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Straight Arrow News
- Lexus will return to showroom floors in 2026
- The car comes with new and improved styling, safety features and infotainment
The Lexus is the brand’s small, light-hearted sports sedan, and has officially returned after a short break for a redesign that is expected to arrive at dealers in early 2026, the company announced on September 9th.
Lexus is popular for its use of Toyota’s platforms and components to establish a respected luxury brand. Most of their cars are intended for comfort, but the Lexus was built for performance.
History of IS
The original Lexus was released in 1999. The interior quality and styling Lexus placed decent force to compensate for its sharp handling. Since its establishment, over 1.3 million models have been sold in over 40 countries and regions. Over the lifespan of the vehicle, it has experienced many changes and has kept its small, sporty and luxurious root root root roots intact.
What’s new for 2026?
After taking a short break in 2025, IS will make his debut again with two trims, the 300H and 350. The vehicle not only has a fresh look, but also has some upgrades to its driving characteristics. In a news release, Lexus described the change as “performance and design improvements.”
One of the most important upgrades to the driving experience comes from the transition to a rack parallel system for electronic power steering. It uses variable gear ratios that provide linear and responsive feedback to the driver during steering.
“Electric Power Steering (EPS) uses variable gear ratios to reduce steering angles through intersections and continuous angles, improving steering sensation,” according to a news release. “In addition, the adoption of linear molecular AVS achieves a high level of balance between vehicle stability and reduced road impact, improving driving comfort.”
A fresh look
The body style where the IS is known is still there, but there have been some updates outside. The front fascia has been redesigned to give the vehicle a low center of gravity along with a wider stance. The “F Sport” model comes with a new rear spoiler that adds downforce and lightweight 19-inch aluminum wheels. For the IS lineup, there are eight color options to choose from.
The interior also has some new features. The new 12.3-inch LCD screen and bamboo accents make the new interior stand out. The bamboo can be seen on the Stop Start button and on the top console.
Lexus Safety System+
Newly improved features provide greater safety and provide more peace of mind for people behind the wheel on the street.
The Lexus Safety System+ uses standard safety features found in modern vehicles, such as pre-collision warning, blind spot warning, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Modern safety systems use normal functions and more advanced technologies such as road sign assist, lane trace assist, semi-autonomous driving. This advanced driving feature adds hands-free functionality while navigating busy traffic under driver supervision.
“We pursued development without compromising. We are always aiming to reach the next level,” Yassimoto, International Chief Engineer at Lexus, said in the release. “Based on the unique ride quality and excellent vehicle control of the IS, this model has evolved to provide an even more engaging experience from within the cabin.”
The new generation of Lexus will be available at dealers in the first quarter of next year. As we are still in the prototype stage, we should be able to access powertrain options and pricing information in the future.
