New 2022 Lexus IS Price, Review, Redesign – Lexus introduced the IS in 2001 to draw buyers away from German luxury brands. The IS is now in its third generation and faces stiff competition from the all-new BMW 3 Series and the recently refreshed Audi A4/Mercedes C-Class. There are also new competitors such as the Mercedes C-Class and the Mercedes C-Class. Since the third generation, the 2022 Lexus IS has been lagging behind its rivals in interior technology and powertrain. Can its unique styling and legendary reliability make it competitive with newer competitors? To find out, we tested the top-trim 2022 IS 350 F Sport model.
2022 Lexus IS Redesign
Exterior Design
The 2022 Lexus IS has made a lot of progress since its original clear taillight clusters inspired many aftermarket tuners. These new models are a great contrast to their German counterparts. The large spindle grille at the front is complemented by L-shaped daytime running lamps and LED headlights on each side. New for 2022 are tri-beam LEDs in a new design.
All trims have a power sunroof and dual chrome tailpipes. F Sport derivatives have aggressive front and back bumpers, more oversized black-flanked air intakes, and ‘F’ badges. Model-specific 18-inch split five-spoke alloy wheels are available. The LFA inspires these. These wheels contrast the RWD IS 300’s 17-inch components and the subtler 18-inch IS 350 models. The limited-edition IS 300 F Sport Black Line will receive a black vapor chrome finish for its 18-inch alloys and black side mirrors.
Interior Design
The 2022 Lexus IS, like all Lexus interiors that we love and know, oozes luxury. All surfaces are covered in soft-touch materials, including faux and genuine leather combinations, soft-touch polys, and metal trim elements. The IS’ interior is comfortable and has a strong foundation. However, there are some flaws. The IS lacks the rear seating space offered by German competitors, and the trunk space is far below average in a competitive segment. The seats are comfortable, and the dash is well-designed. However, Lexus’s irritating infotainment system puts a damper on otherwise highly sophisticated proceedings.
We love Lexus seats, and they are our favorite luxury segment seats. A few automakers offer sporty models with supportive side bolstering without making them uncomfortable for extended trips or reducing functions such as heating and ventilation. F Sport models get more bolstered IS seats, and we found them to be a perfect combination of aggressive and comfortable. The front-seat passengers will have ample legroom, but our knees kept bumping into large transmission tunnels. The rear seat legroom is acceptable at 32.2 inches. Lexus has also carved the seatbacks to ensure that rear occupants don’t rub against the front chairs.
2022 Lexus IS Engine
The Lexus IS 2022 lineup includes three engines, paired with a dizzying array transmission, drivetrain, trim, and drivetrain options. Rear-wheel-drive IS models transmit power through an eight-speed automatic, while all-wheel-drive models have a six-speed box. The IS 300 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 241 horsepower and 258 pounds of torque. In addition, the IS 300 has an AWD option. This replaces the four-pot with a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 260 horsepower and 236 lb/ft of torque. You can choose to have the F Sport package or not.
The IS 350 is the most powerful model in this range. It uses the same 3.5-liter V6 engine but is tuned to produce 311 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. RWD models receive an eight-speed auto, while AWD models have six gears. The IS 350 F Sport can go from 0 to 60 in just 5.6 seconds. This is fast in a vacuum but slow compared to other competitors. Although the eight-speed automatic is closed during everyday driving, it can feel sluggish when changing gears. The V6’s powerful sound was a delight, although it can be almost supercharged at high RPMs. However, it must be revved up before it feels fast. This is the opposite of turbocharged counterparts.
2022 Lexus IS Release Date And Price
The RWD 2022 Lexus IS 300 is the most affordable Lexus IS. It has a base MSRP price of $38,560. This includes license, tax, registration, and handling fees of $1,025. The IS 300 comes with an all-wheel drive for an additional $2,450. The IS 300 F Sport, which starts at $41,755, is the first vehicle to cross the $40k mark. The AWD model costs $43,805. The IS 350 is priced at $42,180 RWD and $44,345 AWD. The IS 350 F Sport is the most expensive model. It starts at $42,180 in RWD format, but with AWD, it rises to $46,710.