2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport: Review and Performance

In a market segment where many small cars have been phased out, the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport and 2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport stand alone as the sole commercially available V8-powered compact sedan in America. With a starting MSRP of $58,270, the 2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance sports a 472-horsepower V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. For $62,770, you can upgrade to the IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium, which has a surround-view camera system and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, among other amenities.
The Mercedes-AMG C63 no longer has a V8, yet less expensive V8 sedans like the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger have a larger engine and no luxury insignia. Instead, the four-cylinder Mercedes-AMG C43 and the six-cylinder BMW M340i are the rivals on the pricing front for the 472-horsepower IS 500.

Though more spacious and equipped with the newest technologies, the German cars lack the V8 sound system of the IS 500. But the Lexus is more than simply its engine; its F Sport accessories, well-crafted interior, and comfortable ride combine to give it a sporty appearance.

New wheel designs for the IS350 F Sport and IS500 F Sport versions are expected in 2023; the latter will have 19-inch Enkei rollers. There will only be 150 of the IS500 F Sport Performance Premium model with the special appearance package.

This includes the exterior color of Molten Pearl, black faux leather interior upholstery, and exclusive BBS forged alloy wheels. A new look package is also included for the IS350 F Sport.

However, Lexus has opted to paint the exterior in Incognito and add an Obsidian-colored hood in place of the original Molten Pearl color. Only 480 of these will be available for purchase.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the 2023 Lexus IS F Sport, the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport, and IS F performance.

Overview

The 2023 IS 500 boasts superior style and performance when paired with the Lexus spindle grille compared to its competitors. But it also looks better than most other automobiles in the segment of compact sports sedans.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t perform as well as vehicles like the Genesis G70, Audi A4, and BMW 3-series. Even the top-of-the-line IS500 has the greatest suspension and a V-8 engine that can go over 500 miles. It falls short of being as satisfying and precise to handle as a sports sedan should.
The middle-of-the-road IS350’s V-6 engine is refined and not particularly fast, while the entry-level IS300’s turbo-four engine feels underpowered. The IS’s smooth and compliant ride enables it to match Lexus’s other luxury vehicles, which are designed for comfort.

In the same way, the cabin has beautiful construction, high-quality materials, and lots of features. For those who desire a car that looks athletic but runs smoothly, the IS might be the sedan for them.
The IS 500 is an exceptional display of audacity for the otherwise traditional Lexus brand. The V8 luxury sport sedan is a bold move, as most other luxury sedans are transitioning away from big eight- and six-cylinder engines.

Compared to the preceding IS 300 and IS 350, the V8 dramatically alters the nature of the sedan. Nonetheless, it still lags behind some competitors in the class.

For any driver, the IS 500’s 4.9-second time to 60 mph is more than sufficient. But the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 outperforms it by about a full second.
The IS 500, equipped with a sport-tuned adaptive suspension system, offers agility but lacks the compelling qualities of its European counterparts.

However, most drivers find it to corner fairly well, and as a result, it offers a more comfortable ride, particularly when compared to the BMW M240i. Because of these factors, the IS 500 is not a true-performance sedan but rather a reliable grand tourer.

2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport: Performance

The cabin’s quiet and smooth ride ensures a comfortable and enjoyable journey on uneven roads.

The IS offers a luxurious feel, although it’s not as spacious or luxurious as Lexus’s flagship LS car. The vehicle comes standard with push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. It also has power front seats, excluding optional leather upholstery and a power sunroof.

Lexus made minor adjustments to the cupholder location in the IS interior for the 2021 model year. The car now features circular air vents near the door panels and a relocated infotainment system closer to the dashboard’s edge.

2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport: Infotainment and Connectivity

Standard equipment includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a console-mounted touchpad; an optional larger 10.3-inch display with in-dash navigation is also available. Both systems are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Mark Levinson’s premium stereo system, featuring 17 speakers and 1800 watts, is available as an option, similar to the previous generation of IS.

IS 500 F Sports Performance

The basic trim consists of:

Performance tires mounted on 19-inch wheels
Tips for quad exhaust
Sports suspension that adapts and LED headlights
heated and self-dimming exterior mirrors
Sunshade
Keyless ignition and access
Upholstery made of synthetic leather
Two-zone climate regulation
Front sports seats with ventilation and heating
Power-adjustable and heated steering wheel
eight-inch touch screen
Pioneer 10-speaker music system
Connectivity of smartphones to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
8-inch digital display on the instrument panel
Parking sensors with automated brakes on the front and rear

These cutting-edge driving aids are also included in the base trim:

Automatic emergency braking: this feature alerts you to impending frontal impacts and engages the brakes if you don’t react quickly enough.
Lane departure mitigation (which can automatically steer to maintain lane position and alert you of a lane departure when a turn signal is not utilized)
Lane-keeping system (which slightly adjusts the steering to help maintain the car’s center of gravity within its lane)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains the distance between the IS 500 and the car in front of it that the driver chooses)
A blind-spot warning with a rear cross-traffic warning alerts you when a car crosses your blind area when you’re changing lanes or reversing.

2022 Lexus IS500

It’s likely the last time you’ll see a 2022 Lexus IS 500 because vehicles like these are vanishing. Going forward, EVs and hybrids are the preferred vehicles. That’s the way things are. But the 2022 Lexus IS 500 is something special for those of us who still want a classic sedan with massive V8 thrills. It’s idealistically analog. And you ought to go have a drive-by yourself.
The 2022 Lexus IS 500 Performance, however, briefly revives the fantasy with the brand’s renowned 5.0-liter V8 engine. For the cheap asking price of $57,570, this performance sedan offers 472 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and an incredibly romantic soundtrack.

FAQs

What Is the Lexus IS500 F Sport’s Maximum Speed in 2023?

A 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8 engine producing 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque powers the IS 500 F Sport. With a top speed of 149 mph, the sport sedan is claimed by Lexus to be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. After a week of driving, I won’t contest that time.

Which Lexus V8 Is the Fastest?

A new age of F SPORT is inaugurated by the IS 500 F SPORT Performance, our most potent IS to date. With 472 horsepower, its 5.0-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine is powerful. * And with a lightning-fast 0–60 time of 4.4 seconds,* this sport sedan will really turn up the adrenaline.

Which 400-Horsepower Lexus Is It?

There are two electric motors in the RZ Sport Concept: one up front and one down rear. Together, they generate 402 horsepower, or 300 kW, which is a significant increase over the RZ 450e’s base output. Lexus has not yet released the torque value. The Lexus RZ Sport Concept is an eye-catching car with a classic Japanese design.

Wrapping Up

The IS 500 is not a light car, weighing close to 4,000 pounds, even with all that on-paper power. As a result, its 2023 0-60 MPH time of 4.4 seconds isn’t all that amazing. Despite having over 100 fewer horsepower on paper, the BMW M340i is a faster car because of its Bavarian turbocharged inline-six engine, which delivers ballistic thrust at any point in the rpm range.

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Published On November 3, 2023

By Chiagoziem Obiageliaku