2022 Lexus IS 500 F-Sport Performance First-Look PREVIEW

By Michael S. Palmer - February 22, 2021

Lexus is stuffing its 472hp 5.0 V8 under the hood of an IS sedan… But, by calling it the Lexus IS 500 F-Sport Performance, does this mean a bigger, badder IS F is still on the horizon?

Driving around in the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport (full review HERE!), I loved the sedan’s looks, handling, and creature comforts… But it lacks power. So I wondered what that car would have been like with the 5.0L V8 Lexus currently has in the LC500 and RC F. Welp, we’re about to find out because Lexus just announced the IS 500 F-Sport Performance.

Exclusive to the North American market and due in dealerships this fall as a 2022 model year vehicle, let’s talk about the elephant in the garage… Aka, it’s NOT a new IS F. It’s actually the first in a new line of “F-Sport Performance” models.

Clunky monikers aside, I’m now dying to know if there’s a bigger, badder IS F coming down the line.

Regardless of its badge and name, this new IS 500 should have the bonafides to quickly become the best Lexus IS sedan in the company’s history. Seriously, with so many auto manufacturers signaling their shift to an all-electric future, it’s great to see Lexus announce another 5.0-powered sports car. Because this engine is just so GLORIOUS.

And why not go out with a bang while we still can?

Lexus IS 500 Features & Upgrades

For those less familiar with this dual overhead cam 5.0L V8, it pumps out 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,800 rpm. With a larger engine comes more weight, 143 pounds more than the IS 350 F-Sport, to be exact. But it’s not too bad; the car’s total curb weight remains under 3,900 pounds.

So several hundred pounds lighter than the surprisingly chunky LC 500.

Mated to the same eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission found in the IS 300 and IS 350 RWD, the IS 500 F-Sport Performance should run to sixty in a clean 4.5 seconds. (About 0.3 seconds slower than the RC F.) And with an RC F-inspired quad-tip exhaust, mashing the pedal should sound amazing.

The Dynamic Handling Package (DHP), which includes Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and a Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD) comes standard on the IS 500. As do bigger brakes. 14.0-inch two-piece aluminum front rotors and 12.7-inch rear rotors, to be more specific. And the exclusive 19-inch wheels are approximately 1-pound lighter per wheel in front and 2 pounds lighter per wheel in the rear.

In terms of styling, the IS 500 required a larger, more masculine hood. It’s about two inches taller than the IS 350 F-Sport’s bonnet. And you’ll notice lots of blacked-out trim pieces as well as a unique F-Sport badge.

Outside of the eight-speed auto (which I didn’t love on the IS 350 F-SPort), the only questionable choice that I see is Lexus sticking with Bridgestone performance tires. On the 350, I found them lacking on a cooler morning versus my go-to performance tire, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Hopefully, Lexus will make them optional, as they do on the RC F.

Pricing & Availability

The Lexus IS 500 F-Sport Performance will be available this fall at North American Lexus dealers. But as I write this, pricing has not been confirmed. However, if you look at the difference between the RC 350 F-Sport and the RC F, the F model carries a $16,000 premium. If this gap holds true, based on a $43,000 starting MSRP for the IS 350 F-Sport RWD, I think we should expect the IS 500 to start around $60,000 with options and features taking that number into the low to mid $70Ks.

What do YOU think, dear reader? Are you as excited about an IS 500 as me? Would you consider buying one? Head over HERE to the forums to let us know your reactions!