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Test Drive: 2022 Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced

2022 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD Advanced in Cardiff Green (A $500 option)

2022 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD Advanced

Miles driven: 447

Fuel used: 21.5 gallons

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	B
Power and Performance	B
Fit and Finish	A
Fuel Economy	C+
Value	A

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	A
Tall Guy	A

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	300-hp 2.5L
Engine Type	Turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	All-wheel drive

Real-world fuel economy: 20.8 mpg

Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22/28/24 (mpg city, highway, combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas recommended

Base price: $41,000 (not including $1045 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Cardiff Green paint ($500), Select Package ($4000), Advanced Package ($4150)

Price as tested: $50,695

Quick Hits

The great: Posh, comfortable cabin; quietness; long list of available comfort and convenience features

The good: Respectable acceleration from 4-cylinder engine; confident, distinctive styling; competitive pricing

The not so good: Our mediocre observed fuel economy trailed EPA estimates; some control-interface quirks

More Genesis GV70 price and availability information

John Biel

Perhaps Genesis mislabeled its brand-new premium-compact SUV by calling it the GV70. It is derived from the platform of the G70 sedan and styled in the same vein. But the available engines, rotary-dial gear selector, and console dial for the infotainment system are straight out of the midsize G80 sedan and GV80 sport-utility. Maybe the newcomer ought to really be called the GV75.

Of course, there are numbers that truly are more important to shoppers and we’ll get to them by and by. What really counts is that with the GV70 Genesis has created an excellent, value-packed entry in this busy market segment.

The Genesis GV70 launches for 2022 as the second crossover SUV in the growing Genesis-brand product lineup; in size and price, it slots in below the midsize Genesis GV80, which debuted for 2021.

Riding a wheelbase of 113.2 inches and ranging 185.6 inches from bumper to bumper, the 5-passenger GV70 is, respectively, 3.1 and 9.1 inches shorter in those categories than the GV80 that’s set up to carry seven in some models. Where the G70 premium-compact sedan offers the choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, the GV70 engines are a similarly aspirated 2.5-liter four and 3.5-liter V6.

All-wheel drive is standard in every GV70. Prices (with delivery) begin at $42,045 for the base 4-cylinder version and rise to $63,545 for the V6 Sport Prestige. Consumer Guide sampled a 2.5-equipped Advanced—it sits second from the top of four 4-cylinder models—with a starting price of $50,195. Only a spray of Cardiff Green paint nudged the final tab to $50,695.

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The GV70’s interior is dazzling in terms of both design and materials. The infotainment system can be controlled via a center-console dial (which is unfortunately easy to grab when you intend to use the rotary-dial gear selector mounted just aft of it) or the extra-wide, 14.5-inch high-definition touchscreen.

Typically for a Genesis, trim levels are treated as packages added to the core model. To get two steps up from the base vehicle, CG’s tester first had to absorb Select equipment (19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, 16-speaker Lexicon premium audio, ventilated front seats, and brushed-aluminum interior accents). Then came the Advanced package with leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, interior trim with a “Waveline” pattern, surround-view monitor, blind-spot view monitor, front parking-distance warning, rear parking-collision avoidance, Remote Smart Parking Assist (to jockey the vehicle in and out of tight spaces while the driver stands outside), and advanced rear-occupant alert.

Test Drive: 2022 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Advanced

There’s ample space in the GV70’s front seats, but the rear-seat legroom and headroom can be tight for adults.

All that is the frosting on the cake. It builds on GV70 basics like LED headlights and taillights, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats with power adjustment, dual-zone automatic climate control, front and rear 12-volt power outlets, and hands-free liftgate. Tech items include an infotainment system with 14.5-inch screen, navigation, satellite and HD radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility; dual front and rear USB ports; wireless device charging; and fingerprint recognition for one-touch starting. Safety and driving assists consist of adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping and following assist, rear parking-distance warning, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring.

