5,045 examples sold year-to-date compared to 4,779 copies of the 2025.
Who is this car really for?
Who is this IS 350 F Sport really for, now that I know how the car drives and feels? Well, the experience is something that goes far beyond what you can understand from the spec sheet.
Not designed to win comparison tests
On paper, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport can’t beat the BMW M340i or Audi S5 in terms of performance. Still, it was never intended to be the fastest in the segment. The Lexus IS knows what it does well, and it sticks to that winning formula with impressive dedication. While the IS sedan may not give you the best fuel efficiency, and it lacks low-end torque, it definitely offers the lowest maintenance costs compared to anything in its segment. In terms of reliability and cost of ownership, the IS’s naturally aspirated V-6 is in a class of its own. Ten years from now, the IS 350’s powertrain is likely to be more reliable and less expensive to maintain than its BMW counterpart.
The biggest achievement after driving the 2026 350 F Sport
Is the 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport the perfect sports sedan that will please every driving enthusiast? No, not even close. However, I came away wishing that more automakers would still have the courage to make cars like the Lexus IS. What the IS 350 offers is a distinctive character that has no direct counterpart in the market. This is its biggest strength. The 2GR V-6 engine makes the perfect sound, the cabin’s refinement is astonishing, and the car is absolutely gorgeous to look at. It’s not perfect, but considering what you get, it’s worth every penny.
- base trim engine
-
3.5-litre V6
- base trim transmission
-
8-speed automatic
- base trim drivetrain
-
Rear-wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
311 hp @6600 rpm
- base trim torque
-
280 lb-ft. @4800rpm
- Make
-
lexus
- Sample
-
Is
- Section
-
compact luxury sedan
Source: Lexus, BMW, AudiEPA
