2021 Lexus IS Is More Than the Sum of Its Parts

Skin Deep

Lexus just pulled the covers off its newly revised 2021 IS sedan, and it's certainly a sharp looking machine. What it isn't, of course, is truly revolutionary or brand new in virtually any way. But for whatever reason, many have expressed disappointment that the IS isn't totally new or game-changing, even though we knew ahead of time that this was simply going to be a refresh. And when you take a deep dive into everything that's new, you quickly realize there's much more to the new IS than its slightly updated styling.

Photos: Lexus 

Keep It Fresh

To us at least, the exterior of the new IS is quite attractive. Sure, it may not be the radically new skin many had hoped for, but that's because this is, well, a refresh. Not a completely new vehicle at all. A new IS is due in a few years, and it will likely ride on an entirely new architecture. For now, Lexus merely wanted to keep the IS fresh and give it some exciting new driving characteristics to appeal to the drivers in all of us.

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 IS right here in the forum.

Stiffen Up

And that's the meat and potatoes that make this revised model so exciting. Lexus engineers went to town underneath the IS and its restyled exterior, stiffening the chassis to reduce vibrations and flex, as well as adding reinforcements to the radiator side supports and C-pillars. They also added additional welds to the front side member supports for good measure.

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 IS right here in the forum.

Add Lightness

And then there's the suspension, which received a complete overhaul. That includes coil springs that are 20% lighter than the outgoing pieces, 18% lighter aluminum control arms, and 17% lighter anti-roll bars. Even the new wheel bolts, which replace the traditional lug nuts and wheel studs, save 2.2 pounds in total yet are stronger. Even better, they're an idea taken directly from the LFA.

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 IS right here in the forum.

Specially Tuned

Lexus has also fitted the new IS with swing-valve shock absorbers, which feature a second valve tuned especially for smaller movements, which allows the primary valves to be tuned for larger movements while retaining ride quality. And in addition to standard 18 and 19" wheels, F Sport buyers can opt for a set of lightweight BBS 19" wheels, too.

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 IS right here in the forum.

Extra Kit

Then there's the newly optional Dynamic Handling Package, which adds a Torsen limited-slip differential to rear-drive IS 350 F Sport in addition to the aforementioned lightweight wheels and active shocks. There are also two extra drive modes: Sport S+ and Custom. Lexus developed the entire package at its Shimoyama R&D facility in the mountains outside Toyota City, which is otherwise known as "Japan's Nurburgring."

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 IS right here in the forum.

Driver's Machine

Lexus put a tremendous amount of time and effort into making the new IS a true driver's machine, even using it as a testbed to develop the first "Lexus Driving Signature" that will ultimately land in all future models from the automaker. So who cares if the 2021 IS didn't attempt to reset the styling bar? Once you get it out on a curvy mountain road, you won't care about such trivial little things, anyway.

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 IS right here in the forum.

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