In a world obsessed with progress, we are told that “new” is always “better”. We are told that we must drive cars powered by batteries and that dashboards should look like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.
So, by those modern standards, a car like the 2026 Lexus IS350 is like one of those flip phones from the 2000’s. It has a 6-speed gearbox, a naturally aspirated V6, and still has physical buttons. It’s a middle finger to modernism, and that is exactly why this might be the only luxury sedan worth buying.
Performance
Engine – For the 2026 model year, the Lexus IS is only available with this 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine. Sadly, the V8 is gone as is the IS300 which utilized the same V6 but with less power. In the IS350, the V6 produces 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque (232 kW & 380 Nm) which in 2026 sounds… modest. 0 to 100 km/h takes just under 6 seconds. It’s not “teleportation” fast, but it’s “I’m having a good time” fast. In everyday traffic, it doesn’t take much effort from your right foot to get this luxury sedan going off the line or to overtake slower moving vehicles on a highway. Like I said, it’s an adequate amount of power and with the engine not having any turbocharger or hybrid assist, it should last longer than all of its rivals.
Fuel Economy – Due to the heavy nature of this sedan and the large displacement of the engine, the 2026 Lexus IS 350 is not quite as fuel efficient as its rivals. It’s rated for 12.4 L/100km (19 MPG) in a city and 8.9 L/100km (26.4 MPG) on a highway. Those numbers are not too bad but in the real world, I was struggling to keep it under 13 L/100km as my average was 12.9 L/100km (18.2 MPG). And before you ask, I was being gentle on the throttle and I did drive quite a bit on highways.
Transmission – Further differentiating itself from its rivals, the Lexus IS350 still uses 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.
Braking – While accelerating in the Lexus IS350 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. For 2026, the engineers have adjusted the handling characteristics a bit to be a bit sharper than before. They’ve tweaked the Adaptive Variable Suspension so it can react to a pebble in the road faster than you can blink. The electric power steering has also been recalibrated. It’s heavier, more deliberate. You actually know what the front tires are doing. It feels… mechanical.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – On the comfort side of the coin, there’s a certain way that this car drives over potholes. In most sport sedans, the ride can at times feel like sitting on a jackhammer. But in the IS, it just absorbs bumps. If you opt for the adaptive variable suspension, the bumps become “rounded” and smoothed out whenever 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 – The downside? Interior space. 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 2026 Lexus IS350 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.
But when you put your foot down, Lexus would have you believe that what you hear is the real sound of the engine and that’s sort of partially true. The IS 350 has a resonator that is designed to enhance the engine’s sound into the cabin. But the IS 350, much like many other modern cars, still plays a digital file through the stereo system to enhance the driving experience. There’s even a burble when you lift your foot off the throttle in the Sport+ mode. It sounds great, but at the end of the day, it’s fake. From the outside, the V6 sounds like any other V6. Thankfully, this active sound control system can be turned completely off.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – This IS 350 starts at $56,855 CAD ($46,895 USD) and by the time you add the F-Sport 3 or Special Appearance Packages to it, you’re looking at almost $70,000 CAD ($58,885 USD), before fees & taxes.
Gadgets – As far as a luxury sedan goes, the 2026 Lexus IS 350 comes equipped with just the right amount of stuff. It has the lovely leather upholstered seats which are heated & ventilated in the front, there’s a heated steering wheel, a power sunroof, a wireless phone charging pad, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and surround view cameras.
One of the biggest updates to the 2026 Lexus IS 350 is the addition of a 12.3-inch touchscreen and the removal of the finicky touchpad on the center console. This puts the IS 350 firmly in 2026 with this infotainment system allowing for wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto connectivity. It’s the same system that is used in many other Lexus and Toyota vehicles with quick response times, an intuitive layout, and crisp graphics.
Interior Design – On the inside, Lexus has done something revolutionary. They kept physical controls! You can change the climate temperature without entering a sub-menu. Sadly, Lexus has moved with the times, a bit, and gotten rid of the semi-analog gauge cluster. Now, it’s all just a digital screen in front of the driver. But it’s not all just iPads and pixels. Lexus has added some “artistry.” You can now have the center console finished in something called “Forged Bamboo.” It’s made from real bamboo fibers pressed together under enough pressure to create a diamond… probably. Either way, it looks fantastic; like something you’d find in a high-end Tokyo hotel.
Exterior Design – Visually, the 2026 IS 350 still looks like the sharpest tool in the shed. The spindle grille has grown over last year’s model but I think it looks even better now. The 19-inch BBS forged wheels look slick, especially with the bright red calipers behind them. And you can get a performance exhaust system to make your IS 350 sound as good as it looks. And that’s real exhaust sound, not the fake stuff from the speakers.
Safety – The 2026 Lexus IS 350 is equipped with standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. 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 IS350 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 – So, why should you buy this over an Audi or Mercedes? Simple. Those cars are gadgets. They’re like iPads with wheels that will feel obsolete in 3 to 5 years time. The Lexus IS 350 is a car. It’s analog, it’s reliable, and it’s unashamedly old-school. It’s for the person who wants to actually drive, rather than just be “assisted” to their destination by a computer chip. It’s not the most logical choice. It’s not the most futuristic choice. But in a world of soulless appliances, It’s the one that still feels like it has a heart.
Thank you to Lexus Canada for providing the 2026 IS 350 F-Sport. www.Lexus.ca
2026 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport Gallery