First Spin: 2022 Lexus NX

The GV70’s cargo volume is a bit better than most premium compact SUV rivals–there’s 28.9 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, which grows to 56.8 cubic feet when the second-row seat backs are folded.

The Advanced’s luxury additions fill out a cabin that’s pretty lush for the price, with lots of soft-touch material—even far down on the doors past the point at which lots of other manufacturers default to plastic. Knurled surfaces adorn the ends of the wiper and light-control stalks, steering-wheel thumb buttons, and the transmission selector dial. Metal accents brighten the doors, dash, console, and steering wheel. The big infotainment display atop the instrument panel is vibrant, easily legible, and can show two things at once (for instance radio settings and navigation map). Fortunately, it is a touchscreen, which means you don’t have to use the remote console controller—and this one reminds us a little of the Lexus Remote Touch get-up that we’ve never particularly liked. By the way, it’s uncanny how easy it is to reach this round controller when you really want the trans selector. Easy-working temperature dials mix with numerous buttons for climate control.

Quick Spin: 2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced

A 300-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is GV70’s base engine; a 375-hp turbo 3.5-liter V6 is also available. Choosing the Select package upgrades the standard 18-inch wheels to 19-inch alloys.

Comfortable seats welcome four adults. The front row is roomy; the second row slightly less so—but it would be wrong to call it cramped. Headroom is quite good, too, and driver sightlines are fairly unobstructed. Personal-item storage is accomplished in a large glove box, decent covered console bin, door pockets with bottle holders, and net pouches behind the front seats. Exposed cup holders are found in the console and the pull-down center armrest in the rear seat.

Overall cargo space is good, even if the rakish rear shape might stand in the way of certain loading options. The cargo bay holds at least 28.9 cubic feet of stuff. Drop the 60/40-split rear seats, which fold absolutely flush with the load floor, and a further 28 cubic feet open up.

Quick Spin: 2021 Volvo XC60 Recharge

The GV70’s attractively athletic body shape is highlighted by nicely executed styling details, such as the Genesis brand’s signature shield-shaped grille and slim “Quad Lamp” LED headlights and taillights.

The 2.5 engine, rated at 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, is attached to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powerteam is an eminently competent pairing for moderately lively performance that gets a little zestier (and a touch louder) in “Sport” mode, with its quicker throttle response and more patient upshifts. Still, you can happily cruise all day in subtler “Comfort” mode. “Eco” and “Custom” settings are available as well. We wish the GV70 was a little stingier with gas—premium, wouldn’t you know. EPA ratings are 22 mpg in city driving, 28 on the highway, and 24 combined. When this driver put 81.5 miles on the test vehicle—with 69 percent city-style operation—it returned just 20.3 mpg.

With a suspension that’s a retuned version of the G70’s front struts and multilink rear, ride quality is luxury-brand good, with fine bump absorption and isolation from road noise. Steering is nicely weighted and responsive in the Comfort setting. Maybe the more resistant Sport-mode steering is a help on twisty roads where you wouldn’t want to overdo inputs, but in lazier urban-expressway driving it just feels heavy. Brakes are easy to modulate and predictably reliable.

The inaugural GV70 finds its strength in numbers—the number of things it does right. That would be true no matter what number Genesis assigned to it.

First Spin: 2022 Infiniti QX55

The new-for-2022 Genesis GV70 might be the Genesis brand’s most impressive vehicle so far; it delivers an athletic driving character, attractive styling inside and out, and a high level of luxury and available technology features, all at prices that handily undercut its primary European luxury-brand rivals.

Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast

Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced Gallery

Click below for enlarged images.

Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced

Meet the 2022 Consumer Guide Best Buys

Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced

Car Stuff Podcast

Written by: The Daily Drive staff on December 22, 2021.

