2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Sedan

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport has a price of $42,950. It is available with a power-packed V6 and comes in both RWD and AWD options. Last year, the IS 350 F Sport received major updates with a new exterior, cabin features, safety, and an adaptive suspension. It rivals the likes of BMW M340i, Mercedes AMG C 43, and the Audi S4.

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport is available in a single trim option. With a base price of $42,950, it gets an appealing exterior design with premium colors, massive 19-inch wide wheels, triple-beam LED headlamps, and unique singular LED tail lamp. Inside you have F Sport buckets seats. The cabin is equipped with advanced tech and displays and a premium audio system. You can avail the AWD system at just $2,000.

Which Trim should you buy?

The Lexus IS 350 F Sport is one of a kind sporty sedan. It offers tons of luxury features, remarkable performance, and an eye-popping exterior design. Lexus has upgraded the IS 350 F Sport with better mechanics, an adaptive suspension, and optional packages. The navigation package adds a massive higher resolution display with a navigation system.

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport is powered by a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine. It delivers 311 hp of power at 6,600 RPM to the rear wheels with 280-pound feet of torque output at 4,800 RPM. The engine is mated to an 8-Speed automatic transmission with selectable modes and paddle shifters. The AWD version gets a 6-Speed automatic transmission.

The Lexus IS 350 F Sport sprints from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, where it takes 14.2 seconds to cover a quarter-mile. It redlines with a top speed of 143 mph, which is not the best in the competition. With the AWD, the performance figures are a bit affected. The AWD version takes 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph and completes a quarter-mile run in 14.3 seconds.

With its performance and pricing, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport seems like a sensible pick in the segment. However, its rivals are comparatively powerful and pricey. The Audi S4 is the closest rival to the IS 350 F Sport with its $50,000 price tag and a 349 hp TFSI V6 engine. Other rivals also offer 6 cylinder engines. Among them, the Mercedes AMG C 43 is the most popular, followed by the BMW M340i. Both BMW and Lexus offer an RWD drivetrain as standard with an optional AWD system. However, the rivals are way ahead in terms of performance.

How well does the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport handle?

Lexus has made changes to the driving behavior of the IS 350 to make it more sporty and agile. As it is the F Sport model, it offers enhanced handling and performance to suit its segment. The adaptive variable suspension adjusts the ride to provide balance and handling at different speeds.

With its linear RWD acceleration and a 311 hp motor, the IS 350 F Sport drives a lot different than a regular IS 350. The variable gear ratio steering changes according to the speed and angle of the steering. The overall ride quality is amazing, but it still can't match up to some of the German rivals that outperform it.

Braking Performance

Being a sports sedan, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport is pretty packed when it comes to advanced and safe braking. It has 4 wheel ABS brakes with front and rear disc ventilation for proper braking at high speeds. It also offers brake assistance and hill hold control. At the front, we have 13.2-inch brake rotors and 11.7-inch brake rotors at the rear. The brakes allow it to stop from 60 MPH of speed in a respectable 112 feet of distance.

The Lexus IS 350 F Sport weighs less than the other cars in the segment. That's why it can stop at a good enough distance of 112 feet with slightly smaller rear brake rotors than the rivals. With bigger brakes, the rivals stop much quicker. The AMG C 43 takes just 105 feet of distance, while the other rivals need a few feet more, which is still better than the IS 350.

With its performance-packed 311 hp V6, you cannot expect the Lexus IS 350 F Sport to deliver the best economy. Still, it fares well with its decent mileage. You get 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and a combined 23 mpg. As it comes with a massive 17.4-gallon fuel capacity, it has a highway range close to 487.2 miles. Again, with the AWD system, the IS 350 F Sport will offer a slightly lowered fuel economy.

The BMW M340i delivers the best in class fuel economy despite its 382 hp power output, thanks to its efficient Inline-6 cylinder engine. It is followed by the IS 350 F Sport where the Audi S4 ties with Lexus with similar economy figures. As expected, the most powerful AMG C 43 offers the lowest economy in the segment. When comparing the overall range, the BMW has the best figure of 405.6 miles combined.

