Is The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F-Sport Performance The Return Of The IS F? 

The V8 is back in the Lexus IS and we have to say, we liked it a lot more than we expected. It’s quicker to 60 mph than a TLX Type S and Q50 Red Sport, plus that V8 noise is just perfection. We also liked the $56,500 base price but fully loaded at $67k is a bit steep. Still, we’re glad Lexus decided to give us a V8 again! Would you guys go for this car or choose one of its turbocharged 6-cylinder competitors?

An engine like that in a modern car is a gem. Tired of all these damn small displacement turbos and EVs/hybrids nowadays. Well done Lexus!!

Man! That sound was beautiful There’s no replacement for displacement

A Lexus with a V8 under 60K? I guess now we can all dream with affording one of this... One day.😃

I don't think the interior looks dated at all, not everything needs a wall of screens and 0 buttons

Although today wasn’t payday. Waking up to a bunch of new is500 reviews made my day!!!

This car is beautiful. The refreshed IS is definitely a looker and now with the engine to match. Would be nice to get the F treatment. This interior combo would also look great in the Grecian blue color.

Lexus built this car to last for 20-30years. Every part in the car is tried and proven.

Sofyan, side note. It did come with the Mark Levinson system. You can clearly see the callout on the head unit at about 8:58 into the video.

And it’s all Lexus… No BMW or Subaru DNA. This car is gorgeous and a huge shout out to Lexus for doing this can’t say enough. Wish I could afford it maybe A low mileage well-maintained non-abused used one in a few years....sigh

Hey Sofyan, picked up my 2022 IS 500 Premium on Friday and driving it the 800 miles back home! 1. Unlike your tester, mine came with the upgraded Mark Levinson sound system, a moonroof, and memory seats. 2. After 500 miles, I can report the brake pedal is kinda soft. It’s fine, but definitely softer than my 2016 IS 350 FSport. The interior has been around, it’s like sitting in my 2016, but not. It’s weird how it can be both. Basically it’s quite comfortable and very functional. No need for over the top ambient lighting or an overly large touch screen. IMO 3. There is a difference in drive modes, like Jekyll & Hyde difference. I suspect Lexus reviewed the videos of you and a few others, and made adjustments to the transmission’s software mapping. On the highway, NORMAL mode is freaking terrible for a driving enthusiast. The handling and the responsiveness is way too lazy. For long highway trips, I say SPORT mode is best. The car literally wakes up and you’re like: “Okay…this is the business, now I’m driving a sports car!” The RPMs are just a smidge higher, the gas mileage is the same, and the comfort is still Lexus. Just easier to modulate speed and direct the car. In SPORT+ (on long trips) the steering is way too heavy and the rest of the car is too firm. In the city however, it’s Sport+ all day, every day for me! 😂 I knew your review was spot-on, so glad I was able to see it before getting mine. Keep up the great work!

What a fantastic car! By far my favorite entry in that segment, no question. So much charisma with that V8, looks like one of my childhood Shogun Warriors come to life. A chiseled, gorgeous hunk of a car.

I absolutely love the IS and the 500 even more so. Will be trading in my '16 IS350 FSport RWD for this very soon. Great and fair review as always; but I'll admit, I was concerned you'd hate and trash it! Whew! :-D

I don’t think The interior looks outdated. I personally love it . Anyone else ?

Everytime i see this car i look at least twice… i almost crashed first time i saw it… it’s incredibly nice looking… especially the back 😩

The spec of your tester is perfect, Infrared with the white interior, *chefs kiss.

It's definitely got the spirit of the original ISF in its style and glorious v8....

I was really looking forward to Redline Reviews reviewing the is500. Great video, RR is the best car reviews!

C&D weighed the IS500 at 3980 lbs so the weight is not much different. A lot of misleading things in the video. RCF is a track oriented F car and it has a lot of track hardware that the IS500 F-Sport does not have. The "frankenstein" chassis was created for track performance so it has a much higher rigidity quotient than the the IS (which is why Lexus did not use the IS chassis). RCF has a much stiffer suspension/chassis setup, better brakes, better wheels/tires, better cooling systems and much better seats with available carbon fiber/TVD. That is why it costs much more.

I live in the Dallas area, I see these every where. Good looking car, definitely always has me staring.

Still making awesome videos man

I love the new IS 500, it's sleek, beautiful, powerful, reliable and practical.

