It’s not often that things get better with age, especially when it comes to modern cars. Sure, the classics (or modern classics, depending on when you were born) are beneficiaries of the rose-tinted glasses we acquire as we ourselves age, but new cars need some time getting there. The third-generation Lexus IS is looking better than ever, but there’s no nostalgia involved here, just a car that works hard at the gym sculpting its body. This generation of sports sedan has been around since 2013, which makes it a geriatric in car years, but look at that body! Prior to this, the IS received two revisions – one in 2017 and another in 2021 – the latter being a significant one. This third facelift is based on the muscular 2021 car. The IS’ new look refines the sedan’s ‘signature aggressiveness to its fullest’. The face sports a larger mesh grille that’s visually connected to the carryover headlamps. The upper portion of the spindle shape gets a body-coloured trim that visually extends the bonnet and houses the Lexus logo. The sedan’s shapely behind ditches the L logo for Lexus script, in keeping with the current Lexus look and wider trend. The F Sport package adds on a more prominent rear spoiler as well as new 19-inch lightweight aluminium wheels with slim spokes. Eight colours are available, including a fresh Neutrino Grey, while the brake callipers can now be finished in red – this new combo is on the brand’s 2026 Bangkok International Motor Show stand. Inside, the IS’s snug cockpit gets a redesigned dashboard to accommodate a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, both measuring 12.3 inches wide. Goodbye touchpad, you will not be missed. The centre console gets a volume rocker and controls for the ventilated/heated seats in place of the much-criticised controller. The rearrangement of elements and removal of the disc player (a rare item that betrayed the IS’ age) freed up space for a storage cubby with a wireless charging pad. The climate control panel is more compact than before and the analogue clock is no more – the latter, I’m sad to see it go. The push start button is now less conspicuous (was beside the meter panel), there’s a new steering wheel and the corner air vents are no longer round. Thailand gets the CBU imported IS 300h hybrid in two trim levels – Premium and F Sport for 2.799 million baht (RM339,459) and 3.099 million baht (RM375,842) respectively. Thais can add a sunroof to the F Sport for an extra 50,000 baht (RM6,064). Sporty goodies aside, the F Sport also gets a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system. The rear-wheel-drive IS 300h is a 2.5-litre hybrid with an electric continuously variable transmission (E-CVT). The NA engine alone produces 181 hp and 221 Nm of torque at 4,200 to 5,400 rpm. Combined with a 143 hp/300 Nm motor, total system output is 223 hp. The 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 8.7 seconds and top speed is 185 km/h. Claimed average FC is 18.52 km/l. Lexus claims improved dynamics for the IS. The electric power steering’s conventional coaxial rack has been replaced with a parallel rack gear (variable gear ratio) system. This delivers a more linear and smoother steering feel, with a variable gear ratio enabling smooth handling across a wide range of driving situations, Lexus says. The adaptive variable suspension (AVS) system gets a new built-in linear solenoid actuator in place of a step-type actuator to enhance damping force response by approximately four times. The upgrade allows AVS to achieve both flatter sprung-mass behaviour and reduced shock from road surface inputs. Finally, the Lexus Safety System+ suite includes Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) that assists the driver with slowing down for vehicles ahead or when approaching curves, reducing the need for brakes. It also provides continuous steering support while driving within a lane. Other LSS+ members have either expanded coverage and/or support functions. Eight colours are available, but three – Neutrino Gray, Titanium Carbide Gray and Heat Blue Contrast Layer – are reserved for the F Sport. You can have your cabin in all-black, brown (Luxury only) or red (F Sport only). The IS soldiers on with an interior and tech that’s more up-to-date, but just look at that body! GALLERY: 2026 Lexus IS facelift at BIMS 2026 GALLERY: 2026 Lexus IS facelift official images Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater. Use the promo code 'PAULTAN' when you checkout for 10% discount!
