Lexus is doing exceptionally well in the luxury market at the moment. Not only is it rated as the brand with the fewest problems per 100 vehicles, according to the U.S. Vehicle Dependability Survey, but it is also seeing rising sales in segments that have not been doing as well lately.
Every brand has a plethora of SUVs today, and Lexus makes some of the best of them, but its latest sales report brings a surprise to many, and shows that there could be movement in the market.
Despite there being a surprise sales winner in the Lexus camp at the moment, like most other major brands that have a stake in the U.S. auto market, Lexus turns out a lot of SUVs. SUVs are the new everyday vehicle and have overtaken everything from the hatchback to the sedan in terms of sales.
The 2026 Lexus SUV lineup consists of the UX, the NX, the RZ, the RX, the TX, the GX, and the LX. The 2026 Lexus sedan and coupe lineup consists of the IS, the ES, the LS, and the final model year of the legendary LC.
RX, NX, TX, And GX Account For Most Lexus Sales
Front 3/4 action shot of a blue 2026 Lexus RX driving on roadLexus
Front 3/4 shot of 2026 Lexus GX 500 Overtrail parked off-roadLexus
According to the September 2026 Toyota/Lexus sales report, the RX has sold 89,824 models, calendar year-to-date; the NX, 57,256; the TX, 42,674; and the GX, 23,205. Even the flagship LX has sold 5,550 models calendar year-to-date, and this year’s model has a base price of $108,550.
Lexus SUV Sales Rose 11.2% In September
Front action shot of 2026 Lexus NX driving on roadLexus
In total, Lexus reports that it has sold a total of 228,665 SUVs from this time in 2025 to now. That makes for a 2.5 percent increase in calendar-to-date sales.
Lexus also said that SUV sales in 2026 were up from this time last year. September 2025 saw 21,961 sales; September 2026 saw 24,426 sales. This makes for an increase of 11.2 percent in sales volume, so it is clear Lexus’ SUV catalog is still a very popular one.
The Lexus IS Is Quietly Having A Huge Year
Front 3/4 shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parkedLexus
This is why it is surprising to find that the 2026 Lexus IS, a luxury sedan, has grown in number of models sold more than most other Lexus models in the past year.
There is one exception, the RZ, which has seen a yearly sales increase of 91.3 percent, from 5,339 sold up to September 2025 to 10,215 sold so far in 2026. However, the RZ is a reasonably priced, mid-sized crossover, so it is very much within where the market is at the moment.
IS Sales Jumped 55.8% In September
Front shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parkedLexus
In September 2025, Lexus reported 1,429 IS sales. Its latest sales report says that there was a total of 2,227 sold in September 2026, making for a 55.8 percent rise in sales compared to this time last year. This also makes for a 49.6 percent rise in the daily selling rate compared to this time last year.
Year-To-Date Sales Are Up 51.7%
2026 Lexus IS F Sport Red Brake CalipersLexus
What is also interesting to see is that calendar year-to-date sales are also up, by a long way. Bear in mind that this is a luxury sedan, and not something more utility-based, like an SUV or crossover.
Lexus says IS sales by this time in September last year were 14,668. Calendar year-to-date this year, Lexus said they sold 22,257 IS models. That makes for an increase in sales volume of 51.7 percent.
The IS Hasn’t Changed Much — And That Might Be Exactly Why It’s Selling
Front 3/4 view of a blue 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport parkedDaud Gonzalez | TopSpeed
As it stands, this doesn’t look like a flash in the pan for Lexus. The new IS is available in two main trims: the F SPORT Design ($46,895) and the F SPORT ($49,345), both of which are available with AWD for an extra $2,000. Prices hovering around $50,000 aren’t generally considered affordable, but this is a Lexus luxury sports sedan we are talking about, and you get a lot for your money.
Close-up shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT rearLexus
According to J.D. Power, the new IS is rated the best compact luxury car in 2026, with an overall rating of 86 out of 100 and a reliability rating of 91 out of 100. Owners who left a review on Kelley Blue Book seem to agree as well, with an 83 percent recommendation rate out of 50 reviewers, an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5, and ratings of 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.
