- Long-tenured luxury compact still offers style and technology
- Pricing starts at $41,830, including destination fees | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Lexus IS models for sale near you
The luxury compact car segment is hotly contested, and the 2025 Lexus IS still garners attention despite not seeing a major update in several years.
Lexus keeps tweaking the IS, adding additional standard equipment for 2025, including a power-adjustable steering column and memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and side mirrors. It also revamps the IS 500 F Sport variant with a limited edition Special Appearance package with black simulated leather with suede inserts and yellow contrast stitching. It’s limited to 180 vehicles.
The IS spreads seven variations across the 300, 350, and 500 models. Its top rivals include the Acura TLX, Genesis G70, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Let’s take a look at what the Lexus IS offers inside.
Passenger Room and Comfort
It’s reasonable to expect the IS, being a luxury car, to be comfortable and opulent. In this case, it’s a safe assumption. Starting with the front seats, there are 8-way power-adjustable chairs for the driver and front passenger. With the Comfort or Premium packages, those seats are heated and ventilated as well. A 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support is available in some of the higher trims.
In the second row, it gets a bit less exciting. There is just 32.2 inches of leg room for back seat riders, a couple of inches less than the BMW 3 Series and Genesis G70. While the space might be cramped, the center armrest (with two cup holders) sheds any pretense of shuttling five people around.
Features and Tech
There’s plenty to like about the tech available in the IS, although our reviewer suggested it lagged its rivals. That’s due to small differences, such as the standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen — although a 10.3-inch model is available — both are small compared to their competition.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated, and so is Amazon Alexa compatibility. However, a wireless smartphone-charging pad doesn’t exist in the 2025 Lexus IS. Not all is lost; there are two USB ports into which you can plug any of the accessory Lexus Quick Charge Cables. A 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system is available, and it delivers clear, powerful performance.
If you’re looking on the safe side, a panoramic view monitor can be added as part of a larger bundle with parking sensors plus emergency rear braking. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 comes standard with the pre-collision system featuring frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and bicyclist detection, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, and more, which add to the safety package.
Materials and Design
The IS interior features standard NuLuxe-trimmed seats. The simulated leather looks good and is soft to the touch. If you add the F Sport package, your interior can be had in Black, Circuit Red, and White with Satin trim. The cabin features plenty of top-flight materials, such as black open-pore wood.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
The available space in the trunk is a bit underwhelming. It’s just 10.8 cubic feet of space, which falls short of much of the competition, save the Genesis G70 and its 10.5 cubic feet. For example, the BMW 3 Series offers 17 cubic feet. That said, if you’re meeting friends for golf or picking up groceries, you will be fine. There are a few small spaces inside the vehicle to store items like keys, a wallet, or a smartphone (since there’s no designated charging space).
Build and price your version of the 2025 Lexus IS to see this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, or check out Lexus IS models for sale near you.