The IS is a sports sedan from the luxury car brand Lexus. Its sophisticated design and excellent driving performance have captivated many drivers. However, when considering purchasing one, maintenance costs are likely a concern. While we have previously provided information on the Lexus IS on this site, this time we will focus on maintenance costs.
When using a car, it’s important to understand the maintenance costs of owning one, such as gasoline, taxes, and insurance. If you don’t know, you may not be able to maintain your Lexus IS and end up having to sell it. This article introduces the gasoline costs, taxes, and insurance costs of the Lexus IS, along with simulations. This information is useful for those considering purchasing a car and those who are already owners. If you’re interested in the maintenance costs of the Lexus IS, be sure to check it out.
Lexus IS maintenance and running costs
The Lexus IS is a luxury car, so you should expect maintenance and running costs to be high.
- Automobile tax: 43,500 yen (1 year)
- Weight tax: Because it is over 1,500 kg, a high weight tax of 32,800 yen (every 2 years) is charged.
- Voluntary insurance premium: Approximately 100,000 yen (1 year)
- Vehicle inspection fee: Approximately 100,000 yen (every 2 years)
- Parking fee: Approximately 30,000 yen (monthly)
- Fuel cost: Depends on mileage
- Consumables: car wash, engine oil, etc.
Lexus IS automobile tax: 43,500 yen (1 year)
Applying this to the table, the gasoline-powered 2.5L inline-4 engine found in the Lexus IS350h and the hybrid version has a 2.5L inline-4 direct-injection engine (Dynamic Force Engine) plus a motor (2.0L or more but less than 2.5L) displacement, so the automobile tax amount is 43,500 yen.
| Engine displacement | Automobile tax amount |
|---|---|
| 660cc | 10,800 yen |
| 1,000cc or less | 25,000 yen |
| More than 1,000cc but less than 1,500cc | 30,500 yen |
| More than 1,500cc but less than 2,000cc | 36,000 yen |
| More than 2,000cc but less than 2,500cc | 43,500 yen |
| More than 2,500cc but less than 3,000cc | 50,000 yen |
| More than 3,000cc but less than 3,500cc | 57,000 yen |
| More than 3,500cc but less than 4,000cc | 65,500 yen |
| More than 4,000cc but less than 4,500cc | 75,500 yen |
| More than 4,500cc but less than 6,000cc | 87,000 yen |
| Over 6,000cc | 110,000 yen |
Voluntary insurance premium: Approximately 100,000 yen (1 year)
Voluntary automobile insurance is insurance that car owners and users can voluntarily purchase to cover the portion of their insurance that is not covered by compulsory automobile liability insurance, or to prepare for damages that are not covered by compulsory automobile liability insurance . The main differences between compulsory automobile liability insurance and voluntary automobile insurance are as follows:
| item | Compulsory automobile liability insurance | Voluntary insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Join | compulsion | any |
| Coverage | Personal injury and property damage compensation | Personal injury and property damage compensation, vehicle insurance, passenger insurance, etc. |
| Compensation amount | minimum level | Subscriber’s choice |
| Insurance premiums | Depends on the vehicle type and age | Depends on the compensation |
Voluntary insurance mainly covers three types of coverage :
- Third-party liability insurance: Covers damages to the other party who is killed or injured.
- Property damage insurance: Covers damage to the other party’s property, such as vehicles and buildings.
- Vehicle insurance: Covers repair costs if your car is damaged in an accident.
You can freely combine these types of coverage to choose the coverage you need. The premium for optional insurance is determined by the coverage you choose, the type of car you own, your age, your accident history, and other factors.
This time, you can freely combine options, and the amount varies depending on the voluntary insurance company, so we think it will cost around 100,000 yen per year, including vehicle insurance.
Compulsory automobile liability insurance (17,650 yen for 2 years) required at the time of vehicle inspection
When purchasing a car, you pay the insurance premium for the period until the next vehicle inspection. The amount of automobile liability insurance premium differs between standard cars and light cars, and when purchasing a new standard car, it costs 17,650 yen.
Standard car: Automobile weight tax (weight tax) levied every two years (32,800 yen for two years)
Since it is a statutory fee that is included in the vehicle inspection fee, it will be listed in the vehicle inspection fee. The automobile weight tax amount is determined by vehicle model. The vehicle weight of the Lexus IS is 1,690kg to 1,720kg, and private passenger cars are inspected every two years, while cargo vehicles are inspected annually.
| Vehicle weight | Less than 13 years since new registration |
|---|---|
| Less than 500kg | 8,200 yen |
| 1,000kg or less | 16,400 yen |
| 1,500kg or less | 24,600 yen |
| 2,000kg or less | 32,800 yen |
| 2.500kg or less | 41,000 yen |
| 3,000kg or less | 49,200 yen |
Here is an article about car taxes.
Vehicle inspection fee: Approximately 100,000 yen (every 2 years)
Vehicle inspection is a system to check whether a vehicle complies with the safety standards set forth in the Road Transport Vehicle Act. All vehicles must undergo inspection three years after purchase , and then every two years thereafter . The inspection fee for the Lexus IS is estimated to be around 100,000 yen.
Gasoline costs
When considering resale value, a hybrid car is the obvious choice.
| Specifications | IS500 | IS300h |
|---|---|---|
| full length | 4,760mm | 4,710mm |
| Overall width | 1,840mm | 1,840mm |
| Overall height | 1,435mm | 1,435mm 1,440mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800mm | 2,800mm |
| engine | 5.0L V8 turbo engine |
2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine + motor |
| Maximum power | 352kW (479ps) / 7,100rpm |
131kW (178hp) / 6,000rpm |
| Maximum torque | 535Nm (54.6kgm) / 4,800rpm |
21Nm (22.5kgm) / 4,200~4,800rpm |
| Motor maximum output |
– | 105 kW (143 hp) |
| Motor Max Torque |
– | 300 Nm (30.6 kgm) |
transmission |
8-Speed SPDS |
8-Speed SPDS |
| Drive system | FR | FR |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people | 5 people |
| WLTC mode fuel economy |
9.0km/L | 18.0km/L |
- Turbo engine (2WD) fuel economy in WLCT mode: 9.0km/L (8.0km/L)
- Fuel economy for hybrid vehicles (2WD) is calculated based on WLCT mode fuel economy: 18.0km/L (13.5km/L).
Calculation of driving 10,000 km when gasoline price is 170 yen per liter
- Gasoline model 10,000km = 212,500 yen
- Hybrid car 10,000km = 125,926 yen
Consumables and other expenses
Other expenses include car wash fees and parking fees when traveling.
Calculate the cost for one year
The calculations are based on a 10,000 km annual driving distance. Also, I’ve written “approximately” because I’ve divided each payment into one year. Other expenses and parking fees are not included in this calculation, as some people incur these fees and others do not.
| 1 year fee | Lexus IS500 gasoline vehicle |
Lexus IS350h hybrid car |
|---|---|---|
| automobile tax | 87,000 yen | 43,500 yen |
| Voluntary insurance premiums | Approximately 100,000 yen | Approximately 100,000 yen |
| Compulsory automobile liability insurance | Approximately 8,825 yen | Approximately 8,825 yen |
| Vehicle weight tax (weight tax) |
Approximately 16,400 yen | Approximately 16,400 yen |
| Vehicle inspection costs | Approximately 50,000 yen | Approximately 50,000 yen |
| Gasoline costs | Approximately 212,500 yen | Approximately 125,926 yen |
| total | Approximately 474,725 yen | Approximately 344,651 yen |
*This is based on the latest automotive information, so please let us know if you find any mistakes.
The annual maintenance costs for the Lexus IS are estimated to be around 470,000 yen for a gasoline-powered vehicle and around 340,000 yen for a hybrid vehicle . We hope this information is helpful when making your purchase.
Lexus IS 2023 model price
| grade | engine | transmission |
Drive system |
Price (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS300h | Inline 4-cylinder DOHC 2.5L engine + motor |
Electric Continuously Variable Transmission (THS II) |
2WD | 5,270,000 yen |
| 4WD | 5,690,000 yen | |||
| IS300h “version L” |
2WD | 6,010,000 yen | ||
| 4WD | 6,430,000 yen | |||
| IS300h “F SPORT” |
2WD | 5,810,000 yen | ||
| 4WD | 6,230,000 yen | |||
| IS300h “F SPORT Mode Black Ⅲ” |
2WD | 6,310,000 yen | ||
| 4WD | 6,730,000 yen | |||
| IS500 “F SPORT Performance |
5.0L V8 engine | 8-Speed SPDS | 2WD | 8,500,000 yen |
A word from the editorial department
So far, we’ve focused on price, but we’d like to discuss comfort as well. If comfort is a priority, we recommend a hybrid vehicle. This is because hybrid vehicles offer better fuel economy and motor assistance than gasoline models, allowing for a more relaxed driving experience. Furthermore, they already feature the same engine and hybrid system that has been well-received in many models, including the RAV4, Harrier, Crown (crossover), and Camry. The IS model boasts increased engine and motor output, providing even greater comfort. Annual maintenance costs are estimated to be around 340,000 to 470,000 yen. It’s important to consider these points when making your purchase.
