The Lexus Sports Sedan Quietly Making A Comeback

10 minutes reading

Sunday, 9 Aug 2026 19:00 0 7 autotech

Like most brands, Lexus has recently been putting a lot of its resources into hybrid powertrains and SUVs. Models like the RX are continuing to sell tens of thousands of units a year; the GX makes for a fantastic luxury SUV that can tackle the off-road life, new and used; and the compact NX balances utility, poshness, and city-friendly life.

The Sedan Isn’t Dead, And Luxury Buyers Are Proving It

Front 3/4 shot of 2026 BMW M340i parked

BMW

While SUVs and pickup trucks still hold the majority of sales in the U.S., the humble sedan market is making a comeback. The BMW 3 Series may well be one of the most celebrated luxury sports sedans ever created. Despite BMW selling nearly 389,000 SUVs in the U.S. in 2025, and circa 187,000 SUV models this year already, sales have jumped quite significantly for the 3 Series.

A Nearly-Forgotten Segment Is Showing Signs Of Life As Buyers Shift Back

A front action shot of a blue 2026 Hyundai Elantra N driving around a track

The sports sedan might have been pushed into the shadows, but it never truly disappeared. Marques are quietly proving there is still an appetite for four-door performance cars that deliver fun without the bulk of an SUV. Hyundai continues to keep the market alive with the 2026 Elantra N, which comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-four good for 276 horsepower, a quick-shifting DCT, and track-focused hardware like adaptive suspension and a limited-slip differential.

In the more upscale segment, models like the new BMW M340i keep proving the formula still works by blending everyday practicality with a turbo-six and near sports-car levels of performance. Even the new CT4-V continues the American approach, offering rear-wheel drive and a punchy turbocharged engine. It is clear that some buyers still want some drama, not just another high-riding family box.

Lexus Has A Surprise Hit Hiding In Plain Sight

Front shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parked

Since 2001, the Lexus IS has been a fixture. As Lexus’ compact luxury sedan, it has undergone several redesigns and significant changes over the last 25 years, but it is still proving to be a go-to choice for many who want a sporty look, a plush cabin, genuine performance credentials, Japanese-grade reliability, and real comfort.

The 2026 Lexus IS is available in six grades: the 350 F SPORT Design, the 350 F SPORT Design AWD, the 350 F SPORT, the 350 F SPORT AWD, the 350 F SPORT Special Appearance Package, and the 350 F SPORT Special Appearance Package AWD. The trims have the following starting prices without extras and destination fees:

350 F SPORT Design: $46,895
350 F SPORT Design AWD: $48,895
350 F SPORT: $49,345
350 F SPORT AWD: $51,345
350 F SPORT Special Appearance Package: $61,485
350 F SPORT Special Appearance Package AWD: $63,095

The IS Is Exploding With A Nearly 95 Percent July Sales Jump

Rear shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parked in desert

According to Toyota’s and Lexus’ latest sales report, 1,519 Lexus IS models were sold in the U.S. in July 2025. In July 2026, Toyota/Lexus reported 2,959 Lexus IS models sold. This makes for a 94.8 percent sales increase compared to this time last year.

Lexus’ other luxury sedan (now that the LS has been discontinued), the ES, reportedly has seen just 377 models sold in July 2026, down from 3,502 in July 2025, or a decrease of 89.2 percent.

A Near-50 percent Year-To-Date Surge Shows This Revival Has Legs

Close-up shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT front end

Year-to-date sales also look good for the Lexus IS. According to the same report, there were 11,377 IS models sold up to July 2025; sales to date in 2026 equal 17,030 models sold. This makes for a 49.7 percent increase in sales to date.

To put that into perspective, in terms of sales up to July 2025 and sales up to July 2026 compared, the Lexus ES saw a decrease in sales of 81.2 percent, the UX only saw a 4.6 percent growth in sales, the NX saw a decrease of 17.5 percent, the GX saw a 20.2 percent decrease in sales, the RX saw a slight increase of 13.4 percent in sales, and the LX saw a 3.6 percent increase. Only the Lexus RX has seen a bigger increase than the IS up to July 2026 compared to July 2025, with an 89.8 percent increase.

The Lexus IS Comeback Could Rewrite The Future Of Sports Sedans

Front 3/4 shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parked

The Lexus IS is winning on a platform that’s over a decade old, without turbos, without electrification, and without reinvention — which raises an uncomfortable question for every brand that killed its sedan lineup. SUVs have been the leaders in sales for a long time, but is it time for the tables to turn?

The market is now obsessed with smaller turbocharged engines for instant torque, hybrid powertrains for better fuel efficiency, über amounts of tech, and vehicles that are easy to drive. However, the new Lexus IS approaches all of this differently.

