As far as proper, rear-wheel drive sport sedans go, the Lexus IS 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 it’s the burlier, 311-horsepower F Sport with a 3.5L V6 engine under the hood that peaks 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 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 surrounds
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 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
Release date
The 2021 Lexus IS hits the market late fall 2020, on sale globally across 40 countries. Check out the rest of our sedan reviews here.
2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Photos:
