Lexus IS History
Lexus's compact rear-drive sport sedan — the BMW 3 Series rival, home of the IS F performance variant and the longest-running nameplate in its class.
Photo: “File:LEXUS IS (XE10) China (5).jpg” by Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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The IS arrived in North America for the 2001 model year (badged IS 300, with a 3.0L inline-six) as Lexus's first serious rival to the BMW 3 Series. It brought rear-wheel drive and a more driver-focused character than the front-drive ES, and it was based on the Toyota Altezza, which had been sold in Japan since 1998.
The second generation IS (XE20, 2006–2013) replaced the inline-six with V6 options and added an IS 250 variant alongside the IS 350; a convertible IS C was offered from 2009 to 2015. The IS F performance sedan debuted for 2008 with a 5.0L V8 and 416 hp, becoming the founding model of Lexus's F performance division before being discontinued after 2014.
The current third-generation IS (XE30), on sale since 2014 and significantly refreshed for 2021, remains in production and holds the distinction of being one of the longest-running luxury sport sedans on sale in the US without a complete redesign.
Generations
First generation (XE10) · XE10 — IS 300
Photo: “File:LEXUS IS (XE10) China (5).jpg” by Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Rear-drive inline-six sport sedan; North American IS 300 badge; BMW 3 Series target.
Second generation (XE20) · XE20 — IS 250/350
Photo: “File:LEXUS IS 300 (XE20) China.jpg” by Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
V6 powertrains, IS 250 and IS 350 grades; IS C convertible added 2009; IS F V8 performance model 2008–2014.
Third generation (XE30) · XE30 — IS 300/350/500
Photo: “File:LEXUS IS 300 (XE30) China.jpg” by Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Spindle-grille styling; facelifted for 2021; IS 500 F Sport Performance V8 added in 2022.
2023 Photo: “File:Lexus IS 300h AVE30 2023.jpg” by Ethan Llamas / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Convertible
Notable special editions & performance variants
IS F
The founding Lexus F performance model — a 416 hp, 5.0L V8 sport sedan that launched the F sub-brand at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.
IS C
Retractable hardtop convertible variant of the second-generation IS; discontinued after 2015.
IS 500 F Sport Performance
V8-powered IS (naturally aspirated 5.0L, 472 hp) reviving high-output IS performance for the third generation.
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