Mainstream sedans have been on a decline due to the popularity of crossovers & SUVs. But luxury sedans have never had it better. There are still a lot of choices when it comes to this class of vehicle. While many have been updated in the past 2 or so years, the 2024 Lexus IS has been trailing behind a bit. So in 2024, is it still worth it to buy or lease a new Lexus IS?
Performance
Engine – Unlike most of the luxury sedan rivals, the Lexus IS is still available with a naturally aspirated V6 engine. The V6 in this IS300 AWD develops 260 hp & 231 lb-ft of torque (194 kW & 313 Nm). That is a reasonable amount of power and it enables the 1,745 kg (3,847 lbs) IS300 to accelerate from a stop to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds according to Lexus. Thing is, other rivals have turbocharged 4-cylinder engines that produce roughly the same power with less weight to lug around. But despite the non-turbocharged nature of this engine, the V6 picks up pretty quickly and it doesn’t feel as though it needs to rev too much to get the heavy car moving from a stop.
However, should you need more power, the IS350 utilizes the same 3.5L V6 engine but it develops 311 hp & 280 lb-ft of torque (232 kW & 380 Nm). Additionally, the 2024 Lexus IS300 is available with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which develops 241 hp & 258 lb-ft of torque (180 kW & 350 Nm). But this 4-cylinder engine is only available in the U.S. market and only with the RWD version of the IS300. In Canada, we only get the V6 with AWD, and the V8 IS500.
Fuel Economy – Due to the heavy weight of the car and large displacement of the V6, the 2024 Lexus IS300 AWD is not a particularly fuel efficient sedan. It is rated for 12.2 L/100km (19.3 MPG) in a city and 9.0 L/100km (26.1 MPG) on a highway. During my time with the car, I just barely managed to average 12.0 L/100km (19.6 MPG). Whats more, the engine requires premium fuel.
Transmission – Paired with this V6 is a 6-speed automatic transmission. This transmission is great at providing smooth gear changes which is what the primary focus of a Lexus vehicle is; smoothness. However, the IS is also the sportiest Lexus sedan on sale and this 6-speed automatic is not sporty. It is slow to react to a pull of one of the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. And at times, it almost behaves like a CVT because the engine’s rpms don’t seem to drop while the car is accelerating. They just hover at the 2,000 rpms mark as you set off from a stop light. The 8-speed that is in the IS500 is a much better transmission but the 8-speed that is found in the BMW 3-series is even better still.
Braking – While accelerating in the Lexus IS300 is fairly routine, stopping this luxury sedan is a bit more exciting. The IS300 utilizes 4-piston front calipers with 13.1” rotors that provide the bulk of the stopping force. The brake pedal has a confidence inspiring firm feel but without being overly grabby while you’re going through the Starbucks drive-thru. This luxury sedan has the brakes of a sports car.
Handling – Speaking of sports cars, the IS has double wishbone front suspension with independent multilink rear just like the suspension setups of some sports cars. The difference is that the suspension is tuned to be a bit more comfortable than the sporty German rivals. This is a car that will take you to work, every single day, in absolute comfort.
But it’s not all lost when you find yourself on a twisting mountain road. The steering is direct and the chassis reacts well to quick changes in the road. It feels stable through the turns, not only because of the standard AWD system, but also thanks to the stiffened chassis of this current generation IS. However, it’s not as delicate or as sharp as a BMW 3-series or a Genesis G70, but this Lexus IS300 will still entertain you on these types of roads like a Gladiator did in the Roman times.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – As I alluded to in the Performance section, the 2024 Lexus IS300 is a comfortable luxury sedan on city streets. With the sportier F-Sport tuned suspension, the ride quality is very good. Bumps are smoothed out and they don’t feel as sharp when the 19” wheels drive over them.
The seats further aid comfort with plenty of padding and a hip hugging fit that feels like a trusty glove in the middle of winter. For my body type, these are just about the perfect seats I’ve had the pleasure to be in.
Interior Space – Look at that red interior. It is eye-catching and stunning to look at but the interior dimensions of the Lexus IS are on the small side of the spectrum. Front occupants have an Ok amount of space with just enough legroom and just enough headroom if the seat is at a lower position. As for that big hump on the driver’s side foot area, I don’t see it as an issue because your right foot is always going to be on the throttle and brake pedals. Your leg will naturally make a 90 degree angle where the hump is.
But in the back seats, space is very tight for adults. Granted, I am not the average sized adult at 6’4” so for me, I’d need to take up gymnastics to comfortably sit in the rear. But even average height adults will struggle for space because the Lexus IS has about 3” less legroom than the 3-series and G70 & a whopping 4” less than the C-class. Additionally, when you exit the car, be mindful of the door sill. Your pants can easily wipe the dirt off the car if you’re not careful.
