Skip advert
Advertisement

Refreshed Lexus IS saloon makes Paris debut

A subtle facelift and improved suspension should give the IS a new lease of life

Lexus has given its IS range of junior saloons a mid-life facelift, and has taken the opportunity to stiffen up the suspension, too.

The third-generation IS, which launched in 2013, has always stood out next to rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Audi, but new headlights, much larger air intakes in the front bumper and some tweaks to the gaping spindle grille (including raising its ‘waist’ to give an impression that the car has a lower centre of gravity, apparently) have been introduced to keep it looking sharp.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Lexus has also reshaped the bonnet and will offer new 17-inch and 18-inch wheel designs, while at the back there are new ‘triple-layered’ LED lights and rectangular, chromed exhaust tips.

Changes to the interior are subtle, though the infotainment screen has increased from seven inches in diameter to 10.25 inches and is now of a higher resolution.

Given the more aggressive exterior design, it’s disappointing that power outputs will remain the same across the range. This is particularly true of the hybrid IS300h (which accounts for nine out of ten IS sales in Europe), which despite combining a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre in-line four with an electric motor, still offers just 179bhp and 163lb ft. The IS200t, meanwhile, is the more exciting package and develops 241bhp and 258lb ft from its turbocharged 2-litre engine.

evo has always considered the suspension setup to be a strong-point of the IS range, and now both models will benefit from new forged-aluminium lower-arm assemblies said to be 49 per cent stiffer than the steel hardware currently in use. Spring rates have also been revised for the front axle and there are upgraded dampers that have been recalibrated.

Whether these changes are primarily to improve B-road handling or motorway cruising isn’t clear, but rear traction, stability, ride quality and body control are all said to be better than before.

Both cars are real-wheel-drive, although the torque-rich turbocharged model benefits from an eight-speed automatic gearbox that makes it more intuitive and enjoyable to drive than the IS300h, which is hindered by its e-CVT. Lexus hasn’t yet said whether the upgraded IS200t in F Sport trim will benefit from the Torsen limited-slip differential of the RC200t F Sport (read our review here), but such an addition to the drivetrain would be no bad thing.

Prices for the new IS range have yet to be announced, but are unlikely to differ much from those for the current IS200t or IS300h, which both start at £28,995.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Save £30k on a new Range Rover and buy a Renault 5 with the savings!
Range Rover
News

Save £30k on a new Range Rover and buy a Renault 5 with the savings!

Discounts on new Range Rovers are so big you could buy a new Renault 5 with the money you save…
15 Jul 2025
Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road
Porsche 963 RSP review front
Reviews

Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road

That the 963 RSP even exists is absurd. Driving it felt like a fever dream
13 Jul 2025
£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025