Waking up to the sound of that V8 makes my day what a beautiful 😍 car I need to be in the driver seat 💺 Lexus here I come

Even as a snow belt resident here in Ohio, I would definitely own this car. Most car enthusiasts with the means own a winter vehicle anyway. I have a Subaru Impreza for winter and I just purchased a 2021 MX-5 GT for summer fun. That said, It's difficult for me to justify owning a 3rd vehicle haha. Great review!

Good job on the intro, think you nailed it 👍

Nice move opening the hood looking through the camera .. pretty slick

been waiting a while for this review!!

Great Presentation! Thoroughly enjoyed. Hope to have one when Sally my regular grade Highlander retires. Great job!

Amazing car! Just the fact of not having a turbocharger it's a big advantage over the competitors

Great review Sofyan. Really nice package, the 4Runner of sports sedans.,. So, I have a 2010 CTS-V, about 80k miles now. Seriously considering this or CT4 BW. Would love your thoughts, since I haven’t had an opportunity to drive either

Best Japanese sedan money can buy right now. Period. This is a experience. A drivers cars not about number but about enjoyment and fun.

I live in a snow state but that didn't stop me from putting snow tires on my past RWD M3. With some snow tires this should be completely fine.

Great video! Exactly what I was looking for!

Would have this over the M340i, hands down

I feel Lexus USA need to fire their marketing manager ... The car always missing something. They could easily make this car IS F, Adding Air fender and rear wings. Rear seat suncurtain on doors. This car will be selling GOOD!!!!!

Your cackle is hilarious - love it. V8s make me giggle too.

A very nice refresher. Lexus definitely hit it with the design for the IS

so good. this is my fav episode!

lol forget any musical and high production intro - the first 20 seconds of this video is all i need in life.

My very first Lexus was the woeful 2008 IS250. It was a fun car to drive, but very power deficient. At last, Lexus has finally stuffed something worth talking about in the IS! Good for Lexus, good for us.

I'm totally buying this car. Love the sound of the V8.

It's absurd to compare the Lexus IS 500 F Sport to the BMW M3 or Mercedes C63, or even the C43. They are at totally different price points. If you compare it to cars at the same price point, I think you'll find the Lexus IS 500 F Sport takes the cake, even with its dated interior. Because, at $56,000-$59,000, its competition is the BMW 330i or 430i, or the Audi A4 or A5.

Great review...very indepth! This was like reading the manual but more fun :) Do people even read manuals anymore though...lol. Great job on your video :)

It will be sad when cars like this are no longer available for sale. EV's are really the future but I still prefer the feel and sound of a combustion engine. Naturally aspirated V8 is even better.

Sounds like you loved that V8

Perfecting timing for me I’ll get this Lexus used in 2-3 years then hopefully a whipple comes out by then 🤞

Excellent review!

Great review...thank you brother.

What an awesome opening to a video! Does anyone know how Sofan did that burnout in the beginning? Is he standing on the brake with the left foot? Thanks!

Still amazed that the cruise control is on the steering column...just like my old 2000 Camry. That's 21 years ago!

the interior looks great, y’all are never satisfied, it has most of the recent technology

What a kick ass car!!! Can't wait for it to arrive at my Lexus dealer!

Jdm enthusiasts are having a blast this year with all these releases of sporty sedan and coupes

Great Presentation!

I've watched lots of reviews on the lexus IS 500 & 350s and it seems that journalists don't understand the point of cars like these, it's not about comparing it to turbo competition in a straight line or expect to get the latest tech. It's about the classic driving experience and exclusivity factor for someone who knows their cars, in addition to not going broke with all of the service bills.

that excitement when you drive is WHY YOU GET THIS

Just purchased a 2022 kia stinger elite Awd, if this was Awd i might have regretted my decision but the extra room and awd helps a alot in northern alberta. Pkus its about $15,000 more for the same features.

I want one! reminds me of the only M3 i wanted which is an E92!! This one reminds me so well of that car a rear wheel drive V8.

Way to go Lexus Who doesn’t love a naturally aspirated v8?,besides the epa

This might sound like a dumb question but you say your tester didn't have the Mark Levinson system yet at 7:22 of your video, you see the typical white knobs associated with the ML system, and when you look closer at the name plate below the CD player (just up from the seat warmer buttons), you can see the lettering of the ML - Am I missing something?