A Naturally Aspirated V6, Real Brakes, And No CVT: The IS Plays It Straight
Close-up shot of a 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport engine bayDaud Gonzalez | TopSpeed
What is also hard to ignore in a market awash with SUVs is a proper luxury sport sedan, which the Lexus IS is. Under the hood, you get a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6 good for 311 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm.
Rest-to-60 times are more than respectable at 5.6 seconds; plus, you get an eight-speed auto box in RWD models and a six-speed box in AWD models, not a CVT. The F SPORT is available with Adaptive Variable Suspension, which tightens up when you want to go quickly and eases off when you are driving for comfort, while 13.1-inch ventilated front discs and 11.7-inch rear discs handle stopping power.
Shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT interior showing front cabinLexus
Both models are equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that handles infotainment and connectivity; a 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System is standard fare but can be upgraded to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson one; and dual-zone climate control and power-adjustable front seats are included.
The F SPORT Design is kitted out with NuLuxe synthetic leather, heated front seats, and aluminum sport pedals. The F SPORT gets padded, heated, and ventilated front sports seats, an F SPORT power-adjustable heated steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, and a choice of interior trim colors like Radiant Red and Palomino.
Front shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parked in studioLexus
There is also a limited-run F SPORT Special Appearance Package, which will see only 350 models made. This will cost you a minimum of $61,485, but you do get black perforated NuLuxe seats, exclusive contrast stitching, Ultrasuede inserts, a power rear sunshade, the Mark Levinson audio rig, and satin chrome trim for the dash, steering wheel, door panels and center console.
IS Sales Are Growing While Other Lexus Sedans Struggle
Profile shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parkedLexus
The Lexus IS isn’t just growing in sales compared to Lexus SUVs; it is also outperforming Lexus sedans. This year is the final model year of the Lexus LS, with just 500 LS Heritage Edition models being made, so we aren’t surprised to see that sales have dropped from 894 models this time last year to just 150 calendar year-to-date.
However, the Lexus ES is still around, but that has seen a dramatic drop in sales compared to last year. Lexus reports a 65.4 percent drop in sales, calendar year to date, compared to this time in 2025, from 29,788 down to 10,333. A reason for this could well be the dropping of the two gas engine options in favor of a hybrid powertrain and a fully-electric one.
Front 3/4 shot of 2026 Lexus ES 350h parkedLexus
The 2026 Lexus ES is in a bit of a transition period compared to the IS, which is still a gas-engined sports sedan. With a massive powertrain change generally comes some hesitation as people gauge whether the new powertrains are up to the task, and we’d suggest that is what is happening here.
What The Lexus IS Surge Could Mean For The Luxury Market
The bigger point to all of this is that Lexus may have stumbled onto something useful. The IS does not try to reinvent the sedan or bolt on crossover traits. It is simply a familiar luxury sports sedan that drives well and looks the part, which could be why a lot more people are now buying one as the rest of the market moves elsewhere.
There is more choice than ever for EVs, hybrids, and SUVs today, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants one. The IS still offers a relatively straightforward alternative for those of us who want a gas-powered machine without the hassle of extra systems, but with some flair and nice touches in the cabin.
Front shot of 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT parkedLexus
We won’t presume that just because the IS is doing so well this year, the likes of BMW and Mercedes will ditch their plans and go back to a simpler gas engine, or that Lexus is going to bring back the IS 500, but it does show that Lexus can still make something that may seem “out of date” to the modern market and pull it off.
The luxury car market is moving toward bigger screens, more software, fewer hardware components, and increasingly complicated vehicles. The new Lexus IS is a reminder that none of it is necessary for some drivers. It still looks right, feels mechanical, and puts emphasis on driving in style, and it is likely doing well in a modern market obsessed with what is coming next because it knows when to leave things alone.
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