2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Changes, Price, Interior – The 2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport ramped up its presence with a comprehensive redesign that marries traditional sedan grace with bold athleticism. Engineers extended the wheelbase by 1.5 inches, improving rear-seat space and delivering a more planted appearance. The platform harnesses increased structural rigidity—12% higher torsional stiffness—thanks to strategic high-strength steel and lightweight aluminum components. That foundation gave rise to chassis updates: retuned MacPherson struts up front, multi-link rear suspension, and new dynamic dampers optimized for sharper handling without sacrificing ride comfort. 2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Changes
2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The visual overhaul gives the 2026 IS 500 F Sport crisp, athletic detailing. The front end dominates with its revised grille pattern and recessed louvers that channel airflow to front brakes. Slim LED DRLs pierce the grille’s edges, while new 19-inch split-spoke wheels fill the widened fenders. Rear angles reveal LED taillamps with synchronized brake-and-turn patterns, a more aggressive diffuser, and an available carbon roof that lowers the center of gravity while sharpening the exterior’s silhouette.
Inside, Lexus prioritizes the driver. Performance-focused seats feature Alcantara bolsters with contrasting stitching and adjustable thigh support. A revamped multi-function steering wheel integrates paddle shifters and buttons for drive modes. The dashboard hosts a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, topped with a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster offering customizable data arrays—boost pressure, g-forces, torque split, and track timers available at a glance.
Fine materials abound. Soft Nappa leather trims the door panels, while open-pore wood and aluminum trim options match the seats’ accents. The center console houses two wireless charging pads and dual USB-C ports. And while the IS remains performance-driven, comfort isn’t overlooked: tri-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and accessible storage PAIR seamlessly with the car’s sporty aura, delivering both track mentality and executive refinement.
2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Specs
Engine & Performance
Under the hood lies the roaring heart of the 2026 IS 500 F Sport: a revised 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 472 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Lexus engineers gave it new air intake cams, performance headers, and strengthened valve springs to improve low-down torque and high-rev snappiness. Power reaches the rear wheels via a rapid-shifting 8-speed automatic with paddle override, while an updated locking torque-biasing rear limited-slip differential channels power precisely around corners.
Performance isn’t raw alone—it’s refined. Lexus re-engineered the adaptive dampers with new software calibrations for “Sport+” mode, tightening body control and sharpening steering response. Brake performance comes from 14.9-inch rotors supported by six-piston fronts for fade-free deceleration—even under repeated track use. For extra grip, Lexus offers a Performance Handling package: larger staggered wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tires feed traction to the road faithfully.
Drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom—adapt engine mapping, steering weight, damper stiffness, and exhaust note within 0–60 ms. Launch control is improved, delivering 0–60 mph in an estimated 4.0 seconds. An optional Track Handling package includes rear-wheel steering, uprated anti-roll bars, and recalibrated steering ratio. The result? A car loud enough to announce itself, but subtle enough to remain civilized on suburban streets—or utterly planted during canyon blasts. 2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Changes
2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Fuel Economy
Power often comes at a price at the pump—but Lexus has engineered efficiency. The IS 500 F Sport now earns an EPA rating of 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway—thanks to cylinder deactivation and advanced thermal management. Auto start-stop is more refined with improved transitional smoothness, and the engine’s naturally aspirated V8 is engineered for reduced internal friction to improve fuel savings without dulling its character.
2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Safety Features
Technology elevates safety without weighing down dynamic purity. Lexus Safe System+, standard on all IS 500 F Sport trims, includes pre-collision detection with pedestrian and cyclist support, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign assist. The 10-inch head-up display relays speed, navigation, and lane-keeping data directly in the driver’s line-of-sight—a boon on fast roadways or tracks.
Added to the mix is Performance Drive Assist (PDA), a new feature for aggressive driving. It uses front radar and steering-angle input to maintain gap distances even during spirited cornering—ideal for those experimenting with later braking or road apexing. Rear Cross Traffic Alert now includes Steering Assist, guiding reactionary steering to avoid side impacts in crowded park-lots or tight maneuvers.
Structural safety has also been enhanced. The IS’s updated body structure adds crumple zones front and rear, and side airbags now deploy through seat-mounted mechanisms, optimizing position in the event of impact. The optional Blind Spot Monitor includes rear radar displays for approaching vehicles, reducing anxiety during high-speed lane changes. Lexus has crafted safety that matches its performance — proactive, precise, and tailored to driving environments.
2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Release Date & Price
Pricing begins at $66,000 for the base F Sport trim. The stealthier F Carbon Package adds carbon-fiber trim pieces, gloss-black wheels, and blue-accented stitching for $4,500. The Performance Handling package, including Track-ready suspension, tires, and rear steering, adds another $5,500. All trims include a three-year maintenance plan and Lexus loyalty incentives up to $2,000, making total delivered pricing starting in the low $65Ks.
The official unveiling is set for October 2025, with customer orders opening in November. Initial production slots are reserved for early adopters and Lexus Performance Club members. First deliveries are scheduled for February 2026. The carbon-roof variant and full-trimmed editions will arrive by summer 2026. Lexus plans dynamic driving events across the U.S., highlighting canyon, track, and mountain performance—to celebrate the IS’s return to driver’s-first dynamics. 2026 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Changes