The market for V8-powered cars continues to shrink as 2026 draws closer. The latest casualty? A luxury-badged sports sedan with a thumping great 5.0L V8 under the hood. Come 2026, the Lexus IS 500 is off the menu. 

The Lexus IS 500 dies before 2026, shrinking the pool of V8 cars that much more

Much to the delight of American fans, the Lexus IS sedan will live on with a refresh for 2026. The front fascia and interior get the most dramatic redesign. But the IS lineup also lost something for the new year, namely the IS 500 and its 472-horsepower naturally aspirated 5.0L V8.

Instead, the Lexus IS lives on with just one V6 option and two trims, the IS 350 and IS 350 F SPORT Design. But alas, no eight-cylinder mill in the bunch.  

Fortunately, the departure is far from the end of V8-powered performance cars in the American market. Ford CEO Jim Farley insists that the Ford Mustang will continue to pack a V8 for many years to come.

And if the 500-horsepower Ford Mustang Dark Horse’s 5.0L V8 wasn’t enough, fans expect another eight-cylinder addition to the Mustang lineup for 2026. Rumors suggest the return of a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 or a similar range-topper, likely with a supercharged V8. 

In addition to the Mustang, the Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M8, Chevrolet Corvette, and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will carry on in the eight-cylinder segment, to name a few. But, even with a refresh, you won’t find the IS 500 on the list.

Frankly, the departure of the IS 500 and its 472-horsepower 5.0L V8 doesn’t leave the Lexus lineup completely devoid of a sporty eight-cylinder option. The 2026 Lexus LC 500 carries on for 2026 with the N/A V8.