Other than the special edition runs, there's no new color changes for the regular 300 and 350. I don't think I've ever seen that happen before.

 

They did claim last year that Incognito was exclusive to the IS500 Launch Edition, so I guess they're trying to play fair by partly bringing it back. I guess next year it'll be available.

 

Possibly. I suppose the only people happy it's not widely available right now are the few who do have the launch edition.
With my lease ending soon, I would have gone for a regular IS350 in that shade, without any fancy packages.

 

I thought about trading in my 2021 Lexus IS for a newer model just before they phase out the naturally aspirated V6. I love this engine and wanted to future proof it. I couldn't care less about turbos.

Anyway, that might not be possible anymore because after building the 2023 IS, they changed the packages and got rid of the carbon fiber spoiler that was a part of the dynamic handling package! After the build, it managed to be cheaper than 2021 or 2022! I'm all for more money in my pocket but it seems they are cutting quality options in 2023. Bummer.

 

If that's the only deal-breaker for you, you might consider getting one aftermarket or just ordering the spoiler stand-alone. Compared to the cost of the whole car, the spoiler is peanuts. But honestly, I'm not convinced that, if you have the '21, there's much reason to upgrade.

 

That's interesting. When I price out the 2022 vs. the 2023, the latter comes out more expensive. I think Autoblog announced all trims went up a few hundred bucks. Are you sure you are pricing out the F-Sport model that has the F-Sport interior? There is now a base F-Sport w/o the sport interior, and that will end up costing less than last year's all inclusive F-Sport.

 

Honestly, I am building it to what I have on my car. The handling package and the black matte put together is cheaper than the dynamic handling package. That’s the biggest difference on my build vs 2023.

 

A fully optioned 2023 IS350 is about the same price as a 21-22 IS350 with DHP, which was also always fully optioned. $55k.



IMO you'd be foolish not to just spend the extra $6000 to get the IS500, however. The prestige and power difference is worth it in everyway.

 

My fully loaded 22 was $55,600 not including the port installed options of the all weather mats and the illuminated door sills which brought it up to $56,295. But for that $40 more I got the carbon fiber spoiler, ash trim, wallet card key. The spoiler alone is $1000. So the '22 is definitely a much better bang for your buck. With this change, no trim in the IS lineup offers something as simple as a wallet card key which is beyond stupid. And yes, I will agree that I should've spent the extra $6000 especially since these cars have a value of upwards of $75k now. At the same time, I was able to order exactly what I wanted, which is something I'd not be able to do with an IS500.

 

I think the value proposition still remains with lightly-optioned IS 350 models. Unless performance is super important, and you need the limited-slip diff, I don't think the DHP is a strict requirement for a good IS 350 buy. And if it is, yeah you may as well go all the way and get the V-8. However, I will say, I do like the idea of the IS 350 being a little more balanced for handling, so I could see it either way.

 

Forgot about these. Definitely worth it compared to 2023 then.

Purchasing a IS350 instead of a IS500 is also probably a lot less stressful experience. You can pull up to the dealership without hyperventilating.

 

It'll be nice to have the carbonfiber spoiler option for the 2023!

 

Why couldn’t Lexus have added some ambient lighting strips on the 2023 IS?

 

Because LED lighting is for little sissies.

 

^ poor response.
Generally, something like adding light strips is connected to an interior refresh. No refresh for this model year.