This Aging Performance Sedan Is Winning Against Newer Rivals

Close-up shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT rear

Firstly, the 2026 IS is still equipped with a naturally aspirated engine. To be precise, it is a 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6 good for 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. There are two transmission options: rear-wheel drive models get an eight-speed Sport Direct-Shift automatic, while AWD models get a six-speed auto transmission with flappy paddles. Previously, we could get the IS with a 5.0-liter V8 as the IS 500, which is sadly missed, but at least we still get a naturally aspirated V in a sedan.

Secondly, the Lexus IS has been using the same platform for over a decade now, and in typical Lexus fashion, they have resisted the temptation to throw everything out and start again. Structural reinforcements, revised suspension tuning, and a stiffer chassis have gradually sharpened it without sacrificing any luxury feel.

This kind of approach gives us something many newer rivals struggle with: character. While rivals seem to be chasing big screens, electrified powertrains, and higher curb weights, the IS remains comparatively analog. The steering is direct, the naturally aspirated V6 delivers its power with a linear urgency up to its 6,000-rpm peak output and 4,800-rpm torque peak that is becoming rare, and the optional RWD layout still rewards drivers who take the long way home.

Owners who have left a review on Kelley Blue Book rate the new Lexus IS 4.5 out of 5, which includes 4.4 out of 5 for value and quality, 4.5 out of 5 for performance, reliability, and comfort, and 4.6 out of 5 for styling. Out of the 50 current reviewers (at time of writing), 83 percent said they’d recommend buying one.

How This Unexpected Success Could Keep The Sedan Alive

Front shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parked in studio

The IS is by no means the cheapest sports sedan on sale in 2026, yet it is still selling exceptionally well. It is proof that there is still room for a sports sedan that prioritizes the fundamentals over headline-grabbing tech. While many sports sedan rivals chase huge horsepower figures, Lexus has quietly continued refining a package that drivers want.

The IS still rides on a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear setup, so you get precise wheel control and predictable handling rather than outright comfort. Over the years, Lexus added revised bushings, retuned the dampers, improved steering response, and, in turn, created a sedan that feels far more polished today than when this generation hit the road in 2014.

Rear 3/4 shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 in gray

At the base level, you still get the V6 and a plush ride, but it is the IS 350 F SPORT that offers more. Beyond the V6, you also get Adaptive Variable Suspension, larger brakes, unique 19-inch wheels, performance dampers, and on RWD models, a Torsen limited-slip differential.

None of these options are added to make the IS look better on the spec sheet, but combined with the rest of the package, they give you genuine engagement in a market that has shifted toward nothing but comfort and subdued road manners.

Why The Lexus IS Deserves A Spot On Your 2026 Luxury Sedan Shortlist

We wouldn’t suggest considering a new Lexus IS 350 for its sprint times; it reaches 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Models like the new M340i can hit 60 mph in as little as 4.1 seconds. We also wouldn’t suggest considering one if you are looking to brag about horsepower and torque outputs; there are far more powerful sports sedans on the market this year.

We do suggest considering one if you are looking for a sports sedan that you plan to keep for a long time and enjoy as a fine blend of everyday usability and some old-school performance character on modern roads. iSeeCars rates the IS 350 8.9 out of 10 for reliability, 8.4 out of 10 overall, and 8.5 out of 10 for retained value.

Shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT interior showing front cabin

Shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT rear seats

iSeeCars also says the IS 350 has an average lifespan of 180,628 miles and 16.8 years, with a 38.7 percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles. For a luxury sedan that gives you that kind of confidence, plus NuLuxe or available leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multiple USB-C ports, available wireless charging, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio rig, all the understated luxury that Lexus offers, and a panoramic view monitor, it is hard to ask for more.

The new Lexus IS 350 is unlikely to be considered the best new sports sedan on sale; it won’t outrun the 3 Series or out-handle the CT4-V Blackwing, or out-tech some of the latest German sports sedans. What it does prove, though, is that there are still many buyers who want a marque that offers a clear design philosophy.

Front 3/4 shot of red 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport parked

At a time when so many performance sedans are becoming smaller-displacement, electrified, and increasingly digital, the IS continues to fly the flag for naturally aspirated engines, optional rear-wheel-drive dynamics, and incremental engineering changes rather than full-blown reinvention. If these kinds of sales continue, it could encourage other brands to think twice before abandoning the segment altogether.

We don’t expect many marques to revert to using V8s or abandon hybrid powertrains (Lexus themselves certainly won’t), but perhaps brands will start to realize that not all drivers want the next best thing, just something that is possibly the last of the good things.