2026 Lexus IS F Sport

• Sharper drive: New steering and suspension hardware make the IS more responsive and more comfortable.

• Bolder look: The front fascia, F SPORT trim, and Neutrino Gray paint give the IS a more planted, aggressive presence.

• Smarter tech: Lexus Safety System + and Advanced Drive expand driver assistance and keep the sedan current.

A Nameplate That Defined Lexus Dynamics

When Lexus launched the IS back in 1999, it set out to prove the brand could do compact sports sedans with the same precision and enthusiasm as the established European names. Twenty-five years later, with more than 1.3 million units sold in 40 countries, the IS has become the model most associated with the brand’s pursuit of a “driving signature.”

The new IS, shown to the world in September 2025 and headed for showrooms in early 2026, doesn’t reinvent that story. Instead, it focuses on polishing the familiar strengths: balance, precision, and a design that wears its sportiness up front. The lineup once again revolves around two versions—the IS 300h hybrid and the IS 350 petrol—both sitting on the rear-drive platform that has always been the car’s core

Steering and Suspension Work

The biggest changes for 2026 are beneath the skin. Lexus engineers switched the car to a rack-parallel electric power steering system with a variable gear ratio. That means less input required through tight corners or intersections, but more linear feel when carving through high-speed bends. The setup is designed to bring more immediacy to the wheel without over-complication.

The Adaptive Variable Suspension also received attention. By moving to a new linear solenoid actuator, its response time is roughly four times quicker than before. The result: flatter body control, less road harshness, and a smoother ride over uneven surfaces

Transmission choices remain familiar—an eight-speed automatic, a six-speed automatic, or a CVT depending on the version—but the overall tuning aims to connect driver input more directly to the car’s movements.

Exterior with Stronger Presence

The styling updates are subtle but effective. The front end has been reworked to emphasize a lower stance and broader shoulders, with the spindle grille framed by sharper lines and brake ducts worked in. The effect is a sedan that looks wider and more grounded.

The F SPORT trim turns that volume up further. It adds a new rear spoiler engineered for actual aerodynamic benefit, plus lightweight 19-inch wheels in gloss black metallic. Red calipers with Lexus logos can be specified for those who like their details loud.

A new paint finish, Neutrino Gray, joins the palette of eight exterior colors. It’s a metallic tone designed to change subtly under light, an understated but welcome option for buyers who want something different

Cabin with More Craft and More Tech

Inside, the Lexus IS S Sport gets a rethink that mixes technology with materials. A 12.3-inch touchscreen now sits higher and closer to the driver’s line of sight, paired with a 12.3-inch digital cluster that allows for clearer, customizable graphics.

One of the more striking touches is the Forged Bamboo trim, applied to the upper console and start button bezel. Lexus says the material comes from an ongoing sustainability project, and it adds a textured, shaded finish that fits with the car’s sporty brief while also nodding toward future eco-friendly interiors.

Color options expand with Prominence, an F SPORT-only hue that takes inspiration from solar flares. It’s bold, almost fiery, and gives the cockpit a very different energy. Buyers will also notice ambient lighting with 14 preset themes and up to 50 custom shades, plus new audio systems ranging from a standard 10-speaker layout to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson upgrade.

Practical updates include USB-C ports front and rear, a redesigned Qi wireless charging pad, and better thought-out storage for devices.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Lexus Safety System + grows into something more comprehensive for 2026. Highlights include:

• Proactive Driving Assist, which gently helps with deceleration around pedestrians, cyclists, or parked cars.

• Enhanced Pre-Collision System, now tuned to detect cyclists at night and motorcycles during the day, with expanded intersection coverage.

• Adaptive Cruise Control with broader radar and camera coverage and new voice-control adjustments.

• Road Sign Assist that now includes red light alerts alongside the usual speed-limit reminders.

• Lane Change Assist, which lends a hand during highway lane changes once the indicator is engaged.

Over-the-air updates keep the system current without dealership visits, and Plus Support provides extra monitoring, including suppression of sudden pedal misapplications with audible warnings

Advanced Drive in Traffic

On higher-grade models, Lexus fits Advanced Drive (Traffic Jam Support), part of the company’s Teammate suite. It’s designed for use on select highways at speeds up to 40 km/h, essentially assisting with steering, braking, and acceleration in heavy congestion. It’s not autonomy, but it’s enough to make stop-and-go traffic less punishing.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions & Body

• Overall Length: 4,720 mm (+10 mm vs. previous model)
  
• Overall Width: 1,840 mm
  

Overall Height:

• IS 350 AWD: 1,440 mm
• IS 350 FR / IS 300h: 1,435 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,800 mm
• Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
• Wheels & Tires: 18–19 inch (designs vary by trim; F SPORT includes lightweight aluminum options)

Powertrain & Drivetrain

• Variants: IS 300h (hybrid), IS 350 (petrol)
  
• Drive Systems: FR (rear-wheel drive) / AWD (select grades)
  

Transmissions:

• 8-speed automatic (8AT)
• 6-speed automatic (6AT)
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Chassis & Performance

• Steering: Rack-parallel Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Variable Gear Ratio
  
• Suspension: Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with linear solenoid actuator
  
• Brakes (F SPORT option): Red calipers with Lexus logo
  

Exterior

• Design Highlights: Revised front fascia with low-set spindle grille, integrated brake ducts, wide stance emphasis
  
• Spoiler (F SPORT): Aerodynamic rear spoiler improving stability
  

Wheel Options:

• 18-inch dark premium metallic finish (standard)
• 19-inch lightweight aluminum wheels (F SPORT & Version L)
• Color Palette: 8 total, including new Neutrino Gray
  

Interior

Displays:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen center display
• 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster
• Trim & Finish: Newly developed “Forged Bamboo” on console and start switch bezel
  
• Color Options: New Prominence (exclusive to F SPORT)
  
• Ambient Illumination: 14 preset themes + 50 customizable colors
  

Audio Systems:

• Lexus Premium 10-speaker system (standard)
• Mark Levinson 17-speaker system (optional)

Connectivity & Convenience:

• Dual USB-C ports (front and rear)
• Qi wireless charging pad (Gen5, Qi standard)
• Safety & Driver Assistance
  

Lexus Safety System + (expanded):

• Proactive Driving Assist (PDA)
• Enhanced Pre-Collision System (PCS) with cyclist/night and motorcycle/day detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with extended radar/camera coverage
• Road Sign Assist (RSA) with red light alert
• Lane Change Assist (LCA) for supported highways
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
• Driver Support: Plus Support system suppressing sudden acceleration inputs
  
• Updates: Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for safety and multimedia
  
• Advanced Drive (Lexus Teammate): Traffic Jam Support (0–40 km/h on highways)

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