Personally, I dont care if the IS 350 is competitive or not. Having put a few thousand miles on mine I'd buy it again. It feels solid and reassuring, the tech is tried and true and I'm betting this car will become a sought after sports sedan before long. Surely, it will still be on the road when the competition's GDI turbo 4cyls will be in the shop. Most of all, the IS 350 is simply stunning. I dont need to drive it. Just looking at it puts a smile on my face :)

Just test drove the fully loaded is350 awd and I think it’s amazing. Quality and reliability is definitely there. Perfect amount of power for the street, handling is great and I know it’s gonna drive the same in 15 years. Great job Lexus!

A screaming V6 that needs high rpms, meaning naturally aspirated. How is this not a dream for car enthusiasts? It won't have several turbos to go bad, it sounds great, and is a Japanese wonder that won't break. The Japanese are a picky bunch, I mean have you looked at how perfectionist they are? Take a look next time you eat Sushi at their restaurants, or even better look at how they serve traditional tea...

The front of this car looks great the Lexus Predator face works on this platform

Let me say this . At 59 years old I was with Cadillac for 33 years. The the CTS and ATS now using the CT badge are void of craftsmanship. My last two were NYS lemons . And Full refunds . My heart is with them. But unfortunately all made right before 5 pm on Friday. Get a Lexus and your in the dealer for just service. Period Great review on the IS

Thank you for going into detail about the suspension and showing the actual parts.

My wife and I traded in her 2019 IS300 F Sport (Myca blue paint) and bought the identical 2021 Lexus IS350 F Sport (Myca Blue) that was tested in this video to include the same interior and all optional equipment offered. Ours is rear wheel drive. Let me tell you that this gentlemen provides an excellent overview of this car and its handling. My wife and I made the best decision in selling her 2019 and purchasing this 2021.

The analogue clock still adorns the dash, Thank Goodness!

I know a lot of people like to bag on this car for not being all new and not being quicker, etc. But I absolutely love it! I had a 2011 IS350 that was a really great car and I miss it, shouldn't have bought a truck.

This car costs the same as a C300, 330i and A4.... I’d take this over any of those options in this price range any day. More horsepower, better looking and more reliable. The trifecta. Why do people compare this to c43 or 340 when they cost 5-10K more.

Brilliant review and information!

Saddle brown or tan would be the best colour option for that blue exterior.

Once again Lexus makes an old-school NA RWD car that isn’t the fastest, but should be nice to drive and reliable to own. Looks great too. Good effort! 👍

I love that they still make this. I would take this over a 3 or C class. Audi is trash. I've owned German and will never own another German again. This will last 20 years. I also heard they are making an IS500 and putting the V8 from the GSF/LC500 in this. Waiting for that one.

I purchased one IS350 F sport 3 weeks ago and I'm loving it. The only let down is the torque.

I own a 2nd Generation IS. At 193,000 mi, it feels and drives like a new car. No rattles or squeaks, and a blast to drive in the mountains. I hope it lasts the rest of my life. Lexus is King!

Good looking car and a nice interior too. If you're not a speed demon then this is a super nice car to enjoy your daily drive.

Neat and detailed review sir. Pleasure to watch!

I just ordered one in this exact spec minus the sunroof. I’m 6’9 so I need every extra .5 inch of head room I can get 😂

Looks amazing!!

Great review

I agree with you on the colour combinations , and the red interior and blue exterior looks very good.

Im glad i found u again

The GS 350 F Sport is the best Sedan ever!

MM thank you for giving the GS respect!

Is it just me or does that V6 exhaust note sound great

looks stunning, best in its class easily...

My son just picked up a CPO 2018 IS 350 F Sport. It is one very nice car. Black with the red interior. I haven't seen the Ultrasonic Blue, but I have seen the Grecian Water when my son was in the dealer. It is indeed a beautiful color!

How about a RWD Kia Stinger or Genesis G70 vs IS350? What do you think? Driving experience, feel, ect.. Thanks Motoman for the review.

