Op-Ed: 7 Things Lexus Should Do to PERFECT The IS 500!
To be fair, all of these things would (dramatically) raise the IS 500’s pricing. But, since it’s already so close to perfect, why not try a few more upgrades?
In a world shifting to smaller displacement engines with turbochargers, not to mention electrification and the cultural prevalence of SUVs, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance is nothing short of a unicorn. A small, sporty four-door sedan powered by a naturally aspirated, 472 horsepower 5.0L dual overhead cam V8. Are you kidding me??? Now, to be fair, this IS 500 isn’t as track-focused as M cars from BMW, V cars from Cadillac, or even F cars from Lexus.
But as we head into the 2024 model year, the IS 500 is now the last naturally aspirated V8 sedan being sold in the world.
Which makes it special even if it’s more street car than race car.
What do YOU think about the IS 500?
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1-of-150
Earlier this year, Lexus loaned us a 1-of-150 Special Appearance Package 2023 IS 500 in Molten Pearl. One of the single greatest metallic orange paint colors I’ve ever seen. The package also adds the black forged BBS wheels (from the IS 350 F Sport, funny enough) as well as an interior plaque. But otherwise, in terms of features, function, and performance, it’s just a normal IS 500 Premium. (For 2024, the Special Appearance Package will be returning with the color Blue Vector. )
Which is a pretty wonderful thing.
The IS 500 is comfortable and quiet when driven in Normal or Eco-driving modes. But when dropped into Sport or Sport+ and pushed hard, it roars and rushes and turns into something more like a Coyote-era Mustang or an E90 generation BMW. In a world where the GS is no longer in production, the IS 500 represents a chance for family-minded folks who want the performance of a sports car in a package that’s pretty darn practical (fuel economy notwithstanding).
The experience was so fun for me, personally, that I came ever-so-close to purchasing this 1-of-150 press loaner.
Alas, that didn’t quite work out, but the experience got me wondering what Lexus could do to improve upon the IS 500’s many strengths. In essence, what philosophies and technologies from the LC 500 and RC F could we use to PERFECT the IS 500?
Here are seven ideas.
1. Tires
The stock IS 500 tires are 235/40R19 (front) and 265/35R19 (rear) Bridgestone Potenza summer tires. And, for the most part, they get the job done. They hook up well. And they aren’t too loud. They’re not bad tires, by any means. (Thank god they aren’t Pirelli P Zeroes, for example.) But they also aren’t great tires.
When I went to Lexus Performance Driving School, Lexus brought over Michelin reps to talk about their amazing Pilot Sport 4S summer tires (which are available on the RC F and standard on the RC F Fuji/Track Editions). PS4S tires, as they’re known, are the industry’s apex summer performance tires for the way they blend acceleration, braking, lateral grip, wet surface performance, and longevity.
Driving on a fresh set is a noticeable upgrade that makes vehicles feel like they’ve gotten suspension, braking, and engine performance upgrades all in one. They’re nothing short of amazing and should be the OEM factory tires on any 5.0L-powered Lexus, as far as I’m concerned.
The great news is that, unlike most of the other ideas in this articles, is that current IS 500 owners can easily swap to Pilot Sport 4s (or even the Pilot Sport All Season 4) tires without having to wait for Lexus engineers to change the whole vehcie.
TLDR: the perfect IS 500 needs better factory tires.
2. Tunes
Much like the RC, the IS is one of the last Lexus models still rocking the older style infotainment system. Fortunately, IS 500 owners still have access to nice features like a touchscreen and (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, after experiencing Lexus Interface, it’s hard to go back. The older systems in the IS and RC are slower and a little more cluttered in their layout compared to the new system.
TLDR: the perfect IS 500 needs the new infotainment system much just like the 2024 LC 500.
3. Transmission
To be fair, the IS 500’s 8-speed automatic shifts quickly and crisply, especially from a dig, which allowed me to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. That’s faster than my lighter 2013 Mustang Boss 302 with better tires and over a second quicker than a 2021 Mustang GT Performance Package with lesser tires. That being said, the IS 500 lacks the intoxication down-shift rev-matching and the quicker paddle-shifting responsiveness from the LC 500’s brilliant 10-speed automatic.
Does the IS 500 need the same 10-speed for perfection? Or simply a more aggressive transmission tune on the 8-speed? I can’t quite say. But whatever the direction, the IS 500 often lacks the LC’s sense of playfulness, immersion, and manual control when it comes to shifting.
TLDR: the perfect IS 500 needs to shift more like the flagship grand tourer.
4. Suspension
Lexus engineers did a great job tuning the IS 500’s suspension overall for a mix of comfort and performance. It features two ride quality settings — Normal for more comfort, and Sport for more handling. But when slinging the IS 500 hard into corners, there’s a fair amount of body roll. I’d love to see Lexus engineers lower the car a few millimeters and then make the Sport mode slightly more aggressive in its firmness (or perhaps create an extra mode that’s more aggressive) to add a touch more sports car feeling, something that Toyota’s GR team perfected in the Supra. Lexus engineers could also create an even more comfortable mode for those who want a pure Lexus driving experience that’s softer than Normal.
TLDR: the perfect IS 500 needs more variance in its suspension modes, especially when it comes to aggressive driving.
5. Exhaust
Jumping between the LC 500 and the IS 500 / RC F is a bit of a letdown. And not just because the LC’s interior materials and craftsmanship are nicer than the IS. Most of it comes down to the way the transmission handles as well as the exhaust. Admittedly, this surprises many people. It’s the same engine, right? Why do they sound so different? Per Lexus —
The LC 500 features an exhaust gas control valve that controls the exhaust sound of the vehicle. It is installed before the main muffler to switch the exhaust route depending on driving conditions. This allows for a combination of throaty and emphasized exhaust during engine start up and high RPM, and quietness when cruising.
The RCF and IS 500 feature the same type of exhaust without the gas control valve. This allows for an exhaust note that is sporty, yet still comfortable on long drives.
In short, the LC sounds better because of its exhaust as a whole, and because of the way it rev-matches on downshifts. And, yes, I know the LC 500 is the expensive, unique flagship. But the IS 500 (and RC F) deserve better. They deserve these gas control valves and whatever else delivers the LC’s amazing tonal qualities.
TLDR: the perfect IS 500 needs the LC 500’s exhaust (or some sort of adjustable active valve system).
6. Brakes
Lexus has been very clear that the IS 500 isn’t a new IS F. True F models, like the GS F or RC F, include upgraded braking systems designed to survive the punishing heat cycles during track driving. The IS 500, to be fair, brakes well out of the box. But drive too hard for too long — on a track or even in the canyons — and some owners have complained about brake fade.
Adding better brakes would drive up the price. Especially since the IS 500 isn’t a true F model. But given the IS 500’s blistering acceleration and sporty handling, it feels like Lexus should, at the very least, offer a performance package with upgraded brakes (maybe as a combo with Pilot Sporrt 4S tires).
TLDR: the perfect IS 500 needs a performance brakes option that stay cool when driven to the extreme.
7. More Fun Colors That Are Not Limited Editions
This Molten Pearl IS 500 is nothing short of a stunner. And it’s a great reminder that Lexus has delivered dozens of banger metallics and pearls over the years. The only problem? They’re often tied to limited edition models that get marked up by greedy dealerships. In a world where we can perfect the IS 500, I’d love to see more color options become available to any buyer. Even if it costs extra, it would be great to show off how great and special the IS 500 already is… without having to win an allocation lottery.
TLDR: the perfect IS 500 should offer more interesting colors not tied to limited editions.
Images: Michael S. Palmer
