New 2026 Lexus IS 350: Design Update, Driver Focus, Safety Boost

Lexus is bringing the IS into 2026 with a cleaner, sharper look that doubles down on why people love this compact rear-drive sports sedan in the first place. The stance is wider and lower to the eye, the front end looks more planted, and the whole car carries itself with that confident “let’s go for a drive” energy. Inside, the driver’s space is tighter, tidier, and more purposeful, with a restyled instrument panel and center console that put the essentials exactly where your hands and eyes want them. It is the kind of cockpit that makes a commute feel like a plan rather than an obligation.

For 2026, the IS comes in a single variant, the IS 350, offered as F SPORT Design or F SPORT. Under the “refinement in performance and design” theme, Lexus focused on how the car talks to you on the road. That starts with the hardware: a 3.5-liter V6 with 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, driving the rear wheels through an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic, or all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic on the all-wheel-drive model. Lexus has not published 0-60 mph or EPA fuel economy yet, but the tuning work for this update is all about feel: more linear steering, crisper on-center response, and smoother transitions as you move from deceleration to cornering to acceleration. The result is a sedan that follows your inputs like a well-trained partner.

The exterior details back that up. A new front design emphasizes the low center of gravity and muscular track. Both F SPORT Design and F SPORT get newly styled 19-inch lightweight aluminum wheels. The F SPORT model can add a newly designed rear spoiler for improved aerodynamic stability and optional red brake calipers that visually underline its sharper character.

Color matters, and Lexus is clearly having fun here. The 2026 IS palette spans 7 choices: Ultra White, Iridium, Cloudburst Gray, Caviar, Infrared, Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0, and Wind. That last one is new, a hard-toned light gray with metallic highlights that looks quick even in the parking lot.

Open the door and the tech meets you where you are. Lexus Interface is now a 12.3-inch display within the driver’s natural line of sight, and the digital instrument cluster in front of the driver also measures 12.3 inches for easy-to-scan information at a glance. Materials get a special touch with newly developed “Forged Bamboo” ornamentation on the center console and start switch bezel. It uses natural bamboo fibers to create an “In-ei” shading effect that fits the car’s athletic energy. F SPORT models can be had in a bold interior color called Radiant Red, inspired by solar flares—perfect if you like your cabin to match the car’s intent.

Sound is handled by a standard Lexus Premium audio system with 10 speakers, or an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson setup that is tuned to feel immersive rather than just loud. Everyday convenience is covered with two high-output USB Type-C ports in front and two more for rear passengers, plus a thoughtfully placed wireless charging pad that uses the Gen5 Qi standard and fits modern large phones without fuss.

The dynamic updates go deeper than cosmetics. Engineers optimized Electric Power Steering and the suspension to create consistent, predictable feedback across different road surfaces. They also worked on how the steering and pedals “return” after your inputs, smoothing out transitions so the car flows with you rather than reacting at you. It is the small stuff that makes a big difference when you are stringing corners together or just aiming to decompress on the way home.

Every 2026 IS includes Lexus Safety System Plus 3.0. You get Automatic High Beams; a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and additional assists like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Left-Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection and Braking; Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control; Lane Tracing Assist; Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist; Road Sign Assist; and Proactive Driving Assist for gentle braking and distance support when conditions are met. It is the modern safety net you expect, executed with Lexus calm.

Final details like full specifications and pricing will land closer to the on-sale date in early 2026. If you are into that careful blend of responsive steering, quiet confidence, and a cabin that feels tailored to you, this IS reads like the most distilled version yet.