Like MM, I mourn the loss of the GS, it was my favorite Lexus outside of the LC. This update is a nice refresh of a proven platform. I am nervous about how long Lexus will keep making this video. If you watch MM’s review of the 2019 ES F Sport, he correctly predicts the end of the GS. I think he’s possibly right in being concerned about what the future holds for RWD inline 6 sports sedans. Hopefully Lexus will continue to make the IS and eventually an ISF.

DA MOST SENSUAL SPORT SEDAN IN ITS CLASS AND BEYOND

Thank you! I'm struggling between this and a s5 sportback. Didn't hear you compare this to the s4 or s5. Thoughts here?

I'm looking forward to getting one next year, it's perfect for what it is

Nice review- I have this car and am wondering if switching tires to Michelin Pilot 4S would increase grip and reduce wheelspin and excess drifting?

A sport package with bright work? In 2020? Color me impressed, M. the contrast with the blue is magnificent. Kudos to them. You know me, M, I'm not a Lexus guy at all, but I tip my hat off to them for pulling this off. If I was looking for something in this segment, I'd seriously consider it. The one thing I don't like about the new IS is the taillights. Light bars overstayed their welcome & I can't wait for this fad to go away. As always, excellent work, M.

It baffles me why they wouldn't go for a zf8 speed in the rear wheel drive, unreliability issues not the case the zf8 is just as reliable. Sad really because the driving dynamics are up to par, and there is still a novelty with the NA. Novelty of a slow shifting, transmission in a 2020 sports sedan... eh i'd beg to differ.

Only thing I hate is that Lexus IS still using the 3.5L v6 from both of my 2006/2008 Lexus IS350....no increase in power after 12-14 years.....that’s sad. At least put the 3.5L TT from the LS500..... (which the LS is on my shopping list)

Part of me hates that its not more powerful than my older IS, but it really doesnt need it. If you want a rocket, get an electric car.

This looks really good. As you mentioned, RWD cars/sedans are just so much more fun! I hope more and more manufacturers keep on doing these. Thanks for this good work and for your love for real cars :)

Would this be good small for a 5"11 245 pound person?

If this car weighs around 3400 lbs and with 311 hp it should drive pretty dang well like the last generation is350. Those were pretty legendary back in 07

Car looks great

Still a great car and piece of engineering. Where manufacturers are downsizing completely Lexus still offers the mighty 2GR engine. No need to reinvent the wheel, just improve it.

MotoMan, as a current 2021 IS 350 owner and former 2016 IS 300 owner, AND whose wife has a 2021 330i M Sport, I have some thoughts. But first, thank you for making this video. I decided to go back to the IS partially because of this video. So keep it up, please and thank you! I will say, in response to the question of whether this car is competitive, specifically to the 3-series, yes and no! In a straight line, it is slower than the comparable 3-series for the money. My IS 350 would probably lose to my wife's 330i in a standing start drag race. However, in terms of material quality and tactility, I would say the IS wins. There are more soft surfaces in the interior, and the 10.3-inch screen is beautiful. Also, I must say the V6 has a much better natural sound than the 330i's four-cylinder. However, I do like that the exhaust on that 330i actually has some volume to it (and no, I don't mean the digital piped-in noise... the sound outside the car is also quite nice), in comparison to the IS 350 which is mostly engine sound and little exhaust. The 330i is a lot of fun to drive, with instant response from that engine, the amazing-as-always ZF 8-speed auto, and pretty nice turn-in. However, the IS 350 is also fun while also possessing better ride quality and more comfortable seats. I'd say the BMW is more fun overall, but the IS is the one I'd want to drive 4 hours in - not to mention, to be seen in. The IS is gorgeous, and the BMW, while blessed with the awesome Portimao Blue paint ours has, is merely cool-looking if not imminently attractive. So, yes and no. I think the IS 350 will appeal to buyers of a certain taste more than the BMW 3-series. And I might add that the technology gap has pretty much been closed between these two cars. Enform Remote now has basically all the same features as My BMW, including checking oil levels remotely (yes!), and the IS now has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. To top it off, my IS 350 isn't fully-loaded and yet still features a heated steering wheel and heated AND ventilated seats, for an MSRP right about the same as the 330i M Sport we have (roughly $49,000). So, I'd say if you want actual performance, especially acceleration, go 330i, but if you want comfort and smoothness, go IS. However, both cars are fun.

