2019 Lexus IS 300

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Rating6.6

Ranked #12 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$38,560 - $43,805
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 2, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Good built and impressive detailing

Rivals are less thirsty

Powertrain gets software updates

Complaint and smooth ride

Second-row legroom is really tight

Optional Lexus enform remote with Amazon Alexa and tri-beam LED headlights

Generous fuel storage capacity

Quirky infotainment interface

Silver Lining Metallic swapped by Liquid Platinum

Specs & Features

$38,560

price

241 hp @ 5800 rpm

horsepower

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2019 Lexus IS 300 Sedan is a compact sedan offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $38,560. For that price, it mainly competes with the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the Volvo S60. Between 2 trims, the IS 300 offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 capable of making 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 260 horsepower-making 3.5L V6. The former engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission whereas the latter bonds with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The IS 300 reaches 60 mph from zero in 6.8 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 5.7 seconds with the 3.5L V6. Depending on the powertrain, the IS 300 can manage a combined fuel economy of between 26 and 21 MPG. While we're on the topic of choices, the 8 striking colors the IS 300 comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

We will skip on the IS 300 with AWD and V6. Yes, it is faster than the IS 300 with RWD but we believe the Inline-4 engine is still worth it if all you are looking for is a comfortable luxury daily drive. Also, make sure to get standalone options such as heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Trims

    Base
    $38,560 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 241 hp @ 5800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 24 mpg
    F Sport
    $41,755 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 241 hp @ 5800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$38,560- $43,805

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.63

Horsepower

260 hp @ 6600 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$33,000- $45,950

Gasoline

6.93

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,900- $31,550

Gasoline

5.87

201 hp @ 6800 rpm

180 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

$38,295- $73,995

Gasoline

7.13

280 hp @ 5200 rpm

306 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$34,900- $52,250

Gasoline

7.15

252 hp @ 6200 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,550- $28,750

Gasoline

8.82

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

138 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,200- $23,700

Gasoline

6.13

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,650- $53,350

Gasoline

7.16

208 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,990- $52,400

Gasoline

7.83

255 hp @ 6200 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,100- $35,100

Gasoline

7.23

208 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

5

Read Review

2019 Lexus IS 300 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.9 sec14.5 sec-
    5.3 sec13.6 sec142 mph
    5.6 sec13.8 sec-
    5.6 sec14.1 sec130 mph
    5.9 sec--
    6 sec14.5 sec145 mph

    2019 Lexus IS 300 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      21 mpg30 mpg24 mpg17.4 gal.365.4/522 mi.
      30 mpg40 mpg34 mpg13.2 gal.396/528 mi.
      28 mpg36 mpg32 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.
      2019 Audi A4

      Ranked #3

      27 mpg34 mpg30 mpg15.3 gal.413.1/520.2 mi.
      27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/462 mi.
      26 mpg36 mpg30 mpg15.6 gal.405.6/561.6 mi.

      2019 Lexus IS 300 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        184.3 in.71.3 in.56.3 in.5.3 in.110.2 in.
        191.7 in.73 in.57 in.5.8 in.109.3 in.
        190.2 in.73.6 in.55.1 in.5 in.114.4 in.
        189.6 in.71.8 in.57.2 in.5 in.112.2 in.
        187.4 in.72.8 in.56.3 in.6 in.113.1 in.
        2019 Audi A4

        Ranked #5

        186.1 in.72.5 in.56.2 in.8 in.111 in.

        2019 Lexus IS 300 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          10.8 cu.ft.90.2 cu.ft.-
          12 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.218.9 cu.ft.
          23.3 cu.ft.93.8 cu.ft.40.9 cu.ft.
          15.1 cu.ft.95.9 cu.ft.85 cu.ft.
          13 cu.ft.130.5 cu.ft.72.2 cu.ft.
          10.5 cu.ft.93.8 cu.ft.61 cu.ft.

          2019 Lexus IS 300 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            -10.8 cu.ft.--
            48.9 cu.ft.12.6 cu.ft.48.9 cu.ft.-
            45.5 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.16.1 cu.ft.79 ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.-
            58 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.58 cu.ft.-
            15.9 cu.ft.10.8 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.-

            2019 Lexus IS 300 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              825 lbs.3583 lbs.
              905 lbs.3521 lbs.
              906 lbs.3095 lbs.
              1475 lbs.3385 lbs.
              -2762 lbs.
              865 lbs.2840 lbs.

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