If you’d like a midsize luxury sedan that’s engaging to drive, has AWD for snowy weather, spirited performance and renowned quality, check out the 2022 Lexus IS 350 F Sport.
Lexus’ IS comes in five flavors of IS 300 RWD with turbo 4-cylinder engine, IS 300 AWD w/V6, IS 350 F Sport RWD w/V6, IS 350 AWD Sport w/V6 and IS 500 with V8 engine. We were privileged to test the 2022 IS 350 F Sport AWD with V6 powertrain.
The F Sport badging features a host of visual and performance cues that set it apart such as larger 19-inch tires, Adaptive Variable Suspension, Dynamic handling package, enhanced exhaust, Active Sound Control and with the Dynamic Handling Package, it features added drive modes of Sport S and Sport Plus modes that change engine and transmission mapping for increased performance.
Aside from its sculpted, aerodynamic (0.29 Cd) styling with carbon fiber rear deck spoiler and a full-width taillight bar, IS 350’s interior is equally as sporty with supportive, heated/cooled NuLuxe front seats and a vertical stack that resembles the control panel in a Learjet.
A 10-inch touchscreen serves a host of features and functions such as climate control, rearview camera with overhead view plus a revolving view around the vehicle, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi connectivity, a weather report, voice command and more. Most functions are selected via the highly sensitive touch pad that appears in most new Lexus vehicles. For safety sake, it should be used while the car is stationary.
Next to the 6-speed automatic gear selector is the rotary drive mode switch for Eco, Normal/Custom, Sport, S, S-Plus modes. Below it is a separate switch for Snow mode that distributes appropriate torque to all four wheels.
Small HVAC switches on the vertical stack are easy to use without having to study the owner’s manual. Selections can also be displayed and made on the screen.
Instrumentation is condensed into a single large digital gauge that shows speed, tachometer rpm’s, gear position and when in Sport modes, it changes to a red color scheme. It also contains a driver information display.
IS 350s back seat is cushy soft for two adults but a high transaxle hump allows only a small youngster to sit in the middle. There is decent leg and head room however the rear doors could open a bit wider for easier ingress/egress.
Back in the trunk, that’s rated at 10.8 cubic feet, it measures 41 inches deep or large enough for two medium size roller luggage bags. Flip the rear seat backs and cargo loading depth expands to 68 inches.
Powered by the 3.5-liter V6 with 311-hp and 280 lb./ft of torque and coupled to the standard 6-speed automatic, acceleration is robust and linear in application with a Lexus rated 5.7 seconds for a 0-60 sprint. It moves the 3,880-pound curb weight with ease and garners EPA mileage estimates of 19 city, 26-highway mpg. If you crave more power, the IS 500 with V8 puts out an impressive 472-hp and 395 lb/ft of torque.
Driving wise, the IS 350 is fun as it can be tossed in the turns and it sticks like glue with no perceptible body lean. Steering is precise and it parks easily with its 35.41foot curb-curb turn circle. And it’s a typical Lexus quiet ride on staggered width 19-inch Bridgestone tires.
As for pricing, the IS 350 comes with a host of standard safety features such as Lexus’ Safety System Plus 2.5 Pre-Collision with pedestrian detection, all speed dynamic radar, cruise control lane tracing assist, blind spot monitoring w/rear cross traffic alert, Lexus Enform that’s compatible with smartphones and smart watches, plus many more.
Extra cost options include panoramic view monitor, intuitive parking assist w/auto braking and rear cross traffic braking ($1,365); F Sport handling package ($3,800); power rear sunshade ($210); navigation w/Mark Levinson audio ($2,750); triple beam LED headlamps ($1,250); power tilt/slide moonroof ($1,100) and delivery, ($1,075), took the base price of $45,050 to $56,600. This price is on par with the competition from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, however, not all offer an AWD option.
To its credit, the IS 350 earned top government 5-star safety ratings of five stars for an overall vehicle score; four for driver/passenger frontal crash; five for front/rear seat side crash; and five for rollover. All impressive scores for an impressive AWD, sporty luxury sedan.
