2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

　　

2021 Lexus IS 300 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Over the past few years, the Lexus IS 300 has had the potential to be an intriguing pick for a small luxury sedan. It cost less than its German rivals yet offered more features and similar levels of comfort and quality. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, the IS 300 also suffered from a lack of driving refinement, a distracting-to-use technology interface and a small cabin.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus IS 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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 $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$185/mo  for IS 300 Base

　　IS 300 Base

　　4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,050 MSRP4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $41,050 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Hoping for a better result, Lexus is hitting a soft reset with the 2021 Lexus IS 300. The exterior is only lightly refreshed, but there are substantial changes underneath and inside that seek to solve the IS 300's most pressing problems. Additional reinforcements and welds increase body rigidity, which Lexus says improves handling and steering response among other benefits. Some suspension components are lighter than before, which reduces unsprung mass and should translate to a more comfortable ride.

　　Inside, Lexus has replaced the distracting-to-use mouse-like controller with a touchpad controller. This new system eliminates the on-screen cursor that made the prior Lexus system difficult to use. Touchscreen functionality and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also newly available too. The rest of the interior is pretty much unchanged.

　　Is the 2021 IS 300 better than before? Most certainly. We don't expect the IS 300 will zoom up to the top of our small luxury sedan rankings, but it could be worth a look if value is a priority.

　　

Which IS 300 does zzdcar recommend?

We recommend sticking with the base IS 300 RWD unless you need the extra traction of all-wheel drive. The turbocharged four-cylinder is more economical than the V6 and is nearly as powerful. None of the options is prohibitively expensive, but if you only have a little wiggle room in your budget, the Comfort package is a must-have. The Mark Levinson audio system is a close second.

　　

2021 Lexus IS 300 models

The 2021 Lexus IS 300 is a small luxury sedan available in two trim levels: IS 300 RWD and IS 300 AWD. The two are identically equipped, with one difference that's somewhat self-explanatory: The former is rear-wheel-drive and the latter is all-wheel-drive. Strangely, each uses a unique powertrain. The RWD model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (241 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The IS 300 AWD uses a 3.5-liter V6 (260 hp, 236 lb-ft) and a six-speed automatic.

　　IS 300

　　The IS 300 comes standard with:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Auto-dimming mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Dual-zone automatic transmission Heated front seats (AWD only) Simulated leather upholstery 8-inch touchscreen 10-speaker audio system Satellite radio Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Two USB ports Wi-Fi hotspotThe IS 300 is also equipped with a set of advanced safety features, many of which are optional on rivals. These include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Lexus and the car in front) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)Packages and stand-alone options for the IS 300 include:

　　Comfort package Sunroof Heated steering wheel Heated and ventilated front seats Navigation package 10.3-inch touchscreen Navigation system Mark Levinson Premium Audio package Navigation package 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system Aluminum control knobs Upgraded headlights Sunroof Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the IS 300 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

　　

2021 IS 300 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$39,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles