Lexus new IS minor change, latest equipment and powertrain revision! Released in 2026

Lexus is expected to make a minor change to the new IS model and release it in 2026. The IS series was first released on May 16, 2013, and this will be the first minor change in its 13th year. The second minor change was on November 5, 2020, and the third minor change will be made six years into the model. We will explain in detail what kind of model the next-generation model will be.

Lexus new IS minor change exterior

The IS will undergo a minor change with a redesigned exterior, adopting the spindle body from the RX and changing the grille shape to give it a completely new image. The shape of the rear taillights, which are similar to those on the RX, will also be changed to a more three-dimensional shape, the rear turn signals will be changed to LED, and the LEXUS logo is expected to be placed on the rear, similar to recent Lexus vehicles.

Lexus new IS minor change interior

The interior features a 12.3-inch full LCD meter that incorporates the latest Lexus design, also used in the LBX, for improved quality and operability. The multimedia system and connected services have also been revamped, with a new touch display. The navigation display has been enlarged from a 10.3-inch wide display to a 12.3-inch touch wide display, and the latest connected navigation system has been introduced. In addition, the new design of the shift knob and surrounding specifications have also been changed.

Lexus new IS minor change safety features

The third-generation “Next Generation Lexus Safety System+” is standard on all vehicles, and includes the “Proactive Driving Assist,” “Advanced Park,” and “Advanced Drive (Traffic Jam Assist)” functions.

The system uses laser radar and cameras to ensure excellent recognition performance and reliability, and also includes collision avoidance support PCS, LDA, and AHB in a package, ensuring collision avoidance support and damage mitigation performance that is compatible even at high speeds.

It is equipped with “Pre-crash Safety” that can detect bicycles during the day and pedestrians at night, and “Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)” that assists steering operations necessary to maintain lane when “Radar Cruise Control” that maintains a constant distance from the vehicle ahead is activated. Software update OTA (wireless communication) allows software updates to improve the performance of advanced safety equipment without having to go to a dealership.

Pre-crash Safety (PCS) with pedestrian detection detects obstacles ahead using laser radar and a camera, and if there is a risk of collision, it first alerts the driver with a buzzer and a display to urge them to brake. If the driver notices the risk of a collision and applies the brakes, powerful brake assist is activated. Even if the driver does not apply the brakes, for example, if the vehicle is traveling at 30 km/h toward a stopped vehicle, the automatic brakes will slow the vehicle by approximately 30 km/h to help avoid a collision. The automatic brakes operate over a wide speed range, from approximately 10 to 80 km/h, and cover more than 80% of actual rear-end collisions. For pedestrians, the PCS automatic brakes are now also activated at night, within the same speed range of approximately 10 to 80 km/h .

The Road Sign Assist (RSA)　 has expanded its detection targets, and now also reads major roadside traffic signs such as “speed limit,” “stop sign,” “no entry,” and “no crossing” and displays them on the instrument panel.

The Lane Departure Alert (LDA) camera recognizes the white and yellow lines in the driving lane, and if it detects the possibility of lane departure, it alerts the driver with a buzzer and a visual display, helping to avoid collisions caused by lane departure.

Adaptive High Beam Assist (AHS)　 is a system that precisely controls the on/off of LEDs to automatically block only the areas of light that would otherwise hit preceding or oncoming vehicles. This increases the frequency with which you can drive with your high beams on, ensuring excellent nighttime visibility.

Radar Cruise Control　 : This vehicle employs radar cruise control, which uses millimeter-wave radar to detect the distance between vehicles and the vehicle ahead, and adjusts its speed to match the speed of the vehicle ahead within a set speed range, allowing it to maintain a certain distance while following. Millimeter-wave radar and a camera detect lane changes by the vehicle ahead, allowing for smoother acceleration and deceleration control. Toyota aims for the ultimate goal of a mobility society: zero traffic fatalities and injuries. Toyota is researching and developing various safety equipment and systems based on its “Integrated Safety Concept,” striving to “develop safer vehicles and technologies,” and strengthening a wide range of traffic safety initiatives through “participation in traffic environment improvement” and “traffic safety awareness activities for people.”

Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), featured in the new Lexus LS series, is being adopted for the first time in the next-generation Toyota Safety Sense P. When driving on a highway or expressway and radar cruise control is activated, turning on the Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) switch provides steering assistance necessary to keep the vehicle in its lane.

Leading vehicle departure notification function　 If you are stopped behind a vehicle in front of you at a traffic light or in a traffic jam and do not notice the vehicle in front of you starting to move, a buzzer will sound and a message will appear on the display to notify you.

Lexus Lexus Safety System+ equipped vehicle summary

Lexus new IS minor change preventive safety equipment

New features added: Intelligent Parking Assist (with collision warning function + back guide monitor function + voice guidance function).

Intelligent Clearance Sonar (Parking Support Brake) is a system that helps mitigate collisions caused by accidentally pressing the accelerator or pressing it too hard, thereby reducing damage. The “Clearance Sonar” displays and sounds a buzzer when approaching stationary objects while parking, and now has an added function to mitigate contact with stationary objects. The sonar can also accurately detect glass at convenience stores and other locations. When driving at low speeds (below 15km/h), if a stationary object is detected in the direction of travel, the hybrid system output is reduced, and if the distance becomes even shorter, the brakes are applied automatically.

Drive Start Control　 This suppresses sudden acceleration when shifting, helping to reduce damage in the event of a collision.

Emergency brake signal (hazard lights flashing type) When you apply the brakes suddenly, the hazard lights will automatically flash.

Digital inner mirror: Images from a camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle are displayed on the rearview mirror.

By installing a dedicated application on a digital key　smartphone, the smartphone can be used as a digital key for vehicles that have this function. As long as the smartphone is with you, you can lock, unlock, and start the engine without operating the screen, and even if you own multiple cars that are compatible with the digital key, you can operate them with just one smartphone. Digital keys can also be transferred between smartphones, making it easy to lend and borrow vehicles between family and friends in distant locations.

Advanced Park Remote function: Operation guidance is provided by the screen display and voice/buzzer sounds, and assistance is provided for reversing into a target parking position confirmed on the screen or for exiting from parallel parking by operating the steering wheel, shift position, accelerator and brake.In addition, a dedicated smartphone app is available, allowing parking to be performed remotely from outside the vehicle.

Lexus new IS minor change powertrain

The powertrain has been revised, and the previously rumored IS300 and IS350 have been discontinued, leaving only the IS300h in the lineup.

Lexus new IS minor change specs

Lexus new IS minor change price forecast

This minor change has resulted in a price increase, which is expected to be affected by the weak yen and improvements. We expect the price to increase by approximately 100,000 to 200,000 yen.

IS Series Current Price 2024

A word from the editorial department

The current IS series is a valuable FR sports sedan. Since its release in 2013, it has undergone a series of minor changes and improvements, and is finally approaching its third minor change. It underwent a major overhaul in its second minor change in 2020, incorporating many of the latest features at the time, but four years have passed since then, and it is the only car in the current lineup that still has an outdated navigation system and outdated safety equipment. If the IS is to continue being sold, it will undergo a full model change or a minor change, and improvements in these areas will definitely be made soon. We are already looking forward to the arrival of the new IS.

IS

https://lexus.jp/models/is/