Rank
Pros
Cons
What's New for 2025?
The IS 500 F Sport gets standard power-folding mirrors, while the F Sport Premium is eligible for a limited-edition appearance package (150 units) that includes yellow paint, 19-inch BBS wheels and a credit card-sized key card that fits in your wallet.
2025 IS Selector
2025 Lexus IS 500
FAST FACTS
"We would be sorely tempted by the IS 500 if we were shopping in this segment. For roughly the same starting price as the admittedly superb BMW M340i, you can have a Lexus IS with a 472-horsepower V8. Is the Lexus V8 better than the BMW six? Certainly not in terms of fuel economy. But the way the IS 500 pins you back in your seat with a baritone jungle roar is a total rush for anyone who loves to drive. We reckon this model will be a collector's item someday, too. It's one of our favorite cars on sale today, notwithstanding the fact that the current IS debuted waayyy back in 2014."—Ranked #2 out of 6 Compact Performance Sedans
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. There's only one standalone version of the 2025 Lexus IS 500, and here it is, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
The IS 500 is a nearly perfect hot-rod for those who prefer to fly under the radar. Like every IS, of course, the 500 has rakish styling, but it doesn't stand out from lesser IS models — the only thing different about it dimensionally is that it's slightly longer. Under the hood, however, there's a naturally aspirated V8 that sounds fantastic and goes like the proverbial stink.
The 2025 IS 500 is offered in just one mechanical configuration. Hit the link or button to read our editorial summary and see detailed specs.
| Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Lexus IS 500 (5.0 8-Speed Automatic) | $59,170 | Gas | 20 | 472 hp | 395 lb-ft |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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