Lexus makes many great cars known for their reliability and luxury, but not many Lexus vehicles are known for being sporty. That’s where the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport comes into play. Here’s a look at the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport and how it provides a blast from the past in terms of performance.

The features of the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance

At a starting price of about $57,000, the IS 500 will not be for everyone. It’s significantly more expensive than the base model IS 300. The IS 300 starts at about $42,000, making the IS 500 almost $15,000 more expensive. Despite the price difference, the two cars have a lot of similarities. 

The IS 500, like the regular IS 300, has a great interior that’s built with some high-quality materials. The seats are comfortable, but its infotainment system is pretty average, especially for a luxury sedan. The IS 500 has a 10.3-inch touch screen, which is the upgraded version of the IS 300’s 8-inch touch screen. However, the main draw of the IS 500 is in its engine, which is exactly why it’s a blast from the past.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance gets a V8

Car and Driver wrote that the big, new feature that the IS 500 gets is not new. It’s a 5.0-liter V8 that’s more than 10 years old. Lexus first used it on the IS F a while ago, but it’s making a comeback on the IS 500. To be clear, Lexus didn’t use the exact same engine, and it seems like there have been some improvements. 

The IS 500’s V8 now gets 472 hp, which is 56 hp more than the IS F got all those years ago. Not only does this naturally aspirated engine make V8 noises that car enthusiasts love, but it’s also fast. According to Car and Driver, the IS 500 can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. However, its top speed was limited to 149 mph. Regardless, this still makes it a fast and fun car to drive.

Car and Driver said that the IS 500’s V8 is pretty competitive in power and pricing. This is because the IS 500’s $57,000 price tag is on par with the turbocharged V6 options on other luxury sedans, such as the Audi S4 or the BMW M340i. But, the IS 500 isn’t a flawless car, and it has a few problems that few people will get to solve.

Fast, but not perfect

As its name implies, Lexus will only be making 500 units of the IS 500, and it’ll only be available to North American customers. As such, not that many folks will be able to experience the IS 500’s V8. Like Car and Driver wrote, while the IS 500 is fast, it falls short elsewhere. Notably, its chassis and suspension don’t really live up to the “Performance” in the Lexus’ name. 

Despite that, Car and Driver wrote that the IS 500 is still a sporty and competent sedan. Additionally, due to how comfortable the IS 500 is, it makes for a great car even when not being pushed to its limits. Since it’s a Lexus, there are many options that can make the IS 500 even more comfortable to be in. These options include a 360-degree camera and a heated steering wheel, but they’ll cost about $4,500 when all’s said and done.