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport is the perfect blend of modern design and luxury. The cabin is all wrapped in synthetic Nuluxe leather upholstery with circuit red, black, or white color options with ash and black geometric interior trims. The driver-focused cabin looks quite spacious and opulent with striking attention to detail. Inside its lavish cabin, the IS 350 F Sport can accommodate up to 5 people. The center of attraction is the digital display with a sliding bezel, which is interactive. The dash is wrapped in perforated leather with contrast stitching. We have jet turbine-inspired AC vents which is the coolest thing about the dash. The floating infotainment system sits atop the dash. The perforated leather-trimmed steering gets exclusive stitching and is paired with aluminum paddle shifters.

The IS 350 F Sport gets its distinct enhanced bolstered bucket seats with unique foam-injected construction that wraps itself around the driver. It offers heated and ventilated functions with 10-way power-adjustability for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. You also get lumbar support and tilt head restraints. The rear seat is a 60/40 split-bench seat with a fold forward seatback. You get armrests with storage bins in both rows. The cabin is equipped with top-notch convenience features such as a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, dynamic radar cruise control with a driver's footrest, tilt and telescopic steering, front and rear one-touch power windows, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, 2 12V DC outlets, air filtration system, seatback storage pockets, and cup holders for beverages.

The IS 350 F Sport is no less than the German brands when it comes to cabin quality and comfort. At the front, you get a decent seating space with proper headroom and massive legroom. However, the rear is a bit uptight as compared to the rivals with its limited legroom. The ambiance inside the cabin is truly premium as the Lexus IS is crafted with quality materials. Its sporty design leaves you with a standard trunk space of 10.8 cubic feet. which is smaller in comparison to the rivals. Highlight interior features include:

• Nuluxe leather upholstery
• Sliding bezel digital display
• Perforated leather dashboard and steering with contrast stitching
• Aluminum paddle shifters
• Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
• Dynamic radar cruise control
• Panoramic sunroof

What's there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport comes with a Lexus multimedia system that powers an 8.0-inch touchscreen display. The infotainment system offers an AM/FM radio, a CD player, HD radio, and a SiriusXM radio subscription for 90 days. With that, you have Bluetooth handsfree and audio streaming as well. The key features of the infotainment include Amazon Alexa Compatibility, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto device integration. We also have a Lexus Enform WiFi with 4GB trial data for three months. The infotainment can be operated through a remote touchpad. It is also accessible via the Lexus App and voice command.

The infotainment is mated to 10 Pioneer speakers and a 393W amplifier. With the Navigation package, you can add a bigger 10.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen display as well. It comes with Lexus Enform dynamic navigation and destination assist. It is operated through machine aluminum control knobs. The dynamic voice command makes it easier to operate the infotainment. The Mark Levinson premium audio package changes the whole music experience inside your Lexus. This setup includes a 1,800W 7.1 channel with 17 premium speakers with Quantum logic surround sound. Highlight infotainment features include:

• Lexus multimedia system
• 8.0-inch touchscreen display (standard)
• 10.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen display (Navigation package)
• SiriusXM radio subscription
• Amazon Alexa Compatibility
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Pioneer speakers with 393W amplifier

Being a sports sedan is one thing and looking like one is another. The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport is designed in such a manner that its exhilarating design became bolder and sharper, that's why the F Sport model looks so aggressive than the regular IS 350. It has distinct bumpers, redesigned headlamps, exaggerated body lines, and full-length tail lamps. With the carbon-fiber exterior elements such as the power side mirrors and a rear spoiler, the IS 350 F Sport looks even sportier. You have 19-inch staggered width F Sport alloy wheels with either summer or all-season tires. The optional 19-inch staggered width BBS wheels are finished in a matte black color. These wheels are comparatively lighter for better handling and responsiveness.

