2025 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Review: Newer Isn’t Always Better

This is the latest Lexus IS. It may not look that different from the previous one and that’s because it isn’t. It’s still based on the third-generation Lexus IS from 2013. But it’s got new body panels all around, new lights, and new wheels. So, you might ask, why is this thing even on my screen and why am I even blabbering on about it…? That’s because Lexus did something with this specific car that they haven’t done in a very, very long time: they’ve given it a thundering V-8 heart.

It’s called the IS 500, and it’s the first time Lexus shoved an eight-cylinder under the hood of the IS since the original IS F from almost a decade ago. So, while it sounds like a new IS F, it actually isn’t. Instead, Lexus calls it the IS 500 F Sport Performance, and it’s the first car to be branded as such…whatever that means. So, I spent a week with one to see what it’s all about.

2025 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance First Impressions

If you thought the latest Lexus IS was the same as the old, previous model, you wouldn’t be too far off. It looks more like a heavy evolutionary update, and that wouldn’t be too inaccurate either. Underneath it’s pretty much the same IS that debuted over a decade ago.

Start combing over the exterior and you can start seeing the differences, such as the sleeker lighting assemblies both fore and aft. Especially with the wraparound taillight bar that spans across the entire rear-end. It’s still a very good-looking sedan.

Sure, you might have a hard time telling this IS 500 F Sport Performance from your regular IS 350 F Sport. That is, until you either notice or pop its bulging hood, peer at the trunk badge or the subtle quad exhaust tips, or hit the engine start-stop button.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

If a Lexus IS with a V8 sounds familiar, it is because they’ve done it before with the original IS F from 2007 through 2014. And, if you were worried Lexus just took the regular IS and shoved a big lovely V8 up front, while doing nothing to the rest of the car, you’d be wrong. It gets Yamaha-tuned and upgraded rear performance dampers, sport-tuned suspension bits, larger and beefier brakes, a limited-slip rear differential, and other steering and chassis tweaks.

While this isn’t a full-fledged IS F, it’s still the closest you’ll get to one today. And the results speak for themselves. The IS 500 handles just as well, if not better, than the old IS F. WIth heavy, direct steering, level body control, and confident suspension and chassis tuning, the IS 500 is properly set up for a good time either on a curvaceous mountain road, or even a track day.

No, it’s not as tack-sharp as an M3 or even a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. However, you really won’t be able to tell, unless you’re racing any of its competitors on a track and pushing the IS 500 to its very limits all the time. But there’s one real reason to truly be enamored by this car.

Braking And Acceleration

The IS 500 sports the same V8 they put in the OG IS F, RC F, the GS F, and the bewitching LC500. Today, it’s still the same 2UR-GSE, complete with its Yamaha-tuned valvetrain. But while the old IS F made only just 414 horsepower and 371 torques, Lexus engineers massaged this one to make 472 horses and 395 torques. That’s nearly the same as you get from a base model BMW M3.

And it’s still nothing short of absolutely spectacular. With no forced induction, there’s no turbo lag or loss of steam as found with a supercharger. It’s just pure, smooth, unbridled naturally-aspirated V-8 power, all the way to its lofty 8,000+ RPM redline. It’s still just so smooth and linear, it’s like getting cleanly smacked by a hammer made of top-grade Kobe beef.

I’ve always been an unabashed fan of the 2UR-GSE since day one and that hasn’t changed one bit in the IS 500. Quite simply, it’s one of the best high-performance, naturally-aspirated V-8s ever made, and I will die on that hill. And the brakes are absolutely fantastic to match.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 4.4 Seconds (Manufacturer Claimed)
• Top Speed: 165 MPH (Manufacturer Claimed)

Performance Specifications

2024 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the Lexis IS 500 F Sport Performance as capable of up to 17 miles per gallon in the city, 25 on the highway, and 20 MPG combined. For a two-plus-ton sedan with a honkin’ V-8 under the hood, such numbers aren’t as bad as one expects. But they’re also not surprising, given the amount of performance available.

During my week-long evaluation period, with a mixture of both suburban and interstate traveling throughout Northern New Jersey, and even a spirited sprint up in the hills, the IS 500’s computer reported an average fuel consumption of around 17-20 miles per gallon.

Interior Design And Comfort

Because the IS 500 is still based on the same IS from 2013, the interior still looks the part. But it gets some updated bits here and there, as well as some new interior color combinations to keep it up to snuff. Always snug, but neatly balanced between sport and comfort, the IS 500 remains as cozy as Lexus are known to be, with just the right amount of sport.