Test Drive: 2021 BMW 430i xDrive Coupe

2021 BMW 430i xDrive Coupe in Portimao Blue Metallic (a $550 option)

2021 BMW 430i xDrive Coupe

Class: Premium Sporty/Performance Car

Miles driven: 265

Fuel used: 9.8 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 27.0 mpg

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	B-
Power and Performance	B+
Fit and Finish	A-
Fuel Economy	B+
Value	C+

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	B+
Tall Guy	B-

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	255-hp 2.0-liter
Engine Type	Turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Driving mix: 40% city, 60% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 24/33/27 (mpg city, highway, combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas recommended

Base price: $47,600 (not including $995 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Portimao Blue Metallic paint ($550), black leather w/ blue stitching ($1450), Dynamic Handling Package ($2450), M Sport Package ($3800), Premium Package ($2300), Adaptive M Suspension ($700), wireless charging ($500), Harman Kardon surround-sound audio ($875)

Price as tested: $61, 220

More 4-Series price and availability information

Quick Hits

The great: Confident power with surprisingly good fuel economy for a sporty luxury coupe; upscale interior

The good: Better-than-expected rear-seat space

The not so good: Driving personality isn’t quite as athletic/communicative as we’d hope for a BMW; polarizing front-end styling; options drive up bottom-line prices

John Biel

When does criticizing something by degrees here and degrees there add up to fully finding fault with it? How many accumulated quibbles and picked nits does it take tip the balance between simple observation and outright disappointment? The redesigned 2021 BMW 430i xDrive makes you ponder these questions.

None of the Consumer Guide editors who drove the Portimao Blue Metallic all-wheel-drive coupe entrusted to their care found it irredeemably bad. Most of the restyling on a body 5.2 inches longer than its predecessor is nice, even if the huge “twin-kidney” grille openings have elicited a healthy share of derision. Engine output has been increased—nobody ever complains about that—and technology features have been added to this denizen of CG’s premium sporty/performance class. The 430i coupe mixes sportiness with the practicality of useful rear-seat and trunk space, and it can be surprisingly respectful of a gallon of gasoline.

BMW’s 4-Series coupes and convertibles are redesigned for 2021 on the basic platform that their 3-Series sedan sibling adopted for 2019. The lineup consists of 4-cylinder 430i models and 6-cylinder M440i models, each with a choice of rear-wheel drive or “xDrive” all-wheel drive. Serious high-performance buyers can choose the M4.

At the wheel, however, this two-door car based off the 3-Series sedan architecture in use since 2019 lacks the finely honed steering and ride sensations that made BMWs the self-proclaimed “Ultimate Driving Machine.” Plus, it seems to take a lot of expense-larding add-ons to truly get to levels of performance and luxury that a buyer might expect from a compact-sized car that starts at $48,595 with delivery.

6 Cool Things about the 2021 BMW M5 Competition

The 4-Series’s clean, sophisticated dashboard layout is shared with 3-Series models. The console houses the engine start/stop button, infotainment control interface, drive-mode selector buttons, and electronic parking brake switch.

One of the barbs that’s been directed at the 4-Series—particularly the closed body—is that BMW went out and designed itself a nice Ford Mustang. From some angles this pointed analogy is apt. The following comparison of manufacturer-supplied dimensions shows how that translates under the skin:

BMW 430i Ford Mustang

coupe EcoBoost coupe

Wheelbase (in.) 112.2 107.1

Total length (in.) 187.9 188.9

Width w/o mirrors (in.) 72.9 75.4

Headroom, ft/rr (in.) 38.0/35.2 37.6/34.8

Legroom, ft/rr (in.) 41.8/34.5 45.1/29.0

Shoulder room, ft/rr (in.) 55.1/51.0 56.3/51.9

Trunk capacity (cu ft) 12.0 13.5

Test Drive: 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

The 430i is the entry point to the 4-Series, with M440i xDrive and M4 models above it. Unlike them, the 430 has a 4-cylinder engine, displacing two liters and turbocharged to deliver 255 horsepower at 5000-6500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque from 1550 to 4400 revs. That’s a pick-up of seven ponies from 2020 but 37 more lb-ft of twist that help launch the 430i xDrive to what BMW says is a 0-60-mph sprint in 5.3 seconds—0.2 faster than the rear-wheel-drive 430i that costs $2000 less. Working with an 8-speed automatic that is the sole transmission choice, the powerplant makes for lively driving, especially in highway cruising when quick trans kickdown produces instant action. Selecting “Sport” mode changes shift and throttle profiles and teases out a nice sound.

