Price: 59,400–$63,900
7.3 /10
Rating
Pros
- Potent naturally aspirated V-8
- Luxurious, refined cabin materials
- Compliant, comfortable daily ride
Cons
- Dated infotainment interface
- Below-average fuel efficiency
- Less agile handling dynamics
Overview: 2023 Lexus IS 500
Sliding into the driver’s seat, the 2023 Lexus IS 500 immediately impresses with its naturally aspirated V-8—a rarity in a class dominated by turbocharged rivals like the Acura TLX Type S or BMW 3-series. The growl of the 5.0-liter engine is pure refined drama, and while its 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds trails the Mercedes-AMG C 43, the linear power delivery feels genuine and addictive. Lexus nails the luxury basics: the cabin wraps you in premium materials, and the ride remains compliant even on rough pavement. Yet, for a sports-sedan, the suspension leans too easy-going—agile but not as sharp as the GR Supra Manual or Audi S4 in corners. The sport-tuned differential and adaptive dampers help, yet the steering lacks the engaging feedback of European competitors. Inside, the dated infotainment frustrates with its clunky interface, a letdown next to the Genesis G70’s slick setup. Still, the IS 500 stands out as a mild-mannered cruiser with a hooligan-spec heart—ideal if you crave V-8 character without sacrificing daily comfort. It’s a better choice than the underpowered IS300 or even the V-6 IS350 F Sport, though turbocharged tides might leave efficiency-focused buyers eyeing the A4 or M240i instead.
What's New?
Stepping into 2023, the updates focus on style: the IS500 gains sharp Enkei wheels (bye-bye last year’s designs) and a special appearance package with head-turning Molten Pearl or moody Incognito exterior paint. During a test drive, the black faux-leather interior upholstery looked sleek but felt less plush than the Premium model’s genuine leather—think “fancy gym shorts” versus tailored trousers. Performance fans get BBS forged alloy wheels, while the Obsidian hood mirrors the IS350 F Sport’s appearance package, giving it a stealthy edge. Lexus built this as a unique blend of aggression and daily comfort, though rivals still outpace its tech.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Choice
Powertrain & Performance
Sliding behind the wheel, the 2023 IS500’s 5.0-liter V8 feels like a relic of explosion-happy engineering—467 horses galloping freely without turbocharging, a trait fading in today’s downsized six- and four-cylinder replacements. During a backroad blast, that ballistic thrust above 4,000 RPM delivered genuine oomph, hitting 0-60 MPH in 4.4 seconds—close to the BMW M340i’s benchmark but with a richer soundtrack. Yet the eight-speed automatic transmission often hesitated to downshift, its lackadaisical shift times glaring next to the Bavarian’s crisp turbocharged inline-six. Lexus’ adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential sharpened corners, though the 4,000-pound curb weight dulled the athletic chassis’ potential. While the V8’s rev range thrills, the aging transmission and throttle response quirks in Sport modes remind you this model prioritizes refined personality over razor-edge performance. Opt for the F Sport Package with staggered 19-inch wheels to unlock its upscale grit, but know the IS350’s V6 or even the turbocharged 2.0-liter IS300 offer lighter character for daily driving.
Fuel Efficiency and Driving Range
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the IS500’s V8 isn’t winning any fuel-economy awards. While the four-cylinder IS300 sips fuel at 31 mpg highway and the V6 IS350 manages 28 mpg, this model averaged 22 mpg during my week of mixed driving—comfortable for a casual driver, but hardly efficient. On a 75-mph test route, it hit 30 mpg in steady cruising, yet city stops dragged it down to 17 mpg, a horrid trade-off for that addictive burbling exhaust. Sure, the burly V8 churns through gas faster than the all-wheel-drive IS350’s 25 mpg highway rating, but let’s be real: you’re here for the characterful growl, not gas mileage. Compared to BMW or Mercedes’ trite turbo-fours, the Lexus feels uncommon and luxurious, with magnificent standing looks and a pretty cabin. Just budget extra for fuel—those weekend drives are worth the indulgence.
Interior and Comfort
Settling into the driver’s seat, the deluxe interior wraps you in premium leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, though the updated infotainment still frustrates with its slow trackpad—like using a mouse with mittens. During a weeklong test, the power seats and air vents kept me comfortable, but rattles near the dashboard on rough roads hinted at tightened cost-cutting. The compact sedan’s recentered steering feels predictable at highway speeds, yet the hard buttons and push-button shifter lack the luxury finesse of Lexus’ flagship LS. While the 2021 updates brought standard heated seats and updated programming for the traction system, the interface remains annoyingly sluggish, especially when shuffling through drive modes. For a model priding itself on refinement, the steely 90-degree door angles and shuffling storage spaces (looking at you, rear cupholders) feel inelegant next to rivals. Still, the quiet cabin and solid build quality make it a relaxed daily driver—if you can overlook its tech quirks.
Cargo & Practicality
Cranking open the trunk, you’ll find 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space—tight for the class but workable for weekend trips, though rivals like the IS 350 offer superior volume. The split-fold rear seats (a rare 60/40 perk in sport sedans) help expand capacity for tall items, but rear passengers sacrifice legroom if you scoot the front seats back. Inside, storage areas feel lacking: the phone slot barely fits modern devices, and the rear armrest’s cupholders are shallow. Still, clever touches like anchor points and a sunglasses holder add usable convenience. For a sports car masquerading as a practical sedan, it’s adequate—just don’t expect SUV-level versatility.
Tech & Connectivity
Navigating the infotainment system, the 10.3-inch display (up from the previous-generation’s 8.0-inch) looks crisp, but the console-mounted touchpad feels like a relic—fussy and slow. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, though wireless connectivity remains an optional extra, a puzzling option in this premium segment. During a weeklong test, the 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo (a 1,800-watt beast) delivered rich sound, but the base system’s speakers lack depth. In-dash navigation and Amazon Alexa integration add smart tech convenience, yet the interface lags behind rivals like BMW’s iDrive. While the IS’s upgrades are welcome, the system still demands too much power (patience, not watts) to master on the go.
Safety
Behind the wheel, Lexus’ safety lineup impresses with standard emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist—tools I relied on during a hectic highway drive. The adaptive cruise control maintained smooth gaps in traffic, though the lane-departure warning sometimes pinged falsely near faded markings. While the IIHS and NHTSA award top crash-test results, the driver-assistance tech feels less polished than BMW’s or Audi’s; the automated systems occasionally overreact to sudden lane changes. Still, for everyday drivers, these key features add reassurance without overwhelming complexity.
Key features:
✅ IIHS/NHTSA top scores ensure crash protection confidence.
✅ Lane-keeping assist needs smoother sensitivity tuning.
✅ Adaptive cruise excels in steady traffic flow.
Warranty and Maintenance Plan
Scanning the fine print, Lexus’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain coverage outshine many rivals, though BMW’s complimentary maintenance plan lasts longer. The first-year scheduled service is included at no charge, a perk I appreciated during my 10,000-mile oil change—smooth and hassle-free. However, the limited comprehensive plan ends at 50,000 miles, while brands like Audi extend bumper-to-bumper coverage. For high-mileage drivers, the powertrain protection is a highlighted strength, but the maintenance covers basics, not wear-and-tear items like brakes or wipers.
Key features:
✅ 6-year powertrain warranty offers long-term engine security.
✅ No extended coverage for high-mileage drivers post-50,000.
✅ First-year maintenance eases initial ownership costs.
Gallery:
Images sourced from Lexus Newsroom.
