Lexus debuts new look for IS

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Lexus has given the IS sedan a fresh look for the new decade.

Lexus has revealed its next-generation IS, which gets new looks and improved tech but no extra power.

Well, we say new looks - it's definitely an evolution on the old model as opposed to a ground-up redesign.

The divisive spindle grille is still there albeit now three-dimensional, as Lexus calls it, with a larger lower intake and two further intakes on either corner. The IS F Sport gets more blacked-out elements and a special mesh pattern to differentiate from cooking models.

It's not hugely different to before but the single-unit headlights and refined spindle grille are the main changes in the front of the new IS.

There are larger and lower headlights with a slightly more traditional single-unit design eschewing the old split look. The LED daytime running lights are now embedded in the same housing as the main headlight, which can be upgraded to triple-beam LED units.

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Full-width LED light bars always seem to look good and the IS is no exception.

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The big question is: would you buy the IS over a 3 Series, A4 or C-Class?

Moving around to the profile shows a sculpted shoulder line that flares up and over the rear wheels, which get a new design. IS F Sport models get 19-inch BBS wheels while 18 inchers are standard on other trims.

Around the back is a full-width LED light bar that integrates seamlessly with the swooshy taillight design.

Inside is largely identical to the previous IS (including that annoying trackpad) but there are subtle updates. An 8.0-inch touchscreen comes standard and has been moved three inches closer to the driver while a larger 10.3-inch screen is an optional extra. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa are all standard too.

Meanwhile, under the bonnnet is the same array of powertrains as before. That means the 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot, the 164kW 2.5-litre hybrid four-cylinder and the 3.5-litre V6 making 232kW/380Nm.

All non-hybrid engines get an eight-speed auto while the electrified engines get a CVT. There are mentions of all-wheel drive versions that use a six-speed automatic overseas, but Lexus New Zealand has ruled this out.

The platform is the same as before, but the new IS is wider and lower than before by 30mm and 5mm respectively. New coil springs are 20 per cent lighter than before, new A-arms are 18 per cent lighter and the anti-roll bar up front is 17 per cent lighter.

While motivation remains identical to the older models, driving the new IS should be noticeably different thanks to something called the 'Lexus Driving Signature'. This refers to Lexus' work on improving driving performance, linear driver feedback and transitioning from deceleration to acceleration as smoothly as possible.

Finally, Lexus has improved active safety with the new Lexus Safety System+. This expands the suite to include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection and a pre-collision warning system.

Equipment like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, road-sign assist, and even lane-departure alert with lane-centering technology is not standard overseas but New Zealand's specifications may differ.

Speaking of, we'll get the new IS by the end of the year. Price and more local details will be released closer to that time.