• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alex on Autos

Real. Detailed. Car Reviews.

  • Reviews
    • Family Cars
    • 4-Door
    • 2-Door
    • Trucks & SUVs
    • Crossovers and SUVs
    • Hatch
    • Green Vehicles
    • Child Seat Reviews
  • New Car News
  • Other Cool Stuff
    • Upcoming Reviews
    • Alex’s Picks
    • News
  • Scores
    • Performance Scores
    • Cabin Noise Scores
    • Interior Scores
  • Auto Buyer’s Guide
  • Merch

2021 Lexus IS 350 Review: Lightly Tweaked Under the Skin

May 13, 2021 by Alex L. Dykes

Share on Social Networks

 

If you’re looking at the 2021 Lexus IS 350 and immediately assume it’s a new generation compact sedan, think again. This is a heavily refreshed iteration of the outgoing car because it’s the same under the skin. The front fascia has been changed with the addition of new LED headlights that now integrate the swoosh into the cluster and a new grille. In the back, you now get full-width LED taillights connected by a single strip. The IS 350, which is only available in F Sport trim, gets a unique blacked-out version of Lexus’ corporate spindle grille and its own rear bumper accented by dual exhaust tips.

What’s the same with the 2021 Lexus IS 350?

The 2021 Lexus IS 350’s interior reveals the car’s older underpinnings because the design hasn’t changed much. Much of the layout remains the same including the steering wheel and horizontal dash orientation. Its center stack is virtually unchanged featuring the same haptic feedback controls and physical knobs. The main display is now a touchscreen and gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard equipment. The touchpad controls behind the gear shifter remain should you prefer to use that instead.  F Sport models get sport seats with more bolstering and a digital gauge cluster inspired by the one found in the LFA supercar. The steering wheel, however, appears to be the same one found in the outgoing car.

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 is one of the last naturally aspirated entries in the compact luxury segment. It uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. If you get the RWD model, the engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. AWD variants, however, get an older six-speed unit. The IS 300 RWD uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 241 hp and 259 lb-ft while the IS 300 AWD has a detuned 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft. Like the IS 350, the IS 300 RWD gets an eight-speed automatic, and the IS 300 AWD makes do with a six-speed.

How Does the 2021 Lexus IS 350 Drive?

If you’re looking for the sportiest model and can’t wait for the upcoming IS 500, the IS 350 F Sport will be it. That variant gets 19-inch allows wheels shod in summer tires (RWD only; AWD models get all-season tires) and F Sport suspension turning. The available F Sport Dynamic Handling package adds adaptive variable suspension, a Custom and Sport S+ drive mode, lightweight 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and a Torsen limited-slip differential (RWD only).

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport has one of the most connected driving experiences in its class. Although it’s not as quick as its turbocharged rivals, the naturally aspirated V6 provides linear power delivery and a sweet soundtrack to go with the engaging drive. The nicely balanced suspension offers agile handling in its sportiest setting yet knows how to chill down in comfort-oriented ones. As a result, the IS 350 F Sport is a safe choice for an all-around luxury sedan and remains one of the last ones that has remained squarely within the compact segment alongside the Genesis G70 and Alfa Romeo Giulia.

0 to 60: 5.6 seconds
60 to 0: 109 feet
Handling: B
Ride: B
Cabin Noise: B+
Fuel Economy: B-

 


Share on Social Networks

Filed Under: 4-Door, Car Type, Latest, Lexus Tagged With: compact cars, compact sedans, Lexus, lexus IS, Lexus IS 350, luxury cars, luxury sedans, premium sedans, sedans, sports sedans

Primary Sidebar

Featured Article

Volvo EXC-90 patent

Next-Gen Volvo XC-90 Variant Leaked

Next-Gen Volvo XC-90 Variant Leaked: Today, Volvo has fallen victim to a … [Read More...] about Next-Gen Volvo XC-90 Variant Leaked

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Most Popular

  • → Cabin Noise Scores
  • → Alex’s Top Car Picks
  • → CUV/SUV
  • → Green Vehicles
  • → Vehicle Reviews
  • → Request a Review

Browse Reviews by Brand or Car Type

More to See

About Alex On Autos

August 21, 2015 By Alex L. Dykes

2023 GMC Canyon

2023 GMC Canyon Debuts

August 11, 2022 By Brian Roskelly

2023 Kia EV9 Concept

Kia EV9 Production Begins Next Month

August 10, 2022 By Brian Roskelly

2023 Land Rover Discovery

The Fate of the Land Rover Discovery

August 8, 2022 By Brian Roskelly

2022 Nissan Maxima, orange

Nissan Maxima Going Electric?

August 5, 2022 By Brian Roskelly

Brembo Sensify

Brembo Re-Inventing the Way Your Next Car Will Stop | Brembo Sensify

August 3, 2022 By Alex L. Dykes

Auto Buyer’s Guide

Find the best vehicle for you

E-mail Newsletter

Welcome Video

https://youtu.be/sjv1f8dFPYA

Browse Reviews By Brand or Car Type

Request A Review

Click here to send us a review suggestion. Please note that due to the volume of submissions it’s not possible for us to reply to questions or other feedback.

Request a Review

Merch

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

Alex On Autos

Alex On Autos is your source for the most detailed auto reviews online. Period.
Join via YouTube Today: https://bit.ly/2WdCEwW
Follow The Mountain Garden: http://goo.gl/icFWcd

Recent

  • Next-Gen Volvo XC-90 Variant Leaked
  • 2023 GMC Canyon Debuts
  • Kia EV9 Production Begins Next Month
  • The Fate of the Land Rover Discovery
  • 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Review

Search

Copyright © 2022 Alex On Autos and Alex L. Dykes · All rights reserved.
Alex On Autos is a wholly owned subsidiary of DykLaine, LLC.Log in