2023 Lexus IS 350 Sedan

　　

2023 Lexus IS 350 Review

byNick YekikianNews Editor

　　Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.

　　The Lexus IS 350 is an enticing proposition on paper. It's a compact sport sedan that looks the part and comes with Lexus' reputation for reliability, and a major refresh in 2021 brought it in closer contention with its rivals. The current IS is more athletic and better to drive than ever, yet its excellent ride quality and quiet cabin make it an excellent everyday companion too.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT Design 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 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

　　$200/mo  for IS 350 F SPORT Design

　　IS 350 F SPORT Design

　　F SPORT Design 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $43,160 MSRPF SPORT Design 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $45,160 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $44,410 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $46,410 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　For 2023, Lexus has made some light changes to the exterior. There is a new Special Appearance package that blends cement-gray paintwork with a black roof, a blacked-out hood and 19-inch black Enkei wheels. There is also a new F Sport Design trim level that serves as the new entry point to the IS 350 range. Essentially, it looks like a full-on F Sport model but doesn't have access to that trim level's performance-enhancing goodies like the limited-slip differential or the adaptive suspension.

　　That said, the IS is based on an 8-year-old platform, and there are some key areas where its age shows. While the IS 350 is more dynamic than IS models that came before, its 3.5-liter V6 lags behind the more powerful, turbocharged options found in the BMW M340i and the Genesis G70. Even so, a refined interior and a long list of standard equipment make the IS 350 a relevant contender in the compact luxury sedan space. Check out our Expert Rating for all the details on where the IS 350 hits, or misses, the mark.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the IS 350 drive? The Lexus IS 350 F Sport is a fun and nimble sport sedan that's let down by an underpowered engine. In zzdcar' testing, our rear-wheel-drive test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That's well off the pace of the class leaders, even the base four-cylinder variants. On the upside, this naturally aspirated V6 is silky smooth and builds power evenly from idle to redline. The transmission shifts gears a lot, but at least it's quick and smooth doing it.

　　The IS' steering, brakes and overall handling are much more impressive than the engine. This luxury sedan is athletic and nimble, with responsive steering and a suspension that's firm enough to keep the car planted without feeling so stiff that midcorner bumps unsettle it. Our test vehicle included the optional adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential, both must-have options if you want to maximize the sportiness of your IS 350.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the IS 350? The IS 350's optional adaptive suspension is well tuned. You feel the road, but it won't beat you up. Comfort is bolstered further by the seats. Adjustment is limited, but the basic shape is so good that you settle in quickly. The climate control system as well as the heated and ventilated seats all work well to keep you comfortable, though the temperature adjustment slider is more cumbersome than necessary. It's quiet too, though the F Sport's optional summer tires produce a bit more noise than we expect from a Lexus.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below