Why in the world did this car come to market with 5 more HP and a slower 0-60MPH time than the 2016 Lexus IS350?!? Especially when the LS500 has a twin turbo V6 that I’m sure could have easily gone right in there 🤔

love it

A jewel on 4 wheels

Pity we don't get it in Europe. Time to move to a better part of the world... I know it is just a deep facelift of a previous platform, but it sings so nicely.

You mentioned a classic Alfa in the garage... I’ve been looking for the comparison between the new IS 350 F Sport and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sport or Ti Sport.... Thought that would be a decent comparo. Sure, the Giulia is a turbo 4-cyl, but power figures are reversed - 280hp, >300lb-ft. With driving dynamics being the goal of both of these vehicles, it lends to an entertaining shootout I would think. AND, they’re both beautifully designed cars! A departure from the mundane Germans.

Blue black and red was done on the ISF in the past.

Its competitive because of the reliability aspect. Still, I can't wait for the IS500 in a few years.

So is this one rear wheel drive or front wheel drive man? Hit the nail on the head.

Very nice car BUT 311 hp is not enough at least 350 hp minimum and 0 to 100 Kmh not more than 5 second In my own personal opinion

I wish there was a more technical explanation between the IS 350 with and without the dynamic handling package as far as the suspension component differences, etc. So far all I have gotten is either vague explanations of the driving experience or marketing mumbo jumbo. I need details! PS I have heard people clamoring for a V8 version of this and after looking at the engine bay, I have no idea how they'll be able to stuff one in there, let alone the business case for it as you mentioned

Same car sprinkle some cosmetic changes and viola now we will charge you 56k for a loaded IS350 fsport at the same time we will delete power tilt steering column and memory settings.

If it compares to others in terms of the exterior and interior, Lexus has tweaked the exterior quite nicely and modern, but somehow the interior is way behind such as 4 years ago, paused. Interesting indeed, compared to others.

I was told in the NewYork tri state area that there was no way I could find one of the 210 GS F sport Blacklines made for the USA. The simple fix was I drove to Virginia and got number 80. I dislike bonehead salesman . But always loved the GS

Well thought out video with a lot of good info. want to see how this compares to the new TLX A-Spec. That things seems to be a more sport oriented vehicle. Eventually that S-Type will be pretty awesome, unfortunately not sure if it will be rear wheel drive? Poosh b’shlama

Its interesting hearing the rich folks in the comments talking about buying money pits. I am middle class at best can't afford to throw away money so this is the perfect sports luxury car for me . This is the best looking car in this class bulletproof love it.

Hey MotoManTV in Canada we can buy a blue with red leather !

yes it does still compete

Few cars that aren’t from GM make me think about getting it. The Lexus IS does it for me and a Benz GT. That car must look so cool at night and it sounded pretty good. Do we know if both V6 sound the same?

I think it needs more power to be competitive

If only the power to weight ratio was closer to a 1:1 (375 HP) without having to flash the ECU.

Do I hear artificial engine sound through the speakers? To your question: in 10 years from now, the private Lexus owner will know it was the right choice. If you keep you new company cars for only 2 years, or lease, you would probably always want the latest tech and trends. Both you will hardly find in any Lexus. Lexus always has some "older guy" vibe going and bullet proof but also not the most up to date tech and performance. The over the top Lexus grills alone (which I really, really don´t like) do not fix that. I would choose the German competition, but for a long term investment the Lexus may be the smarter choice for some.

At least they put a limited slip, its still a decent buy

Won't drive as tight as your BMW 3 series but it has more space on the inside, drives smoother, and is a lot more reliable.

I’m 6’4 would I fit in this ??

The car is reliable and holds its value verry well...can be zippy with a engine tune.

13:55 Interesting. Is that an RS3 just $800 over to the right?

So the good it's a Lexus from Tahara, Aichi. The bad it's gutless compared to my 2008 IS350 with a six speed (mine is an auto) gearbox and 306HP. The reviewer hit it on the head when he says it has no torque. The combo of increased wheelbase, weight and new gearbox has left the car severely lacking in my eyes. Now in order to get the driving experience I get from my 2nd Gen IS350 you are looking at the RC-F. Which with it brings a 30k increase in MSRP. My 08 will stay with me until the wheels are square. Mine is 13 years old and not sick of it.

Can this come with lsd

YOGUCHISAAAANNNNN

Man, their online configurator has a lot of stupid limitations on interior and exterior colors, if you want AWD. Lame.

I think so, strictly because I prefer a Japanese car. I would consider this over the new TLX100%.

MotoManTV you got to pick your car before the Smoking tire just watched there review on that silver one u didn’t want lol 😂.

Infiniti got rid of the VQ35 a long time ago in the beloved G35/G37/Q50....seems like Lexus is sticking to their 3.5L from the same era. I see, I see.

Everyone that complained about it not having more power that's why they had the ISF. It didn't sell well either did the RCF OR GSF. Lexus could never bring people over them BMW, Mercedes, Audi and the like. Their engine is plenty capable for this car. I want to say 2006 was the first year it came out and ripped. It still does but not when the competition has it beat now by a lot

Glad I have an ISF

You could be a boxing announcer

I've always been a fan of the IS350. I had a 2006 model. But this is just too dated. It has the same engine as 2006 model. In a world where a bmw 340i can do 0-60 in 4.1 and has a full digital screen, it is hard to pay the same amount for a dash, 95% of the interior, and transmission from 2014 and an engine from 2006.

IS500 will come

This and the Jag XE best looking premium sport sedans ?

Why don't we get the power folding mirrors like all the other countries

Performance wise, why would I chose this over a BMW 330i\CT4V\A35 AMG\ M235i GC etc? All cost the same, but they are all faster, both in straight line and cornering, and they are all lighter, better fuel efficiency and frankly from the little experience i had driving the previous gen is350 a lot more engaging to drive.

I love the interior but I wish it had more tech

I have been wanting to get an older 2017- current IS for a while now, thy look great and will last a long time

Who else is thinking of just putting a isf motor in this?

I have a 2012 IS250 F Sport and I love it but there is NO WAY I'm spending 55K on this car.

The GS wasn't competitive in its class much like this car. It was left for far too long without any real updates and the competition simply passed it by. You but this car if you like a NA V6 and reliability. There is nothing class-leading about this car. And I wish people would get out of their heads that other cars somehow fall apart at 100K. That's just nonsense. Plus, as hard as it is to believe, even Lexus cars have problems otherwise there would be no need for dealership service departments.

I wouldnt even be mad if they retired the V6 and just boosted the 2.0 to 300hp. Im sure it would make more torque down low where the V6 lacks. This would improve the 0-60 and drivability. 300hp in a turbo is different than 300hp NA. Just look at the honda accord 2.0T. Faster than competitors V6s.

I don't think anyone hates the new nose Mr motoman. That's something a lot of people like this time round.

It's a shame it's this slow, would have been the perfect package with more torque

Nice review, but I would say I like the 6 speed in my GS more than the 8 speed. Less gears to drop down when it needs and decent fuel economy 22 combine as a sporty driver

I like it but the engine isn't competitive. It needs forced induction on the v6 or a bigger engine. The B58 in BMWs way out perform this v6

Holy k5 batman

I like the looks but the competition gives more power and much better fuel economy. Wth hell was lexus thinking. Toyota is turning into GM

I may be a weirdo, but I think Lexus knocked it out of the park with this refresh, and I'm one of the people who hated the predator grill when it was first unleased on the world back in 2014. I mean...I'm really hard pressed to find a detail that I'd do differently (F Sport that is) but if forced to choose I'd maybe say keep the previous tail lights instead of the thin bar that goes all the way across..but I kinda like that as well. In fact the only thing I don't like about the IS (don't really care about the mouse pad nonsense, that's only for messing with while parked) is the price and abysmal fuel economy compared to competitors with similar power. Oh, and premium fuel only seems outdated these days as well..Lexus engineers could easily make it where it has slightly reduced HP with regular fuel but no engine damage from knocking.

311 horsepower is so underwhelming when compared to the M3 and C Class AMG, we need more power Lexus. This is just a face lift.

I cant afford this for another 10 years. Then, im buying it. I have a 2IS.