A 2022 Lexus Car Is Bringing Back Something From a Decade Ago
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 4 min read
With the new model, which is expected to arrive at dealerships this fall, Lexus is bringing back the 5.0-liter V-8—which is more than 10 years old and originally debuted in the IS-F.
A new Lexus with an old sound
According to
Car and Driver
, the F Sport Performance is a "compelling proposition." It offers a naturally aspirated V-8 that’s similar in price to turbo six-cylinders, found in cars like the Audi S4, BMW M340i, and the Cadillac CT5-V. As Car and Driver points out, the new IS 500 may not be able to keep up with today’s boosted sixes, but it still does pretty well, reaching 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
And for some, even if it’s a bit
slower
, it might be worth it. These days, some modern cars will actually play a soundtrack of an engine
, meaning you miss out on the real deal. But with the IS 500, drivers get the old-school experience of hearing a 472-horsepower V-8. The IS 500’s intake bypass opens up around 2,800 rpm and creates an authentic engine roar. Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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Drawbacks of the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance
There are some things about the new IS 500 that Car and Driver didn’t like. They claim it doesn't quite live up to the "Performance" part of its name. For instance, the car tends to rear up dramatically during hard acceleration.
The eight-speed automatic in the IS 500 is also not reportedly as quick or smooth for everyday driving as the ZF eight-speed found in the BMW and Audi.
Motor Authority
also had a few criticisms of the car, claiming the backseat is cramped and that passengers don’t have good sightlines. In addition, some might find that the 10.3-inch touchscreen on the dash is a bit of a stretch to reach from the driver’s seat. Motor Authority thinks that the navigation maps look low resolution—almost like they belong in a car built in 2012.
What are the best features of the IS 500?
Despite the negatives, critics also had some positive things to say about the car.
Car and Driver said that the IS 500 responds well to midcorner throttle adjustments and has good tail-out control.
Even with the addition of the V-8, the IS 500 doesn’t gain much weight. According to Motor Authority, the V-8 adds 143 pounds over the IS 350 F Sport and its V-6 for a total weight of 3,891 pounds.
A Dynamic Handling package comes standard with the IS 500. Typically a feature that costs extra on rear-wheel-drive IS F Sport models, the Dynamic Handling package strengthens the structure for low-speed comfort and also helps with stability and agility.
Overall, the IS 500 is expected to be a great daily driver—especially with seats that are said to offer comfort and support.
Coming soon to dealerships
The IS 500 has a starting MSRP of $56,500. As Motor Authority points out, the IS 500 is a $13,550 markup over the RWD IS 350 F Sport. But the Dynamic Handling package comes standard on the IS 500 to help close the gap.
Plus, there’s the addition of that V-8, making the extra cost worth it to those who want a more "old-fashioned" ride experience.
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