Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.For most of my driving life, the manual transmission has been non-negotiable. I've owned two manual transmission cars and fell in love with both of them. One was a Honda Accord sedan, the other a BMW 3-Series coupe. I cut my manual transmission teeth on both of them and turned into a bona fide loyalist. Every so often, a car comes along that challenges my loyalty. The 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD might be one of them.At first glance, the IS 350 F Sport does not seem like the obvious candidate to sway a manual purist. It is not marketed as a hardcore driver's car in the same vein as a BMW M340i or Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. Instead, Lexus takes a different route that's not just about the numbers. It continues to focus on refinement, reliability, and a unique Japanese interpretation of a sports sedan. The IS 350 AWD delivers its own blend of driving thrills, styling, and daily usability, so you don't have to give up everything when you switch to a slushbox.The Argument for Less is MoreJared Rosenholtz/AutoblogWhen the BMW M5 delivers 717-hp and supercar-like acceleration times, who stands a chance? And then there are standard EVs that can outrun the IS 350. An AWD Hyundai IONIQ 5 will crush the IS 350 F Sport AWD's 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds with 4.5 seconds on the clock. Toyota's own Crown 2.4L Turbo Hybrid Max outguns the IS 350 with 340 horsepower versus 311. Oof, that hurts, especially for a car whose demographic is probably mid-60s.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe IS 350's naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 is pretty special, though, in light of the ubiquitous turbo four-cylinders roaming everywhere on America's streets. The engine isn't jumpy, jerky, or laggy. It boasts beautifully linear power delivery that feels organic and natural, and the engine delivers in that sweet spot of spirited driving that makes you feel alive but still very much composed. Paired with the six-speed automatic in the AWD configuration, the setup is not about mind-boggling acceleration and overwhelming speeds—it is about smoothness and balance with a healthy dose of performance.Yes, six gears in 2026 sounds almost archaic when competitors are pushing eight- and ten-speed units. But Lexus' transmission tuning deserves praise for toeing the line between easy and capable. In daily driving, it's smooth and unobtrusive, making commuting and traffic calm and fluid. In Sport and Sport+ modes, it holds gears longer and responds with a level of immediacy that, while not dual-clutch sharp, feels crisp and appropriately reactive. There's no gear hunting, and it handles downshifts quickly. When I drove it, I didn't marvel at its performance. Rather, I enjoyed its driving cohesiveness.Anytime I drive a high-powered sports sedan, I am hit with the realization that I can only drive it at 6/10ths of its capability, at best. 500+ horsepower feels like a tease of the worst kind. 311 horses, all-wheel drive, and quick (if not rapier-like) responses feels just right. I can drive the IS 350 F Sport AWD hard and not worry about ending up in the weeds or behind bars.Driving EngagementJared Rosenholtz/AutoblogThe IS 350 AWD never feels insane, and it's not a weekend track car forced to do daily driving duties. In fact, I think it aptly reframes what the term "driver engagement" can mean. Rather than excelling at the extremes, it manages virtually all aspects of driving with remarkable competence. The F Sport package brings adaptive dampers and a tighter suspension setup that, while not punishing, communicates enough of the road to keep the driver invested. The steering, often criticized in older Lexus models for being overly numb, now carries a degree of precision that encourages confidence.LexusThen there is the reality of where and how we drive. In a city like Chicago, where traffic snarls, construction, and unpredictable weather are constants, the appeal of an automatic AWD sedan sells itself. The IS 350's all-wheel-drive system adds a layer of year-round usability that a rear-wheel-drive manual just can't match. I loved my RWD 3-Series during three seasons, but snow pretty much sidelined it even with dedicated ice and snow tires. When temperatures drop and roads turn slick, a sports sedan with four wheels of traction is a beautiful gift that keeps on giving.The Cabin Finally Gets ModernizedAdvertisementAdvertisementBefore the refresh, I lamented some aspects of the IS 350's cabin. Most of it was great, especially the F Sport seats, the instrument display, the drive mode selector, and the shift knob. The steering wheel button configuration, the center stack, tiny climate control buttons, the analog clock, and the supremely annoying infotainment touchpad felt antiquated and insipid.Now, everything feels right. The touchpad is gone, the climate controls are a clean set of well-sized toggle switches, and even the HVAC vents look great. Even little details like the new grey camo plastic on the center console and the new audio volume scroll wheel are excellent. The updated software, new steering wheel controls, The new dashboard is much better, thanks to the addition of NuLuxe trim on the lower third.Final ThoughtsThe IS 350 AWD doesn't replace the emotional appeal of a manual sports sedan. I still crave a 2012 Porsche Cayman R and would definitely settle for an ND Miata Club. The IS does not replicate the tactile satisfaction of rowing your own gears and the three-pedal play. But it offers something different: a cohesive, well-rounded driving experience that aligns with modern expectations of usability, comfort, and understated performance. And for someone who typically shuns automatics, that's pretty convincing.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.