You still sit low, like in a cockpit. Some may find the design dated, but it’s still a nice place to be. It’s also incredibly quiet with minimal noise, vibration, and harshness levels, as one expects from a Lexus. And the ride is shockingly very supple, particularly for a car with sport-tuned suspension.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Because the IS 500 retains its roots from 2013, it also uses the same Lexus Interface infotainment system, with the controversially polarizing touchpad selector on the center console. While the touchpad itself received its fair share of criticism, it’s been around for so long that it’s become easier to use from time and familiarity.

Lexus thankfully updated the software, menu designs, and higher definition graphics to make the system appear more up with the times. And in today’s touchscreen happy cars, the IS’s old-school physical button array and control interfaces on the center console feel refreshingly familiar and tactile, even if they are over a decade old. It also comes with an optional and fabulous Mark Levinson premium sound system.

Cargo And Storage Space

The IS 500 boasts up to 10.8 cubic feet of space in its boot, which is on the smaller side, despite being a couple of inches longer than a BMW 3 Series. Speaking of which, a 3er’s trunk offers up to 16.9 cubes, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers 12.6. Thankfully, the Lexus’ seats do fold down in a 60/40 arrangement for longer items.

2025 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Vs. Its Competitors

As Lexus’ fastest and most powerful IS sedan available, but not quite a full-fledged IS F, the IS 500 F Sport Performance lands itself in a bit of a unique place. As a compact luxury sports sedan, it competes against the usual rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4/S4, and the Cadillac CT4.

The IS 500, however, is nearly as quick as a regular M3, only being 0.3 seconds slower to 60 MPH. But because the standard M3 is almost $16,000 more expensive, the IS 500 F Sport Performance more closely competes with the M340i, which starts just a shade above $60k. It’s also just as quick as a similarly-priced Mercedes-AMG C43 (4.3 seconds to 60 MPH). But the biggest advantage over either of those is that the IS 500 is the only one with a V-8.

How The Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Compares To The BMW M340i

Because the IS 500 isn’t quite a full-fledged IS F and is significantly cheaper than an M3, it more directly competes with the near-M3-like BMW M340i. Both offer more performance than their standard base model siblings, both can crack 60 MPH in under 4.5 seconds, and both are near $62,000 to start.

Performance

As phenomenal and legendary as BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six is, the Lexus’ V-8 is just more fun. The M340i’s six just can’t match the visceral and outstanding response of Lexus’s Yamaha high-performance-tuned V-8, which revs to over 8,000 RPM.

The M340i may be oh so slightly quicker, but the V-8 is a far more engaging experience. It is an incredibly tight race here and a serious matter of splitting even the tiniest of hairs. The M340i may feel sharper and more agile in the corners, as it does weigh less and is slightly smaller than the IS 500. But the differences are almost negligible.

Comfort

Neither the IS 500 nor the M340i suffer or have any drawbacks in the comfort department. But the Lexus has a very, very slight leg up with a quieter interior and maybe a shade more smoothness, refinement, and a more complaint ride. And the seats seem a little bit softer. However, it truly is another case of splitting hairs.

Technology

BMW has the upper hand as its iDrive system and BMW Curved Display is far newer and up to the times over Lexus’ Interface. But the IS 500 can do nearly all the things the BMW can. It’s just in a slightly older format.

A Fine Example Of Another Dying Breed

Yes, it may be based off of a 13-year-old platform and yes, others are newer and much more up to date. But all the IS 500 F Sport Performance’s drawbacks are completely nullified the second you put it in either Sport or Sport+, and simply put your foot down. And there aren’t really many drawbacks to begin with, besides its dated feeling.

Buyers don’t seem to really care about its age either, as Lexus reportedly moved just under 19,000 IS sedans in 2024, according to the Googles. The BMW 3 Series is still the segment’s bestseller at 31,330 units in 2024, while Mercedes sold 8,333 C-Classes, and Audi moved 5,992 A4/S4 sedans that year as well.

It might sound cliché, but the IS 500 is another fine example of a dying breed, simply because naturally-aspirated engines will eventually cease to exist because of emissions compliance. And that V-8 is worth every single one of its $60,000 and then some. The fact that it still stands up well against all of its rivals and withstands the test of time is also a testament to how good and truly underappreciated back then. Get one while you can. You won’t regret it.