Refreshed 2026 Lexus IS 350 - Love It or Hate It

Image from Lexus

On September 9, 2025, Lexus revealed to us their new 2026 Lexus IS 350, and it is really a love it or hate it deal. The press release claims that the 2026 Lexus IS sedan got a "glow up" with a refreshed and "refined" look inside and out. Well, refreshed? Sure. Refined? I don't actually know.

The Lexus IS sedan has always been a reliable, sporty, luxurious, and very good-looking sedan for those looking for a bit more power and comfort than the standard Toyota Camry. And it sold for that reason alone, it's a Camry but with a bit more power, luxury, and a sportier look and feel. A Camry doesn't come in RWD and an LSD (Limited-slip differential)! But did Lexus go too far by making it look a little too similar to the new Camry?

Take a look at these pictures. The front facias are a little too similar for my liking, given that the Lexus is nearly twice the price. The only things keeping the Lexus from getting absolutely destroyed in the comment sections are the headlights, side mirrors, and the wider stance. Other than that, the front bumper is way too similar to the Camry for comfort.

No, what will set the Lexus IS aside from the Camry on the outside, at least, is everything else, the body shape, the stance, the rear end, it is all very Lexus and very nice.

Image from Lexus

Image from Lexus

The body shape is generally the same as the previous IS; however, the similarity dies off at the rear end, with the Lexus badge being replaced by Lexus spelled out. Additionally, the spoiler is different from last year and is also just a love it or hate it deal. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan.

Let's talk powertrain, the 2026 Lexus IS 350 keeps its 3.5L V6 with 311 horsepower, which I am sure everyone will be relieved by. 0-60 comes in at around 5.6 seconds, which is surely not the fastest in this segment, but absolutely not the slowest.

Image from Lexus

Interior-wise, I am honestly kinda happy. The IS got its long-awaited refresh by getting the newer steering wheel and center console setup without the trackpad, which might make a few people unhappy, but it's cleaner. This new setup retains the physical buttons and dials for the drive modes, heated and cooled seats, climate control, and volume, and most importantly, keeps the physical gear shifter, which is such a relief; thank you, Lexus. This new climate control setup allows Lexus to move the screen closer to the driver, allowing for easy access, given that there is no more trackpad. This also freed up space for a wireless phone charger that is placed where the old climate control was. Now, what made me kind of sad looking at the interior is the gauge cluster, as Lexus removed the digital tachometer that moved like the one from the Lexus LFA; why Lexus? Also, what is wrong with the red interior in these pictures? It looks cheaper and more like a Camry than a Lexus IS.

Conclusion

This long-awaited refresh taught the old man some new tricks, and though many people might not be a fan of this, think about the most direct competition to the IS 350, the BMW M340i. The M340i has way more screen real estate and a tiny nugget shifter, miles behind the Lexus. Would I personally buy the IS 350 over the M340i? Depends on what I am in the market for. Do I want something a bit more comfortable and reliable than sporty? Then I would get the IS, but do I want something sportier, with some comfort and reliability? I would get the M340i. The M340i makes more power, gets better mpg, is still decently reliable, and might even look better than this new IS, even though the interior is not as nice. This refresh would have been perfect if they hadn't messed with the front end and the gauge cluster; other than that, I am definitely not complaining. Stop making your front ends more awkward, Lexus. Do better.