The 2024 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Review

It’s been a while since we last tried the Lexus IS 500 F-Sport. And it has been awhile since the IS-F Sport has been refreshed. But with America’s long-standing love affair with SUVs showing no sign of abatement, we relish any opportunity to get behind the wheel of a well-sorted sport sedan instead. That’s why the gear heads at Napleton News dig any chance to get our see-dan on. Hop in the seat, buckle up and let’s go!

Is the 2024 F Sport still good?

Let’s check. What really interests us is what’s under the longish hood. The standard IS model receives a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in a rear-wheel drive configuration. It’s good for 241-horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Those wanting all-wheel drive models would get the 3.5-liter 311-hp V6 with six-speed automatic transmission.

The IS F Sport trim level is available throughout the lineup regardless of engine choice. But we were sampling the uber-fun IS 500 F Sport with a 5.0-liter 472-horsepower / 395 lb-ft V8. All engines, except for the 3.5-liter V6 are matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

How does the Lexus IS 500 F Sport look?

In the grand scheme of things, the 2024 Lexus IS 500 F Sport is a bit long in the tooth as far as its competition is concerned. Remember, this third-gen IS is ten years old and most definitely due for an update. IS models received a facelift in 2021. Still, it follows the same general pattern for a Grand Touring sport sedan with a long hood and a short tail section. With the F Sport models, there are flared fenders, a tail lip spoiler, F Sport badging, a rear diffuser and twin dual exhausts. Under the skin are suspension bits, performance brakes and more that help make the IS 500 F Sport a true GT sports sedan.

What about the IS F interior?

The seats work amazingly well! Let’s start with that. And they are both heated and ventilated to keep you warm or cool. Of course, that depends where you may find yourself behind the wheels. “Full-sized” passengers will find backseat accommodations a bit tight.

The distracting Lexus touchpad from 2014 draws your eyes to the touchscreen and away from the road. It was dangerous when introduced and is still dangerous today. If they insist on having a controller of sorts, then make it operate like those found in Mazda cars that continue to move in order to the next icon on the screen. Also, give us a place to spot our phone that won’t have it sliding off the console and onto the floor.

Behind the wheel of the IS 500 F Sport

The Lexus IS 500 F Sport is exciting, but it’s no M-series BMW or AMG Mercedes car. And that reveals its shortcomings with little effort. It currently suffers from a platform that has eeked out every bit of performance it has left in what is admittedly an aging platform. And that’s really unfortunate. Lexus has turned all its attention to its SUV lineup and has ignored its coupes and sedans.

As we mentioned before, we don’t like hate the touch pad on the center console. It’s just too risky to remove your eyes from the road. It’s about time that Lexus figured a way to find another input device.

Not all was bad with the IS 500 F Sport. The 5.0-liter V8 is a potent powerplant that uses a naturally-aspirated injection system. Its 472 horsepower is eager to be unleashed and does a great job getting us up to speed. The sound track from the exhaust finishers is not as potent as we would like. It sounds as though the engine gurgle is coming from the Mark Levinson audio system speakers rather than the vehicle’s exhaust manifold.

This aging platform works against this vehicle’s good efforts. For that reason, we hope Lexus can get their focus back and relentlessly pursue perfection once more.

Lexus IS 500 F Sport Specifications