The Lexus IS Refuses To Die: Special Edition Arrives For 2027

People tend to complain when a car reaches a venerable age, but with no signs of a direct replacement, is it such a bad thing that the Lexus IS survives another model year? We prefer to see the glass half full and just be happy it’s sticking around instead of following the LC and LS into the proverbial car graveyard.

In its third generation, Japan’s BMW 3 Series rival is 13 years old, and while a third facelift launched last year, the IS struggles to hide its age. For 2027, Lexus is trying to spruce things up with a Special Appearance Package painted in Envious, a new green shade that continues inside. The green stitching is applied to the seats wrapped in NuLuxe, marketing jargon for artificial leather.

Based on the IS 350 F Sport, the latest flavor comes with 19-inch forged BBS wheels and the Handling Package as standard. The latter bundles adaptive suspension with multiple drive modes, and if you go for the rear-wheel-drive version, Lexus adds a Torsen limited-slip differential.

To sweeten the pot, Toyota’s luxury brand gives the limited-run IS a Technology Package with Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, and Front Cross-Traffic Alert. Elsewhere, there’s everything from a moonroof and a power rear sunshade to a Mark Levinson sound system and triple-beam LED headlights.

There aren’t any changes under the hood, where the IS retains its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 with 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission or to both axles via a six-speed automatic.

Lexus is only selling 350 units in the United States, with pricing to be announced later this year when it arrives at dealers. The company has been selling the IS with a Special Edition or Special Appearance Package since 2022, and for the 2026 model year, it charges $61,485 for the IS 350 F Sport Special Appearance Package with rear-wheel drive. Its AWD-equipped equivalent retails for $63,095, with both painted in Hakugin Matte White.