Toyota’s reliability meets luxury when it comes to Lexus’ lineup of vehicles. Fortunately for fans of the automaker’s classically analog cars, one of the new vehicles in the luxury lineup goes without a hybrid option. Enter the 2023 Lexus IS, the cheapest new sports sedan in the lineup that packs a fuel-sipping IS 300 trim, V6 power in the IS 350 F SPORT, and optional V8 thrust at higher trims like the IS 500 F SPORT Performance.

What is the cheapest new Lexus car?

The cheapest new car in the Lexus lineup is the IS 300 sedan, which starts at around $40,985. While the UX and NX have lower starting prices, those vehicles are SUVs, not sedans. 

The Lexus IS 300, the entry-level trim, packs a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine. It’s also the most fuel-efficient offering in the IS lineup, with around 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. As a result, the IS 300 is the cheapest-to-purchase sedan in the marque’s lineup and the cheapest trim in terms of ownership costs. 

Prices rise at the higher trim levels; the V6-powered IS 350 F SPORT Design and F SPORT start at about $44,060 and $45,310, respectively. Moreover, the IS 500 F SPORT Performance and F SPORT Performance Premium push the starting prices even further. The F SPORT Performance starts at $58,670, and the Premium at $63,170. 

What kind of car is a Lexus IS?

The 2023 Lexus IS is a four-door luxury sports sedan with seating for five. Furthermore, the Lexus car model is the smallest sedan in the automaker’s lineup, competing with cars like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

Moreover, the IS lineup goes without a hybrid option, offering four, six, and eight-cylinder engines instead. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; many of Lexus’ vehicles offer alternative energy options, and the IS is a conventional addition to the marque’s luxury library.   

What kind of engine does the Lexus IS have?

The IS 300 is the most affordable offering of the model’s trim levels. However, the IS 300 packs an underwhelming 241-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. Fans who want more performance from the cheapest car in Lexus’ lineup will have to opt for the IS 350 or IS 500. 

The IS 350 F SPORT and F SPORT Design feature 3.5L V6 engines that produce 311 horsepower. Finally, the IS 500 trims develop 472 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8. In fact, Car and Driver coaxed a V8-powered IS 500 F SPORT Performance from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. 

Is Lexus a good car brand? 

Lexus has a reputation for lavish luxury interiors, sporty exterior styling, and Toyota-level reliability. As a result, the Japanese automaker is a good brand for car shoppers who want a posh sedan or SUV. 

However, the upper-trim IS trims can cost $60,000 or more, which makes the model even more expensive than tauter European rivals like the Audi S4.