Test Drive: 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

There’s a respectable 12 cubic feet of cargo space in the 430i’s trunk.

The automatic stop/start fires back up a little rougher than we’d like but the BMW four has the tools to be fairly fuel efficient. This driver booked 26.7 mpg from a 72.1-mile test stint that included 58 percent city-style operation. That’s right up to the EPA combined-mileage projection of 27 mpg, which is bracketed by estimates of 24 mpg in city driving and 33 on the highway. Considering that it burns premium gas, owners certainly will welcome this kind of metabolism.

It’s the other things that go on while the 430i is frugally zipping along that conjure up complaints. Steering remains responsive, but BMWs used to let you sense every inch of pavement passing beneath their tires as they changed course. Now models like the one CG tested filter out too much of that experience. You suspect there’s still a road underneath, and you trust the car is doing its job at staying on it. Going to Sport mode adds a bit more restraint to the steering, just making it a little harder but no more tactile. Ride, too, seems less tuned to responding to the topography—long a Bimmer virtue—than to trying to ignore it. Among the test car’s $12,625 in options were an adaptive suspension, M Sport Package with variable sport steering, and Dynamic Handling Package with an M Sport limited-slip differential and larger brakes. Though not exactly linear in action, the bigger binders stop the car with authority.

The cabin is cushy when dressed up with extra-cost leather upholstery stitched in blue thread, and it’s roomy enough in front to ward off sport-coupe claustrophobia. The real surprise is that there’s space in the rear seat to fit a considerable slice of the adult population. There’s enough headroom for folks up to 5-feet-10.5 to sit upright (take it from a guy who’s that size), and enough legroom to make it worth their while to try. Other signs that they’re welcome back there are rear-seat controls for the tri-zone automatic climate control; soft-surface sidewall armrests; and storage options including net pouches on the backs of the front seats, cup holders in the pull-down center armrest, and bottle holders built into the side panels. Rear seats are split 60/40 and retract nearly flat with the trunk floor to expand cargo flexibility. Drivers will find fairly good sightlines.

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The 430i’s turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine supplies excellent acceleration; it feels stronger than its 255-hp rating suggests. Nineteen-inch “M” wheels on performance tires are standard equipment.

However, not everything that makes this grand tourer grand is built in. It takes the $2300 Premium Package to pump in heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry, ambient lighting, a head-up display, and the configurable “Live Cockpit Pro” virtual instrument cluster. Wireless charging for smartphones commands another $500, and surround-sound audio by Harman Kardon sells for $875. Infotainment (including standard navigation) rests with iDrive 7.0, one of the remotely controlled systems that luxury brands love to death. As it stands, BMW’s is less complicated than some for doing the things you’ll ask of it most often, but there are still plenty of menus to plumb for those who get their kicks that way. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are standard, as are frontal-collision warning and emergency braking, blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and speed-limit monitoring.

Do we utterly dislike the 430i xDrive? Absolutely not. Then do we love this BMW coupe? We’ll have to get back to you on that. . . .

Test Drive: 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost

The redesigned BMW 430i has a suitably sporting powerplant and the upscale Euro ambiance expected of a BMW, but some longtime fans of the brand may find it lacks the lithe, communicative feel of of previous BMW coupes and sedans.

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Listen to the very entertaining Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

2021 BMW 430i xDrive Coupe Gallery

(Click below for enlarged images)

2021 BMW 430i

6 Cool Things about the 2021 BMW M5 Competition

2021 BMW 430i

Car Stuff Podcast

Written by: The Daily Drive staff on August 31, 2021.

