IS 500 F Sport Performance: Lexus’ Ultimate Sleeper
Teruko Morishita
REVIEWED BY KELLY CAMPBELL
The Lexus IS has always been a fan favorite among car enthusiasts ever since its inception in 2000 with the IS 300. The Lexus IS has had different variations over the years, but it seems to always stick to its performance roots. When the original IS F came out, it easily won the hearts of car enthusiasts with its big engine and small stature. Who needs a 5.0-liter V-8 engine in a luxury sedan? No one. But that’s the point.
Teruko Morishita
Teruko Morishita
Despite not being a full reincarnation of the original IS F, the IS 500 F Sport Performance is nothing to sleep on. I have to admit, when I first got into the car and drove it around the block, I wasn’t impressed. It seemed a bit sluggish and the transmission was a little clunky at low speeds. However, opening it up and taking advantage of the V-8 engine quickly changes things.
Sport+ mode in manual mode brings out the best for the 500. If you’re used to turbocharged cars, the naturally aspirated engine definitely won't be as quick and punchy off the line. But the 472 horsepower is more than enough to get the car going. Revving it out to 5-6,000 RPMs was a sweet spot and gets the car purring nicely.
In terms of handling, the 500 holds its own. Even through small, tight streets, handling is nimble and it has no problem being thrown into corners thanks to the adaptive suspension. The drive train holds up well tucking and turning through corners, despite having that much power going to the rear wheels.
I’ve heard mixed reviews on the exterior styling of this car. Some say it’s too over the top while others think it’s not aggressive enough. I liked the styling of this car and felt that it was just enough to exude “sporty luxury sedan” but not too much that it clearly showed how much power was actually under the hood. Many times when I was asked what was so special about the car and explained how it had a 5.0-liter V-8, people were taken aback, as many don’t expect that out of something that looks like the 500. Personally, I was a big fan of the sleeper status. From a quick glance of the outside, you really can’t tell the difference between it and a regular IS 350 unless you notice the minor hood bump, wider fenders, or quad-tip exhaust.
Teruko Morishita
On the inside, the 500 offers a decent amount of room. My 6’7” dad sat in the backseat and, although his head was essentially in the roof, he had plenty of room back there. That being said, the front passenger seat was moved up pretty close to the dash, so there’s a give and take. It may not have the largest backseat, but it is a true 4-door so it has more room and practicality than the RC F.
Teruko Morishita
Technology-wise, the IS 500 has a lot to offer, but there is a lot going on in terms of infotainment screen and center stack. The trackpad is pretty sensitive, and the only other option is to use the actual touch screen. I ended up just using Apple CarPlay as that was the easiest option for me.
While the 500 checks a lot of boxes if you’re a fan of large engines and raw power, there are still some things that would have been nice to see on this performance sedan.
Performance Brakes - One thing that hinders this car from being a true IS F is the lack of performance brakes. With that much power, the upgraded brakes would have been a nice addition.
Transmission - While the manual mode on was responsive, I would be very interested in seeing how this car would do with a 6-speed manual. In addition, the automatic transmission is a bit clunky at low speeds. If you’re driving around LA in traffic, you might want to consider having a daily driver as commuting in the 500 was a tad uncomfortable.
Weight - I was surprised when I saw that this car actually weighs more than the RC F coupe. This might have to do in part with the 500 having a functional backseat, but I think shedding some pounds would make the 500 just that much more appealing.
Infotainment - There is just a lot going on with the Lexus infotainment system and the entire center stack has buttons galore. I might just be a sucker for simpler interiors but the option for Apple CarPlay helps a lot here.
Overall, I was a big fan of the IS 500. It’s a nice amount of power in a small package and stays true to sports car origins with its large naturally aspirated motor and rear wheel drive. Are there faster cars out there? Of course. But if you’re looking for something fun with some power, you can use when you want, the IS 500 is a great contender.
Be sure to also check out our video review of the IS500 HERE.
Teruko Morishita