Before You Buy

Lexus IS: Buy Score, Reliability & Ownership Costs

Luxury Compact Car · Sedan

MSRP Range$46,795–$51,245
A gray 2026 Lexus IS sedan parked on a city street in soft evening light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Engine3.5L V6, 311 hp / 280 lb-ft
Transmission8-speed automatic (RWD) or 6-speed automatic (AWD)
Fuel Economy22 mpg combined
DrivetrainRear-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available

Our Verdict

Based on model-specific reliability data, ownership costs, and longevity signals.

Buy
82/100

Buy Score™

Pros

  • RepairPal ranks it 9th of 31 luxury midsize cars, with below-average repair costs
  • Lexus's broader reliability/longevity reputation backs up the model-specific data
  • Standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster for 2026
  • Naturally aspirated V6 avoids the added complexity of a turbocharger

Cons

  • iSeeCars shows steeper 5-year depreciation (~52%) than many buyers expect from a Lexus
  • 22 mpg combined trails most luxury-compact-sedan rivals with four-cylinder engines
  • Lineup simplified to just the V6 IS 350 for 2026 — no more turbo-4 IS 300 or V8 IS 500 for buyers wanting other options
  • 6-speed automatic on AWD models is dated next to rivals' 8-10-speed units

Can this car reach 300,000 miles?

Likely

RepairPal's model-specific IS 350 score (4.0/5.0) ranks 9th of 31 luxury midsize cars, backed by Toyota/Lexus's broader longevity reputation. For 2026 the lineup has been simplified to just the naturally aspirated V6 IS 350 — the turbo-4 IS 300 and V8 IS 500 have both been discontinued.

First-Time Buyer Friendly

60/100

Approachable overall, though a first-time buyer should budget a little extra for insurance or upkeep.

Reliability Timeline

What tends to need attention, and when — based on model-specific reliability data.

RoutineModerateMajor

30,000 miles

Oil changes, tire rotations

60,000 miles

Brake pads
Battery

100,000 miles

Spark plugs

150,000 miles

Suspension bushings

200,000+ miles

Commonly still running well with routine upkeep, per its above-average RepairPal ranking and Toyota/Lexus's longevity reputation

What It Actually Costs to Own

Repair costs are low for a luxury sedan, but iSeeCars shows steeper 5-year depreciation than the IS's reliability reputation might suggest — factor that into a long hold versus a lease.

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost$1,910
Estimated Annual Insurance$1,550
Estimated Annual Maintenance$480
Estimated Annual Repairs$543
Estimated Annual Registration$210
5-Year Depreciation~52% of purchase price

Full Specifications

Engine3.5L V6, 311 hp / 280 lb-ft
Transmission8-speed automatic (RWD) or 6-speed automatic (AWD)
Fuel Economy22 mpg combined
DrivetrainRear-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available
Warranty4 yr/50,000 mi basic, 6 yr/70,000 mi powertrain

Check for open recalls before you buy

We don't yet have a live recall feed wired up for the Lexus IS, so we won't guess at a number here. Before you buy any specific IS, run its VIN throughNHTSA's free recall lookup tool— it takes about 30 seconds and confirms whether that exact vehicle has any open, unrepaired safety recalls.

Similar Vehicles

A black Acura TLX luxury sedan parked on a city street in soft evening light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Buy
Luxury Midsize Car

2025 Acura TLX

$46,595–$59,245

85
A dark blue 2026 BMW 3 Series sedan parked on a city street in soft evening light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Consider
Luxury Compact Car

2026 BMW 3 Series

$48,000–$65,650

66
A gray Audi A4 sedan parked on a city street in soft evening light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Consider
Luxury Compact Car

2025 Audi A4

$43,295–$45,395

74

Sources: RepairPal model reliability score for the IS 350 (4.0/5.0), annual repair cost ($543), and 9th-of-31 luxury-midsize-car ranking: repairpal.com/reliability/lexus/is350 (live lookup, 2026); consistent with deep-research-report-car-buying-guide.md's entry-luxury section (existing doc). 2026 MSRP ($46,795-$51,245), lineup simplification to just the V6 IS 350, and engine/transmission specs: carbuzz.com and cars.com 2026 Lexus IS pricing coverage (live lookup, 2026). iSeeCars 5-year depreciation (~52% for the IS 350): clublexus.com iSeeCars-sourced depreciation coverage (live lookup, 2026).