Has Lexus Gone Crazy? A 5.0L V8 In A Compact Sedan? 2022 Lexus IS 500 

This car is truly something special and I'm glad Lexus made it.

I would happily pay the extra money to have the vehicle last 3 times as long as everything esle in this class. I would imagine this will retain a much higher percentage of its value over time.

I love how Alex keeps stuffing himself in trunks in increasingly more awkward ways all while never missing a beat with his review.

The IS500 starts at $56,000 Alex... at least I think so Edit, yes it’s $56,500. Plus shipping it’s $57,575 according to Car And Driver. Yes, that’s at least $1,700 more than most competitors, but damn, you gotta be crazy to not eat that cost. The car will undoubtedly hold its value more than all of its competitors, and has the most character. The thought of someone straight piping this car sends chills down my spine.

The best review, comparison, analysis that I ever saw. This person did a way better job then the other 3 professional reviewers; also, definitely much intellectual than many other RU-vidrs.

Alex, another great review! Thank you! But.. it doesnt start at $61K; that's for the Premium trim, not the base which is at $57,500 at base with destination...

I will say this about the IS. We have a 2010 IS 250 and it still going strong at 160k miles, it did have issues with a fuel sensor and it cost us about 1k to replace it, but that’s been it so far.

"no more boring cars!" - Akio Toyoda

The real question is how does Mr. Alex talk nonstop while driving crazy on those curvy mountain roads!!

From what I understood there’s a base model version of this car that starts at $56k and there’s the premium package which is what Alex tested out at $62k and the Launch edition at $67k

Alex, you can turn the ASC off. If you turn the dial all the way down, it'll stop, but if you keep pushing it will "click" into an off position. Took me a few weeks to realize that on my IS 350. Also, with respect to the cabin noise, the IS 350 F Sport and IS 500 have the same summer tires. Not sure what's different with regards to noise. Finally, with the pricing... The "base" IS 500 is actually $56,500.

Well, knowing that Alex is always displaying a song title that relates to the car he’s reviewing, no it’s never too late for a 5.0 V8 in a compact sedan.

Such a fantastic, passionate Shogun Warrior of a sports sedan. Takes balls to make this today, and I thank Lexus for doing so. ;)

This is an actual revue, unlike the Motor Trend "revue" that I watched previously! Thank you Alex...

And here come the dealer markups...

i'm so happy that toyota / lexus has the spare cash lying around to pursue these types of things...

If you are willing to spend 61k and change for the shake of a naturally aspirated old fashioned V8 fuel economy is not a priority. Lexus has a very strong hand in the automotive poker game with this one.

Just got one of these. Great review but ASC is not fake engine noise. It lets you tune the engine noise in the cabins. Who needs fake engine noise in a v8 lol

I think this is one of my favorite currently outdated cars

Sofyan at Redline Reviews says there is a IS500 starting at $56500 The Premium Package models are in the $62k range

Hard to believe its been 11 years since Lexus debuted that instrument cluster.

Thanks Alex!! Just watched this review again, think I have to buy one! V8 !! Japanese V8, and not going to the dealer for stupid check engine errors and German car dealership bills, is priceless

The Mark Levinson 17speaker system is an option on the IS-500, not a standard because I have seen one without it. Please note that.

Amazing job on this review. Alex and Savagegeese are the best by far.

I'll take that spare tire any day.

V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 - All the way. Love the 5.7L V8 in my Land Cruiser.

Simply best sedan in the world. Great job Lexus.

The Lexus steering wheel has got to be my favorite out of all the new cars.

That's what I said when I got my Porsche 928S with a V8 engine back in 1986.

V8 and rear drive is very appealing.

When it comes to the BMW and the Benz, Adding the same level of features will bring it past $65,000. I think this is priced just about right. Plus you’ll make up the difference in less maintenance costs

I looked at the used market for these, and they've only depreciated by about $5k since new... I just bought a new one. They are so good! These things are going to hold their value so well in the coming years.

When Lexus release a new car, pay attention people especially if you are interested in a reliable car that you can buy now and your children can inherit it after you pass on. I drive a 2014 ES300H with 360,000 miles plus with no single issue and still drives like brand new

This is tried, true and is most likely build to last. Every single M40i and C43 that makes it to the dealer lot will be the same price as this IS500, and it's already full loaded. In 5 years, when the BMW/Merc drop out of warranty, and are sitting on lots for a shade under $30k and needing $5k in maintenance, the IS will be there 20-30% higher in value. The only car coming that makes this seem overpriced is the CT4-Blackwing, which starts at $58k. It'll probably out handle it, and get to 60 faster but the CT4 is smaller and less functional. Great Job Lexus. Also, thank you for make this so the IS-F FINALLY goes down in used price. The good ones are STILL sitting in the mid-$30k range.