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Test Drive: 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

2021 Lexus IS 350 AWD F Sport in “Iridium” silver (a $425 option)

2021 Lexus IS 350 AWD F Sport

Class: Premium Compact Car

Miles driven: 375

Fuel used: 18.0 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 20.8 mpg

Driving mix: 80% city, 20% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 19/26/22 (mpg city/highway combined)

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	C+
Power and Performance	B+
Fit and Finish	A-
Fuel Economy	C+
Value	B-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	C-
Tall Guy	C

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	311-hp 3.5L
Engine Type	V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Fuel type: Premium gas recommended

Base price: $44,900 (not including $1025 destination charge)

Options on test car: Intuitive Park Assist with Auto Braking, Rear Pedestrian Detection, and Panoramic View Mirror ($1400); F Sport Dynamic Handling Package ($3800); triple-beam LED headlamps ($1250); Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package ($2750); Premium Paint ($425); power tilt-and-slide moonroof ($1100); illuminated trunk sill ($450); rear bumper applique ($85); illuminated door sills ($425); all-weather floor liner and trunk tray ($290); door-edge guards ($140)

Price as tested: $58,040

Quick Hits

The great: Satisfying acceleration; athletic handling; cabin looks and feels sporty and high-end

The good: Improved infotainment interface for 2021; all-weather capability of AWD

The not so good: Small door openings; limited rear-seat passenger space; despite nicely executed updates, some limitations of the aging basic design and powertrain show through

More IS price and availability information

John Biel

If Lexus is just marking time in the premium-compact class, at least it’s doing so with a new watch. The IS sedan is redone—to a degree—for 2021 in ways that make what’s down deep an aging car into one that Lexus hopes will represent the brand well for at least a few more years.

With all the hot action in compact vehicles taking place in the crossover segment, it’s hard to justify a sizeable investment in a fresh platform or powertrains for a sedan. Lexus didn’t do that with the IS. But it has refined body and chassis construction, revamped the infotainment system, and reduced the model lineup.

The Lexus IS lineup undergoes a heavy refresh for 2021. Among the updates are a fortified body/chassis structure for extra rigidity, updated suspension components, and a full styling revamp that includes a sleek full-width taillight.

For this test, Consumer Guide drove an IS 350 F Sport with all-wheel drive. That alone touches on one thing that’s new for ’21. All 350s, whether rear-drive or AWD, now come with F Sport equipment—there is no non-F. Conversely, the F Sport version formerly available for the IS 300s has been dropped. That’s how the product line was trimmed by half. The test car started at $45,925 with delivery but the sticker blossomed to $58,040 with copious options.

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The basic dashboard layout is carried over from 2020, but a new and improved touchscreen infotainment system is a key upgrade. It includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, and offers an available 10.3-inch widescreen display (shown here). The console-mounted touchpad infotainment interface remains as well.

Our First Look and First Spin reports on the 2021 IS have documented the appearance and dimension modifications made to the car, as well as the chassis tweaks in pursuit of greater rigidity with less weight. The new thing that will be in drivers’ faces every time they slip behind the wheel is the altered multimedia unit. The system newly incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility to go with Amazon Alexa functionality. Just as significantly, display and operation are now on a touchscreen—though the console touchpad that used to be the sole control method remains active and at the disposal of masochists. The screen now sits more than 5 inches closer to the driver to facilitate direct, easy fingertip input, including pinch and zoom capability. Standard are an 8-inch screen, 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and Wi-Fi hotspot, but CG’s test car was built with a $2750 option package that included a 10.3-inch screen, 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio, and navigation.

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The IS has never been particularly generous in terms of passenger space. The front seat is cozy, especially for big and tall occupants, and the rear seat is best suited for kids. Circuit Red upholstery makes for an extra-sporty ambiance.

In another tech upgrade, the standard Lexus Safety System+ goes to version 2.5 with the addition of low-light pedestrian detection, daytime bicyclist detection, Intersection Turning Assist, Emergency Turning Assist for the existing collision-mitigation system, lane-tracing and road-sign assists, and curve-speed reduction for the adaptive cruise control. These are in addition to the existing lane-departure alert with steering assist and automatic headlight high-beam control.

