As far as proper, rear-wheel drive sport sedans go, the Lexus IS compact 4-door has been a front-runner for two decades now. The car gets a significant update for 2021 with enhanced performance and handling in the spotlight. But the burlier, 311-horsepower F Sport with a 3.5L V6 engine under the hood piques our interest. Here’s what makes this sportier trim a standout from the regular IS lineup:
Exterior styling
1. Distinct front bumper with functional aerodynamic enhancements
2. Distinct rear bumper, grille surround, rear lip spoiler, and rocker molding
3. 19-inch F Sport wheels with larger rear tires measuring 265/35R19 (oh, and F Sport wheel centre caps)
4. Upgraded air intake with a sound generator and an F SPORT exhaust and diffuser
5. Rear and sides get the F Sport badging treatment
6. The Dynamic Handling Package (DHP) adds a carbon-fiber rear spoiler and side-view mirror caps, centre console knee pad with contrast stitching, and a Lexus Card Key
Interior
7. Stainless-steel scuff plates on the door sills
8. New Circuit Red option for the seats
9. Front seats get the race-inspired F Sport look
10. F Sport finds heated and ventilated front seats as standard
11. Door accents with black geometric film window switch surround
Performance & handling
12. Driver finds a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, perforated leather-wrapped shifter, and F Sport instrumentation meter
13. Down below: F Sport accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and footrest
14. V6 engine sounds tone down any unpleasant sounds while ramping up performance notes
15. Handling upgrade includes a Dynamic Handling Package (DHP) that includes Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
16. Enhancing performance via optimized damping force of the AVS suspension setup
17. The DHP upgrade includes sweet, 19-inch matte-black BBS rims shaving 4-pounds off the stock F Sport 19-inch wheels
18. DHP also adds a limited slip differential for improved cornering
19. Sport S+ mode addition with DHP option
20. The IS 350 will be the only F Sport offering in 2021