Lexus to Consumers: what more do you want? You are getting a reliable car with decent resale value...

I love 360 view camera and got so many surprised compliments when people saw it in my car. My wife demands all her future cars should have it. But it seems very few RU-vid car reviewers mention or demo that camera nowadays.

Excellent report. I have a 2007 IS 250 AWD and a 2015 RC 350 AWD. You make me want to go out and buy this model. Great job.

If I could afford it I would buy it. Lexus luxury and reliability and a v8 ??? Gimme gimme gimme

I have one thing to say: Genesis G70 3.3T costs 43K and does 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds and offers incredible feel through the steering wheel and chassis.

I never thought I'd see the day Lexus would make a more attractive sport sedan than BMW.

Lots of comments about this isn't the fastest in the class. I'm OK with that and agree with Alex that the slightly softer version makes a good daily. I do agree that the entire car is a bit dated and the interior isn't as good as some of the rivals. And it's priced a little high, but it's still a nice car, IMO. Maybe in a few years, it will be a used car bargain? I would certainly trust this one to hold up over time and be less expensive to maintain and repair than the German counterparts.

Why keep comparing it to the Acura? Who would cross shop this v8 rwd to an acura fwd based car

One of the only 6 competitive Toyota / Lexus products that stand out. Definitely stands out more than the upcoming 2022 NX Great job lexus! 👏

I completely understand people expecting this car to start around $55k but this is not a base car. As equipped, its erfectly priced. If this car started at $55k you would never find one for that price as every dealer would at least equip nav/ mark levison which is ~3k and LED headlights ~2k. In the same sense, a 69k M3 or c63 virtually desnt exist. those cars are closer to 80k off the lot.

6:30 best looking spare wheel ever?

1.) Since you're in a pre-production model, I'm going to assume a sunroof will be standard on a (base price of) $56k compact luxury sedan 2.) My favorite Carole King song. Love the subtle hint to Lexus V8s and/or V8 sedans in general.

It's quieter in the cabin that's why they added the ASC. And the ASC isn't fake noise.

Sounds like a nice Supra donor car. Thanks Alex 🍻

Lexus IS V8 2022 is the muscle car, Nissan GTR is a muscle car as well. Plus Nissan Z400 coming out too with 467 Horsepower.

Don't mind Lexus branding this as an "F-Sport" instead of an IS-F, like BMW branding an "M340" instead of an M3. The only one that annoys me is MBZ calling the C43 AMG

Dude the price starts at $56,500 the 61k is probably for the model you got there, i already visit my lexus dealer this is a must buy for me, You got the price wrong.

There are no other competitors for the IS500 for me. In 20 years, the IS500 will be the legend (not the new BMW based Supra) and its engine will be the new 2JZ with double the horsepower in naturally aspirated form. Oh, and the black on black on black interior will outlast all other colors. Great even keel review.

I get 28 MPG on the highway with this car. That's great for what it is.

Nice review as usual!

Excellent review

I dont careif its ugly, The fact a naturally aspirated 5.0 L japaneese qaulity built sedan under $100,000 AUS is available is a gift to the world.

Alex, Yesterday you introduced us to an under-powered Toyota (Corolla Cross) and today we meet an overpowered Lexus, is this an effort to find balance from TMC?

When ticking the option boxes adding leather, a paint color and the HK sound system to a M340i it's $60k allready.

That's too beautiful of a car to have that silver type color.

I was a BMW lifer having owned more than 20 of them over the years. Their current models have been so unreliable and strayed so far from the ultimate driving machine I was promised I ended up in a Charger RT Daytona. In 2 or 3 years this will definitely be it’s replacement. Kudos, Lexus. Beautiful job.

Beautiful car, fantastic V8, a bit over priced but still glad Lexus made it.

If they could only add a manual transmission... I bought a IS300 from a WRX STI and I miss stick driving so much. 😭 Everything else about the car is great, but the transmission...

Once my kiddo doesnt need a full child seat in a few years, this is going to be on the top of my shopping list

If lexus' 10 speed was boring the 8 speed is horrendous

Redline review got 0-60 4.37s

There's a base model for $56,500.

