Which do you prefer and why ? Currently deciding between a 2016 IS 300 Luxury/Premium package AWD and a 2016 IS 300 AWD F Sport with the same mileage for the same price.
I'll be driving in snowy weather once in a while, if that makes a difference.

 

F Sport without a doubt

 

What's your reasoning?

 

For pure aesthetics. F sport looks way better. I would not have gotten a Lexus IS if I had to get a non f sport.

 

How is the performance of the 300 vs 300 f sport?

 

Steering wheel, wheels, cluster, grille. If you like the old man look, go for the Non-F. Otherwise get the F and don't look back

As far as performance, the brakes and suspension may be different on the F if im not mistaken. A negligible difference. First thing i'd do is get the tune done to bump up that power level.

 

Performance is the same.

You get suspension that automatically adjusts when in Sport+ mode with the F-Sport. Forgrt what it's called. And different wheels that look better imo on FS but same size and therefore performance. And different seats, and speedometer....probably missing something.

But its basically all looks. Imo the one area a non FS is lacking is the front grille alone. And the fender badges, idk why I feel like I'm missing those

You do get more options as you likely know on non FS, like heated steering wheel you'd probably appreciate.

 

Is heated steering wheel on all IS 300s (non F)?
Also, I heard Sport+ is only the 350, whereas the 300 has Sport which is different and doesn't affect suspension.

 

Geez you may be right about Sport+ I'm sorry, I'm not entirely familiar with all trims/models. Theres plentiful threads on the topic here or someone else will clear that up.

And no the heated steering wheel is part of a package. Weather package? Luxury Package? You'll have to look that up. I believe in Canada they were more standard but not the US.

 

OP - Others have already pointed out some of the visual differences (wheels, grill, seats, instrument cluster) so those are the major differences between the two. Either options are great but personally, I like the F sport treatment, and especially the seats.

 

F SPORT Package

$3,195 MSRP
Includes:
Aluminum Sport Pedals
Black Headliner
Wheels: 18" F SPORT Split 5-Spoke Alloy
Tires: 225/40R18 Front & 255/35R18 Rear Summer
Heated & Ventilated Front F SPORT Seats
F SPORT NuLuxe Seat Trim
Side & Rear F SPORT Badging
F SPORT Steering Wheel Badge
High-Friction Front Brake Pads
F SPORT Tuned Suspension
Intake Sound Generator
LFA Inspired TFT Instrumentation
Dark Gray Streamline Trim
Stainless Steel Scuff Plates
Low & High Beam Twin Projector LED Headlamps
Unique Front Fascia/Grille
Unique Rear Bumper

 

I think I'm mostly curious about the suspension differences.

 

Going over some hard bumps the F Sport
is definitely firmer. All depends on whats more important, ride or handleing.

I've owned a 2017 non fsport and now a 2020 fsport. I think the fsport has firmer suspension parts. The 2020 I currently own feels more "solid". The 2017 was a bit "softer"

 

honestly IMO. can't go wrong with F-Sport and the Performance and suspension is unnoticeable to a normal person

 

Oh well, to each, their own. That’s one of the things I disliked about the FS, and went with the non-F.