2023 Lexus IS: The Perfect Blend of Athletic Design and Innovative Technology
For over two decades, the Lexus IS has been the bridge connecting drivers to their vehicles, resonating with enthusiasts globally. The debut of the revamped IS in 2021 saw Lexus enhancing this bond, emphasizing the core driving experience with the introduction of the Lexus Driving Signature, a cornerstone for the Lexus identity. Fast forward to 2022, the introduction of the IS 500 F SPORT Performance added a commanding touch to the series, boasting a robust naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that delivers 472 hp and 395 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2023 Lexus IS is set to elevate this legacy, introducing a slew of standard features and an enriched array of luxury choices.
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2023 Lexus IS: Elevating the IS 500 F SPORT Experience
Enhanced Wheel Offerings
In 2023, the Lexus IS 500 will be equipped with new standard 19-inch Enkei alloy wheels, boasting a sophisticated dark finish. Drawing inspiration from the success of the 2022 IS 500 Launch Edition, the 2023 Lexus IS 500 will also provide the exclusive 19-inch Matte Black BBS forged alloy wheels. This premium wheel option will be available for both IS 500 F SPORT Performance variants.
Introducing the 2023 Special Appearance Package
For enthusiasts aiming to amplify their IS 500 experience, the 2023 Lexus IS lineup introduces the Special Appearance Package, exclusively for the IS 500 F SPORT Premium grade. This package is a visual treat, featuring the captivating Molten Pearl exterior paint paired with a Black NuLuxe® interior. The design is further enhanced by the standout 19-inch Matte Black BBS forged alloy wheels. To complete the luxurious feel, the 2023 Special Appearance Package offers color-coordinated floor-trimmed mats and matching key gloves.
Limited Availability
The 2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Premium, when equipped with the Special Appearance Package, will be a rare gem with only 150 units available. Enthusiasts can look forward to its release this upcoming fall.
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2023 Lexus IS: Spotlight on IS 300 and IS 350 F SPORT
Continued Excellence in Performance
The 2023 Lexus IS 300 and IS 350 F SPORT models remain at the forefront of delivering robust performance paired with impeccable craftsmanship. The upcoming year will see the IS 350 being introduced in a fresh F SPORT Design grade, available for both RWD and AWD setups. This updated IS 350 F SPORT Design will showcase all the signature F SPORT exterior touches, from the bumpers, grille, and rear lip spoiler to the badging, all crowned with the 19-inch F SPORT alloy wheels.
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Handling Package for Enhanced Drive
The 2023 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT is set to introduce a Handling Package, designed to elevate the driving experience. This package will feature the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and, for the RWD models, the Torsen Limited-Slip Rear Differential. Additionally, the Drive Mode Select with Sport S/S+ and Custom Modes will be a part of this package. For those seeking an added touch of style, the 19-inch Matte Black BBS forged alloy wheels can be incorporated into this package.
Exclusive Special Appearance Package for IS 350 F SPORT
The 2023 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT is set to dazzle with an exclusive Special Appearance Package. This package presents a one-of-a-kind exterior blend, showcasing the Incognito paint highlighted by an Obsidian black hood and roof. The exterior’s allure is matched by a black NuLuxe interior. To round off this unique appearance, the package will feature 19-inch Enkei alloy wheels with a refined dark finish. This exclusive offering will be limited to just 480 units, with sales commencing this fall.
2023 Lexus IS: Bold Exterior Evolution
The 2023 Lexus IS showcases not just a daring design but also an athletic stance, hinting at the nimble transformations beneath its exterior. The design speaks of broader, lower dimensions, accentuated by its slightly increased width and muscular fenders. These fenders are crafted to house the larger 19-inch wheels and broader tires. The design not only nods to the car’s superior driving capabilities but also blends sleek contours with a distinctly aggressive edge, evident in the side and shoulder character lines.
Front Fascia Highlights
The front of the 2023 Lexus IS is adorned with a revamped spindle grille, boasting a three-dimensional polyhedral structure that radiates from its foremost tip, exuding a commanding presence. The F SPORT variants come with block forms inspired by the spindle motif, paired with a mesh design for a sportier feel. These models also incorporate a grille-bottom air intake, aiding in brake cooling—a design cue borrowed from the RC F. The standard IS models, on the other hand, feature a grille embedded with mini spindles, a design so intricate that it necessitated six unique cutting tools for mold creation.