Crazy sells, it shows dedication of Lexus to luxury sports car enthusiasts. This is an exciting luxury sports sedan.

Equipping a comparable german vehicle will yield a higher price tag in most cases(not for Audi), for me the IS is the best looking in the segment and without a doubt the best sounding so it would be an easy deciscion for me if I didn't have an LC

I’m glad this car exists and it’s still considered “old school “.everyone is so so concerned about stupid electronic do da’s in this day and age.this car is all about EMOTIONS. V8 is a rare breed unless it a truck so glad Lexus made this .if you want a sporty luxury car without German repair bills every months get this .this dude is too big for this car and seems to like to bash it…his numb and naive decision won’t stop me from getting one.

Acura TLX is the direct competitor of this car Alex that's what you said. A FWD based chassis TLX with SH-AWD, is the direct competitor, of a RWD car on a RWD biased chassis. Whatever you are smoking I want some of it.

Alex isn’t the base price 56500 instead of 61000?

I'm not a Lexus fan at all (except for the LC500). But I absolutely applaud Lexus for offering this thing with a proper V8. Kudos to Lexus for this.

The next gen might woo me over, but for now I'm pleased with the offerings of my Lincoln! (considering this review)

thumbs up for "in this vehicle the 500 means it has a 5 liter engine under the hood" vs. the mercedes e350 has a 2 liter engine what a joke!

i think you can do a comparison test between the old ISF and the new IS 500

0:49 Correct me if im wrong but does Cadillac not have a nice V8? Their V cars...

Arguably, best in class!!! I'm looking for a fun daily driver and this is at the top of my list. The M340i, G70 and C43 are great options as well

I buy used cars for cash, so I'm looking at this as a potential future purchase. For me, reliability is the primary thing in any car. The IS500 seems like a great choice as a driving experience, and I like its looks. With those things in place at a 'good enough' level, and viewing it as a used car with ~75k miles, expected reliability makes it easily the one to beat in the segment. It would take a fair number of other superior qualities to overcome that at a given price.

The Lexus I've been waiting for.

I may be overthinking this, but the IS500 is so incredibly well priced (excluding dealer markups) that, as a new car buyer, it seems Lexus is about to finally completely refresh this model. For many Lexus buyers, futureproofing isn't really a concern, but I think people should keep in mind that the bargain of a price for. V8 comes with a silent caveat.

One of the very last Yamaha tuned 2UR-GSE engines.

This needs 255's in the front and 285 or 295's in the rear. I run 245/265 tires on my 2016 IS350 Fsport.

As always, tasty first look. Hopefully when you get one for review, you can see if it’s really worth the $61K.

This is gonna be a really nice buy in a few years to a decade

Reminds me of mid 90s m3

Agreed this is the DD to have; if you want to track the CT4-V BW will be unbeatable at this price point.

I hope there will be a , no sunroof option. They take too much of the headroom .

I like how he does not even acknowledge to CD player...

manual telescoping steering is a let down. It used to be available on IS for a long time.

Alex, your review style is very very complete and very informative. Please stop saying my bad. You sound very for the lack of a better word unprofessional and informal when you say my bad. I very much enjoy your insights and thank you for all the work you and your staff do.

I noticed he said, not all of that engine noise is real. I hate when they use the audio system to make an engine sound good.

Are there AMG versions of C-series? I think that right now the new C-series, W206, only has 1,5 and 2 liter petrol engines😄 And 2 liter diesels.

gotta love that body tilt during the stand still revs

A fully loaded tlx type s is $53K and tons of modification options. So bang for for buck the tlx is great. These entry level luxury cars are getting ridiculous with the prices. Checked the used market for a 2014 is 350 with 80k and they are asking for $24k+. $61k for a is 500 FSP is little steep.

Give me a manual otherwise I don’t see myself going back to ICE in a sedan. Owned a model 3 for 2 years, it was great fun, cheap to drive, excellent resale value. The main thing I missed was a manual transmission.

Oh... you mean they weren't crazy before when it was the ISF in the late 2000s, early 2010s?

Something tells me that Lexus won't be keen on leasing a limited production, first model year, IS500. Buying may be the only option but that's not really a bad thing considering the legendary reliability ratings

Man, I wish this car come over to Japan and not N.America exclusive.

2003 Rod Millen put Lexus 430 V8 into an IS.

This is gonna be a fast and furious dream once it’s modded up and that v8 pushes out 1000hp.