Just like the back seats, the trunk of the 2024 Lexus IS300 is small compared to other luxury competitors. It has a cargo capacity of just 306 L (10.8 cu-ft). The back seats can fold down 60/40 for more space but there’s an awfully large step between them and the trunk floor. As well, there is a spare wheel under the trunk floor.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The cabin of the Lexus IS is well isolated when you find yourself driving through the downtown core of a city. Engine noise, tire noise, and the noises coming from other vehicles are subdued from entering the serene cabin. However, once you’re on the highway back home, that’s when you’ll hear the noise coming from the tires. You’ll have to turn up the radio volume in order to drown out the noise. I should mention that this demo vehicle came equipped with winter tires which are generally louder at higher speeds than all-season tires. Additionally, when you find yourself on a winding road and mash your foot on the throttle pedal, the engine produces a loud intake noise. This is the type of noise which is Ok to intrude into the cabin under these situations.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – One area where the 2024 Lexus IS300 has a distinct advantage over its luxury competitors is with the starting price. In Canada, it will cost you $47,250 CAD ($41,235 USD, RWD) which includes the standard AWD system. In the US, the AWD system for the IS300 is a $2,000 USD option. This demo vehicle has the F-Sport 3 package and it costs $58,050 CAD ($53,310 USD).
Gadgets – $60,000 CAD is a lot of money for this car but it has almost everything that a businessman or a Lexus fan would want and need. Perhaps the only option that is missing is a head-up display. But other than that, it has NuLuxe synthetic leather (which feels like the real stuff), heated & ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, power sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power adjustable driver & passenger front seats, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, an LFA inspired digital instrument cluster, a 10.3” infotainment screen, and a CD player! When was the last time you saw one of those?
Speaking of the infotainment screen, it is primarily controlled by the touchpad on the center console. This is the older generation Lexus system that is a bit more finicky to use than the new system that is found on the NX or RX for example. This older system does support Apple CarPlay & Android Auto but they are wired instead of wireless. The screen is a touchscreen which makes using those apps a bit more convenient but to use the built-in native system, I found the touchpad a bit easier rather than the touchscreen.
Interior Design – How about that red? I think it’s the right amount and the right shade of red. To some, it may be a bit much which is why the IS is available with a traditional black or a white interior.
The interior design is showing its age, especially with that infotainment system. More importantly, for me at least, it is all functional thanks to the physical controls. Every button or knob function is clearly visible and where you expect it to be.
Exterior Design – This generation of the Lexus IS received a mid-cycle styling update not too long ago. I think it looks great but you have to be a real gearhead to know the difference between this base IS300 and the top-dog IS500. Both cars have remarkably similar styling. The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at the badge and the tailpipe design. Overall, I absolutely love the styling of this car and there’s something sinister about the way it looks as it’s driving towards you on a city street.
Safety – The 2024 Lexus IS300 is equipped with standard Lexus Safety System 2.5+. This includes Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection and bicycle detection, Lane departure alert with steering assist, auto high beam, dynamic radar cruise control, left turn intersection assist and lane tracing assist. The car also comes equipped with blind spot sensors and rear cross traffic alert, backup camera (or surround view cameras as optional extra), and available intuitive parking assist with auto braking.
Warranty – One reason why you may want to consider this Lexus IS300 over a German rival is the warranty and perceived reliability. It’s no secret that Lexus/Toyota vehicles are some of the most dependable vehicles on sale and this IS should last a long time. Take into consideration that the engine has been around for a long time as has the transmission and this car should last longer than your ownership of it.
As for the warranty, it is covered by a 4 year / 60,000 km new vehicle and 6 year / 110,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Canadian Lexus warranty, click here. For information on American warranty, click here.
Conclusion – In the end, the 2024 Lexus IS300 is in need of a major update. That is very evident by just the infotainment system alone, never mind the interior design or the 6-speed automatic transmission or the V6 that only produces the same power as a turbo 4-cylinder.
But the Lexus IS has charm and there’s something really cool about how this current generation of IS looks when you see it driving down the street. However, I would not recommend the IS300 unless you’re on a very tight budget and you can only afford the base model without any options on it. All of its competitors cannot match it on its low starting price. But if you do have around $60,000 CAD to spend on the IS, go for the IS350. You’re getting almost all of the features that this fully loaded IS300 has, you’re getting more power from the V6, and it’s still a lot better value than what the Germans can provide.
Thank you to Lexus Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Lexus.ca
2024 Lexus IS300 AWD Gallery