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Trunk space is 10.8 cubic feet–not great, but on par with most premium compact car class rivals. An all-weather trunk mat is an extra-cost accessory.

The IS 350 F Sport looks the part of a sport sedan with its own blacked-out version of the spindle-shape grille, front bumper with aerodynamic enhancements, specific rear bumper, and rear lip spoiler. The 19-inch alloy wheels (a gain of one inch for ’21) have a dark-metallic finish. Inside are heated and ventilated specially bolstered front sport seats with 10-way-driver and 8-way-passenger power adjustment, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, geometric-pattern interior accents, and pedal faces trimmed in aluminum. A circular sliding-bezel instrument display changes with the driving mode. A cool-air intake (with sound generator), specific exhaust, and distinct suspension tuning round out the picture.

For a look and feel that are sportier yet, there is the $3800 Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive variable suspension and enhanced Drive Mode Select. The adaptive suspension incorporates sensors to monitor G-forces and adjust damping in turns for improved body control. The mode selections include a second “Sport” setting—“Sport S+” that firms the suspension to better resist body lean—and programmable “Custom.” Other items in the group are matte-black BBS wheels, carbon-fiber rear spoiler, and ash trim for the steering wheel and cabin accents.

With less unsprung weight to wrestle thanks to the changes in chassis components, the IS F Sport improves on what already was sharp handling paired with the added benefit of enjoyable ride. Even in base “Normal” mode ride stays composed without resorting to sponginess, and bump absorption is good. The all-wheel-drive system can push front-wheel torque distribution from 30 percent to a maximum 50 percent as conditions dictate.

As always, a 3.5-liter V6 is under the hood of the 350s, still at 311 horsepower. Acceleration is good, just not great, so it helps that the 6-speed automatic transmission kicks down quickly to assist highway passing. (Rear-drive ISes use an 8-speed trans.) Paddle shifters are included for those who seek a little more engagement. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the test car’s powerteam are 19 mpg in city driving, 26 mpg in highway use, and 22 combined. This tester’s 64.4-mile stint with 45 percent city-style operation averaged a commendable 24.4 mpg.

Quick Spin: 2021 BMW 330e

IS 350s are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 311 horsepower and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission in AWD models (rear-drive models get an 8-speed automatic). It’s one of the oldest powertrains in the premium compact car class, but it provides smooth, respectable power nonetheless. F Sport models equipped with the Dynamic Handling Package get exclusive BBS-brand 19-inch lightweight wheels in a matte-black finish.

The IS cabin is nicely put together with good distribution of soft-touch materials, though “NuLuxe” leatherette is the only available upholstery material. A lot of buttons and repetitive-push temperature controls are required for the dual-zone climate system. The sport seats place a good grip on front passengers. With a core design that dates to 2014, the story hasn’t changed for passenger room since then: Only big or tall adults riding in front may find things a little close but anybody will be squeezed in back if the front seats need to be tracked back to any great degree, and tight rear footwells don’t make exits easy.

Storage in the cabin is limited, with modest glove and console boxes and no pockets in the rear doors. The 10.8-cubic-foot-capacity trunk narrows considerably between the wheel houses. Rear seats are split 60/40. When retracted, the seat backs rest flat but at a level well above that of the trunk floor.

Time is money, it is said. By updating the timeworn IS design Lexus is still able to offer a premium-compact sedan at a competitive price.

Test Drive: 2021 Acura TLX

Newer-design rivals offer more up-to-date powertrains and available technology features, but given the age of its basic platform, the Lexus IS stacks up better overall than you might think–and its numerous upgrades for 2021 give it a more finely honed look and driving feel at a lower price point than most comparably equipped German rivals.

Check out the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Gallery

(Click below for enlarged images)

2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

First Spin: 2021 Lexus IS

2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

Written by: The Daily Drive staff on June 21, 2021.

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