Innovative Headlamp Design
The IS is equipped with sleek headlamps, incorporating daytime running lights that flaunt a crisp L-shape signature. These lights, positioned around the grille’s low areas, emphasize the car’s low center of gravity. This design is further accentuated by side character lines that seamlessly flow to the trunk’s rear. The available triple-beam LED headlights have also been reimagined to align with the car’s low-profile hood.
Side Profile and Rear Enhancements
The side profile of the 2023 Lexus IS is accentuated by new rocker panels, culminating in a sharper contour that merges into the robust shoulders above the rear wheel arches. The gently sloping rear-quarter pillars present a sturdy cabin silhouette, contrasting beautifully with the rear fenders to amplify its aggressive stance. As one’s gaze shifts to the car’s rear, the lines from the rear fenders merge into an extended, lowered rear deck, emphasizing its low and wide stance. This three-dimensional rear deck design is a result of advanced press-in mold construction technology. The most captivating feature, undoubtedly, is the L-shaped blade-style lightbar that stretches across the vehicle’s rear.
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Palette of Colors
The 2023 Lexus IS introduces five fresh exterior shades: Iridium, Cloudburst Gray, Matador Red Mica, Infrared, and Grecian Water. These additions join the existing favorites: Ultra White, Eminent White Pearl, Atomic Silver, Caviar, and Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0.
2023 Lexus IS: Dive into Deluxe Cabin Comfort
Harmonizing Luxury and Performance
The 2023 Lexus IS masterfully blends luxury with performance, offering an interior that speaks of both elegance and dynamism. Standard features include NuLuxe-trimmed seats, providing 10-way power adjustments for the driver and 8-way for the front passenger. The cabin boasts a dual-zone automatic climate control system with intuitive touch-sensitive controls, an optional power moonroof, and the convenience of SmartAccess paired with push-button start.
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Exquisite Interior Details
The F SPORT variants of the 2023 Lexus IS are adorned with new door trims, showcasing a pattern of embossed intersecting lines. This design is a testament to Lexus’s innovative decorative expression and the meticulous craftsmanship of Takumi artisans. The decorative elements are available in finishes like Black Metallic paint, Black Geometric Film, or Ash ornamentation, exclusive to F SPORT models with the Dynamic Handling Package. The cabin’s ambiance is further enhanced with Piano Black accents, exuding both sophistication and sportiness. The standard NuLuxe interior comes in shades like Black, Glazed Caramel, and Rioja Red. F SPORT packages offer Black, Circuit Red, and a two-tone White/Black combination. The F SPORT Dynamic Handling Package provides options in Black or Circuit Red.
Advanced Multimedia Integration
The 2023 Lexus IS is equipped with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, positioned 5.5 inches closer to the driver for effortless control access. An upgraded 10.3-inch touchscreen, situated 5.9 inches nearer than its predecessor, is available for models with navigation or the Mark Levinson with navigation feature. This new multimedia system is compatible with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa.
Apple CarPlay allows users to mirror their iPhone interface on the car’s display, enabling hands-free calls, navigation, messaging via Siri, and access to apps like Spotify and Audible. Android Auto offers a similar experience for Android users, with features like Google Maps navigation and voice-controlled Google Assistant. The Lexus+Alexa integration brings the convenience of Amazon Alexa on the go, allowing users to listen to audiobooks, and music, get weather updates, and news briefings, and even control smart home devices. This feature ensures a connected and convenient driving experience.
Upgraded Mark Levinson Audio System
The available Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System in the 2023 Lexus IS has been significantly enhanced. The system has evolved from a 15-speaker, 835-watt setup to a more powerful 17-speaker system backed by a robust 1,800-watt amplifier. This revamped Mark Levinson system focuses on minimizing interference, amplifying output with the addition of two new speakers, and delivering superior sound quality through new EQ tuning. The rear surround speakers have been upgraded to tweeter/mid-range Unity speakers. The audio amplifier now boasts enhanced Quantum Logic Surround, ensuring a premium 7.1 surround sound experience even for compressed audio sources.
2023 Lexus IS: Mastery in Drivetrains and Powertrains
Versatile Drive Options
While many envision the IS as a quintessential rear-wheel-drive compact sports sedan, the 2023 Lexus IS caters to a broader audience, offering both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. Depending on the chosen model, there are three distinct powertrain options to suit various driving needs.
