2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Premium

The 2023 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Premium is as good as it gets for a luxury sports sedan at a mid-grade price.

Units are limited, and made only for passionate customers who want to push the envelope on driving performance and exhilaration. As the halo model of the IS family, the IS 500 is the first model of the F SPORT Performance brand.

F must stand for fast, ferocious and fun!

Under the unique raised hood lies a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine generating 472 horsepower and 395-lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed sport direct shift automatic transmission channels that power to the rear wheels of this performance sedan along with a throaty quad exhaust system with dual stacked tail pipes that amplify the sound of the high-output engine to let passer’s by know you mean business.

And there’s something about spinning real wheels and the smell of rubber that harkens the mind back to a simpler time.

My tester came with an all-new “Special Appearance Package” that includes head-turning “Molten Pearl” exterior paint complemented by distinct 19-inch matte black BBS forged alloy wheels. The theme continues inside with F SPORT bolstered leather heated and ventilated front seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel and scuff plates.

Adding to the car’s curb appeal are muscular fenders, a wide and low stance, and sleek lines are also complemented with overtly aggressive sharpness carved into the side and shoulder character lines.

The IS 500 can seat up to five adults with a rear seat than is more than show. The trunk is generous, and extra deep, allowing for full-size golf bags to be stowed without having the take out the big stick. Even with the big engine and power, the IS 500 is rated at 25 miles per gallon down the highway by the EPA.

F SPORT adds a handling package for this model year, now offering an adaptive variable suspension, Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and drive mode select with sport S/S+ and custom modes. Let’s just say it glides in and out of corners at breakneck speed with grace and aplomb. In addition to the exceptional handling, grip and confidence, IS 500 delivers refined ride quality and quietness.

When it comes to creature comforts, the IS 500 does not disappoint. My favorites were the Mark Levinson surround sound premium audio system with 17 speakers and 1,800 watts, navigation system with 10.3-inch touchscreen, power tilt-and-slide moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and rain-sensing wipers that got a workout.

The 2023 IS comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which brings a suite of key active safety features to the vehicle. A pre-collision system, which includes frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and bicyclist detection are the featured technology.

Additional features include intelligent high beams, which detects preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switches between high beam and low beam headlights. Road sign assist is designed to acquire certain road sign information using a camera and navigation maps when data is available and displays them on the multi-information display, cruise control with lane tracing assist, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, backup camera, intuitive parking assist with auto braking, and a panoramic view monitor.

Base Price: $62,770

Price As Driven: $65,815

Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.