2025 Lexus IS Launched In North America, Includes Stylish New Special Edition

The third-generation Lexus IS executive sports saloon lives on, albeit in markets like North America only where it recently underwent a minor revamp for its latest model year guise.

The Lexus IS executive sports saloon is celebrating its quarter-century (25 years) this year and, rightfully, parent firm Toyota has issued a round of updates for its third-generation C-Class and 3 Series rival under its latest model year guise in North America – arguably the luxury marque’s most critical market.

Headlining things here is a new Special Appearance Package available exclusively in the range-topping and V8-engined IS500 F Sport Performance. Just 180 units of this special will be built, and it appears none will be offered beyond the North American market, sadly.

Just 180 units of the refreshed Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance with the Special Appearance Package pictured will be offered in North America, all rolling on 19-inch BBS wheels and dressed in a striking Flare Yellow exterior hue.

Exclusive add-ons here include 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, striking Flare Yellow paintwork, Black NuLuxe-trimmed cabin with suede inserts and yellow stitching, colour-matched floor mats and key gloves, as well as a SmartAccess key card.

Mechanically, this special retains the IS 500 F Sport Performance variant’s signature 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 mill that outputs 472 HP and 535 NM to drive the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic. Altogether, 0-100 KM/H sprints take just 4.5 seconds as well.

It's worth reminding that the current 500-badged Lexus IS variants all employ the previous-gen IS F special's 2UR-GSE 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 mill rated at 472 HP and 535 NM.

Besides said V8 mill which, if you’re unaware, is the same 2UR-GSE unit that previously powered the 2007-2014 IS F performance special variant, current 500-badged variants of the Lexus IS also continue to ride on adaptive suspension featuring Yamaha performance rear dampers.

Changes in the other model variants appear limited but does see the IS 300 F Sport and IS 250 F Sport variants gain dark chrome window trims and side mirror caps. On board, both also see new powered steering adjustment and seat memory functions added as standard kit now.

Changes in other variants of the Lexus IS reportedly appear minimal.

Further down the order, the IS 300 F Sport Design and IS 350 F Sport Design variants now gain heated steering wheel added as a standard feature too. This, according to Lexus, was done following customer feedback it received.

Lastly, the base IS 350 F Sport variant can be optionally primed with new BBS wheels that also sport a new design. Beyond which, there aren’t any other changes to note in the North American-spec Lexus IS sport saloon.

Locally, the Lexus IS has been discontinued for sometime now. Presently, Lexus Malaysia (UMW Toyota Motor) only offers two traditional sedan or saloons in the form of mid-sized ES and top-rung LS luxury limousine.