IS 300 RWD: Turbocharged Efficiency
The rear-wheel-drive IS 300 is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. Updated for 2023, this engine boasts an adaptive transmission control, ensuring optimal gear selection based on driver input, resulting in a smooth driving experience. Producing 241 horsepower and a commendable 258 lb-ft of torque, this engine offers power across a broad range, from 1,650 rpm to 4,400 rpm. Its efficiency is further enhanced by the Variable Valve Timing intelligent – Wide system, allowing the engine to alternate between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycles. This powertrain is paired with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission, which features a cutting-edge G-force Artificial Intelligence system for optimal gear selection.
IS 300 AWD: Traction and Power
For those seeking enhanced traction, especially in colder climates, the IS 300 is available with all-wheel drive. This variant is driven by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 260 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. The power is distributed to all wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Its electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system ensures optimal traction by automatically adjusting the torque distribution between the front and rear. While it typically maintains a 30:70 front-to-rear torque split, it can divert up to 50 percent of the power to the front wheels when needed.
IS 350: Peak Performance
For those with a thirst for unparalleled power, the 2023 Lexus IS 350 is the answer. Available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, it’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, churning out 311 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. The rear-wheel-drive variant utilizes the eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission, similar to the IS 300 RWD. In contrast, the AWD model employs a six-speed automatic transmission. The performance credentials of these vehicles are evident in their acceleration, with the IS 350 RWD achieving 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and the IS 350 AWD accomplishing the same in 5.7 seconds.
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Comprehensive Active Safety Features
The 2023 Lexus IS is equipped standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, offering a comprehensive array of active safety features. Key among these is the Pre-Collision System that encompasses Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, and detection capabilities for both pedestrians and bicyclists. With enhanced camera and radar systems, the 2023 Lexus IS can now detect not only vehicles ahead but also cyclists during the day and pedestrians in both daytime and low-light scenarios. At intersections, the system can potentially recognize oncoming vehicles or pedestrians during left and right turns, activating typical PCS functionalities if deemed necessary. The Emergency Steering Assist further complements the PCS by aiding steering within the vehicle’s lane based on the driver’s cues.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
The All-Speed DRCC, operational above 30 mph, is designed to manage vehicle-to-vehicle distance down to a complete stop and can resume movement from a halt. A standout feature of the DRCC is its smooth overtaking capability. When behind a slower-moving vehicle, engaging the turn signal prompts the system to accelerate in preparation for lane changing. Once the lane change is completed, the vehicle continues to accelerate until it reaches the preset speed.
Lane Departure and Lane Tracing Assist
The Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist aims to alert drivers of unintentional lane departures when traveling above 32 mph. Alerts can be in the form of steering wheel vibrations or an audible signal, and the system can also make minor corrective actions to keep the vehicle within the lane. When DRCC is activated, Lane Tracing Assist provides subtle steering assistance to help the vehicle remain centered in the lane, using visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle as a reference. The 2023 Lexus IS boasts improved lane recognition, enhancing LTA’s performance, ensuring better lane and road edge recognition, and providing enhanced control after lane changes.
Additional Safety Features
The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 in the 2023 Lexus IS also includes Intelligent High Beams, which automatically toggle between high and low beams based on the presence of other vehicles. The Road Sign Assist uses a camera and, when available, navigation maps to detect specific road signs, displaying them on the multi-information display for the driver’s convenience.
Conclusion: A Fusion of Luxury, Performance, and Safety
In the ever-evolving world of luxury sedans, the 2023 Lexus IS stands out as a testament to Lexus’s commitment to innovation, performance, and safety. From its meticulously crafted interiors and powerful drivetrains to the state-of-the-art Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, every aspect of the IS is designed with the driver in mind.
The vehicle seamlessly blends athletic design with top-tier performance features, ensuring that every drive is both exhilarating and comfortable. Its advanced safety systems not only aim to protect the occupants but also enhance the overall driving experience, providing peace of mind on every journey.
Whether you’re seeking a car that delivers a dynamic driving experience, offers the pinnacle of luxury, or prioritizes safety above all, the 2023 Lexus IS doesn’t just meet expectations—it surpasses them. As Lexus continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the automotive world, the IS serves as a shining example of its dedication to excellence. For those in search of the ultimate driving companion, the journey undoubtedly leads to the 2023 Lexus IS.