The compact sports sedan benefits from a subtly redesigned exterior, an overhauled interior, and improved handling
While many expected Lexus to unveil a brand-new generation of the IS, the company instead pulled the wraps off another facelift of the current model, set to arrive in early 2026. The compact sedan now wears a sharper nose, gains a refreshed cabin, and benefits from updates to both handling and safety.
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The third generation of the the IS was originally introduced back in 2013, followed by a light facelift in 2017 and a more substantial refresh in 2020. Rather than retiring the model altogether, Lexus has opted for a third round of revisions, extending its lifespan even further.
This decision appears linked to the brand’s shifting electrification strategy, which moved away from an all-electric successor that had reportedly been under development.
What’s New on the Outside?
The biggest visual change lies up front, where the spindle grille has been reworked. Its upper section is slightly smaller, now flowing into the carry-over LED headlights, while the Lexus badge has been repositioned just below the hood shut line. The bumper intakes also wear new contours, giving the front end a more purposeful stance.
The rest of the bodywork appears to be largely carried over. Changes include a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels, a larger rear spoiler, and Lexus lettering on the tailgate. It is worth noting that the pictured example is the F Sport trim, so we don’t know the effect of the facelift on the base version. Customers can choose from eight paint finishes, including Neutrino Gray, while red brake calipers are available as an option.
Inside The Cabin
The interior has seen a more noticeable overhaul. A redesigned dashboard, center console, and door panels set the tone, with a digital cockpit made up of dual 12.3-inch displays. The infotainment screen sits lower on the dash and is now touch-sensitive, eliminating the unloved touchpad of earlier versions.
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The facelifted model also features new toggle-switches for the climate controls, while retaining the volume knob on the center tunnel and clicky buttons on the steering wheel. Furthermore, the CD player and the analogue clock are gone. Finally, the IS gains interior accents from natural bamboo fibers (Forged Bamboo in Lexus-speak) and a new Prominence interior color.
Equipment has been upgraded with the Lexus Safety System + suite, featuring new and improved ADAS that allow hands-off driving on the highway.
Powertrain Choices
Lexus engineers have also tweaked the underpinnings of the IS. They fitted a new rack-parallel Electric Power Steering (EPS) system with a variable ratio promising to improve the responsiveness, while the suspension has a linear solenoid-type AVS which is said to offer smooth damping force control and quick response.
At launch, powertrain options will be limited to the IS 300h and the IS 350. Lexus has yet to share detailed specifications but we don’t expect significant changes over the existing setups. The current IS 300h features a hybrid 2.5-liter engine with 217 hp (162 kW / 220 PS), while the more potent IS 350 is fitted with a non-electrified 3.5-liter V6 generating 314 hp (214 kW / 318 PS).
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The IS 500 with the naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 is most likely gone forever, with the Japanese-spec Climax Edition and the US-spec Ultimate Edition serving as a swan songs.
Lexus confirmed that the updated IS will be offered in “various markets,” though it stopped short of naming them. Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2026. Since its debut in 1999, the IS has found around 1.3 million buyers across 40 countries and regions, securing its place as a cornerstone of the brand’s lineup.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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