Sounds amazing!!!!!!

The engine on this car is a masterpiece. The transmission…we’ll see, but is a Lexus so it should be at least reliable.

It is odd that that the Lexus uses simulated leather seats .. The Toyota Camry XSE and XLE have" genuine leather" seating as standard equipment ... The simulated still looks good and they use that in a lot of vehicles .

In this class, the 3 best options are now the M3, with a manual, any left over 2021 C63s you can find with the V8, and the new Lexus IS Performance. I was worried that they'd start over $60k, but they stayed on the right side of history, and didn't price themselves into a corner.

i always drive mine on sports mode - badass car❤lexus and toyota- rock on!

Love to see head 2 head with a CT4 Blackwing. Lexus gets nod for amazing V8, but I think Cadillac for styling, interior and it’s 6sp manual.

Got one on order. Driven V8s always and there is no comparison!

Thank you Lexus, I love this car, I think it's beautiful inside and out but let's be honest it's all about that V8. I would say price is a bit high but still a lovely car.

I was looking for your most recent LS 500 review but couldn’t find it. I think I saw it on your Instagram stories… Do you have it coming soon?

I am considering this but will it drive well enough in the winter.

Saw the goose and Florida man.. u did a better review for sure!

It is not actually lighter than the RCF and RCF all of the extra track hardware. It is softer and compliant. RCF has a heavier steering, which is why it feels heavier, but it is much better for high speed turning on the track as far as making corrections and confidence. IS500 F-Sport weighed in 3980 lbs and RCF is around 20 lbs more. Basically, an IS350 with the RCF V8, but RCF is way more nimble and more agile on the race track. I took a ride in the IS500 F-Sport on the track with Townsend and drove an RCF on the race track. You can immediately see the difference between a proper F car and the F-Sport. That is why RCF is so much more expensive with all of the track hardware, brakes, suspension, wheels, tires, cooling etc.

Man i really want one of these. I think itll look great in the garage next to my 2023 Tundra😁

They don’t make em like this anymore.

“It falls short of greatness by chasing a moment that hasn’t yet passed”. Got DAMN that’s great writing….

Hey I know you said that the IS 500 isn’t equipped with the Mark Levinson audio system but I’m watching it right now and it does have the Mark levinson system idk if you saw it under the AC controls just to let you know thanks

I’m sure the F seats can be retrofitted on this car right? Just expensive to source them?

I love it. No replacement for displacement.

Waiting on Audi Rs3 2022 400+ HP AWD

bro you were moving them hands in the intro 😂

The engine is the main attraction for me in this car. Lexus could have at least added memory linked seats with power adjustable steering wheel as with most other Lexus vehicles present and past.

This car performs even much better on HIGHWAYS... 100-200km/h GT-R 7.x Panamera Turbo 8.x IS500 9.x M340 10.x-11.x

Pretty good sound for a V8. Hopefully the added power breathes some life in to the IS, I drove the 350 F-Sport and it really didn't do anything for me.

I think you said you didn't have the ML system in your tester. The 9 min mark shows the ML logo.

Everything is faster than the type s 🤦‍♂️

People will always complain. Bottom line, its a compact sedan with a v8 as well as possessing luxury features, and for the price, youre spending your money well

God damn what a package this car is. It's so fucking gorgeous, reliable, LSD, NA v8, sounds orgasmic, touch screen with auto and play, not a terrible price, fuck.

I wish they had a 6 speed manual on it I would actually consider buying it

I saw the notification as I was feeding the twins. The ISF was my dream car after graduating college. Watching this as I sip my coffee.

Finally the IS 500😳

Another hit for Lexus/Toyota🥵🥵

Saving money rn for this car I will have it 💆🏽‍♂️

Does it have APP to Auto turn on Heater and Air condition>?? Remove Control?

A Lexus with no sunroof is like a Lion with no hair!

I’m bout to trade In my IS 300 lmao. This thing is dope!!!

very cool car. i may be wrong but i believe this will be the last N/A V8 sedan maybe ever. future classic. and its approximately a million times better than the TLX Type S

God damn that’s beautiful

It’s beautiful

Your tester does have the Mark Levinson sound system in it. See ML logo @8:00 right above the gear shift.

This has snow mode and an lsd; that would make it okay in the snow right?