What's crazy about the IS 350 F Sport is that it is too aerodynamic to be true. With the latest Lexus signature design philosophy, we have the most striking exterior design of the IS lineup. First, we have a redesigned front fascia with new sleeker triple beam LED headlamps. The headlamps are cut into the black grille to make the signature hourglass shape. Moreover, the aerodynamics of the bumpers comprises center and side air ducts for smooth airflow. The same philosophy is followed on the doors where you get fading body lines on the front door where the side skirt lines climb up the rear wheel arches. Its coupe-like silhouette back meets with a gloss black spoiler that adds downforce at higher speeds.

The IS 350 F Sport has a lightweight monocoque structure. In terms of size and dimensions, it is similar to the other performance sedans. However, Lexus has induced more muscle into the structure to widen the body for a sporty and agile stance. Also, it offers much better ground clearance and a raised height to stand tall against competitive rivals. The 110.2-inch wheelbase combines with the adaptive suspension to give you a comfortable ride as well. Highlight exterior features include:

• Aerodynamic design
• F Sport exterior design
• Triple beam LED headlamps
• Full-width singular LED tail lamp
• Carbon fiber exterior elements
• Dual chrome tip exhausts
• Rear spoiler
• 19-inch staggered width wheels

The monocoque body of the Lexus IS 350 F Sport sits on the Toyota N platform. It got certain tweaks with the chassis and suspension when the IS 350 F Sport was redesigned last year. Now it has a lightweight rigid structure focused on track-performance. That's how the IS Series won the 'Top safety pick+' title for 2021 MY by the IIHS. Also, the NHTSA has rated its structural safety with 5 Stars.

The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport is equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5. It offers advanced safety features such as the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, and a dynamic radar cruise control. It also offers a blind-spot monitor and a rear cross-traffic alert. The optional package adds an intuitive parking assist and panoramic view monitor. Standout safety features include:

• Monocoque body
• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Lane tracing assist
• Dynamic radar cruise control
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Parking assist
• Panoramic view monitor

2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport vs 2021 BMW M340i

The BMW M340i is a full package of performance with its firecracker engine. It is the most practical, stylish, and technologically advanced sedan in the segment. It is capable of delivering a mind-blowing fuel economy as well. On the other hand, we have the Lexus IS 350 F Sport with its striking design, advanced dynamics, and power-packed V6 engine. If we talk about the price, the IS 350 F Sport seems like value for money, whereas the M340i is a bit overpriced.

2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport vs 2021 Mercedes AMG C 43

Mercedes has been the segment-leading luxury car maker with its state-of-the-art interior design and tons of convenience features. The AMG C 43 packs a powerful motor that is the fastest in the lineup of compact sedans. It has an unmatched driving experience and handling with ultimate comfort. The Lexus IS 350 F Sport is no match to the AMG C 43 in terms of performance. Still, it's a tough competitor for the C 43 with its economy, design, and standard features.

2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport vs 2021 Audi S4

The Audi S4 is one of the most capable sports sedans in its segment with its TFSI V6 engine that can even make the more powerful rivals run for their money. It is well packed in terms of cabin features, technology, comfort level, and has a spacious cabin too. Also, the S4 has the Quattro AWD system. When the Lexus IS 350 F Sport comes into the picture, we have a comparatively cheaper alternative to the S4 with similar features and options. However, it won't be able to deliver competitive performance.

The third-generation Lexus IS Series is quite popular in the segment for its pricing and options. You get distinct exterior styling and an appealing interior that suits the segment. It is a one of a kind compact executive sedan that catches your eyes with a glance. However, the naturally aspirated V6 is a bit underwhelming for a 2021 sports sedan, where the rivals offer turbo or more preferably twin-turbo engines. For $42,950, the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport is still a value-for-money luxury sports sedan if you consider some of its impressive attributes, a gorgeous exterior, magnificently equipped cabin, and a lightweight balanced structure.