Lexus IS300 vs IS350: which engine should you get?

Get the IS 350 if the budget stretches. Its 3.5-liter V6 makes 311 hp, it's quicker, and for 2026 it's the only IS Lexus sells in the US.

Pick a used IS 300 if fuel economy matters more than speed. Just check which IS 300 you're looking at, because the name covers two very different engines.

Which IS 300 is it?

There are three cars wearing IS 300 badges. The rear-drive IS 300 from 2018-on uses a 2.0-liter turbo four. The IS 300 AWD uses a detuned version of the 3.5-liter V6. And the original 2001-2005 IS300 has a 3.0-liter straight-six.

Wikipedia's IS history notes the turbo four arrived as the IS 200t for 2015-2017 and was renamed IS 300 for 2018. Lexus trimmed the US lineup to the IS 350 alone with the 2026 facelift, per Edmunds and Wikipedia.

Version	Engine	Output	Drive	EPA combined	2025 MSRP	Avg insurance, 2025 MY
IS 300	2.0L turbo four, 8-speed auto	241 hp, 258 lb-ft	RWD	25 mpg	$40,535	$3,224 a year
IS 300 AWD	3.5L V6, 6-speed auto	260 hp, 236 lb-ft	AWD	22 mpg	$42,535	$3,224 a year
IS 350 F Sport	3.5L V6, 8-speed auto	311 hp, 280 lb-ft	RWD	23 mpg	$45,935	$3,367 a year
IS 350 F Sport AWD	3.5L V6, 6-speed auto	311 hp, 280 lb-ft	AWD	22 mpg	$47,935	$3,367 a year

Output and EPA figures come from KBB's 2024 and 2025 spec pages. MSRPs are the 2025 figures listed by Edmunds, whose page wasn't consistent on whether destination was included. Insurance averages are from The Zebra, for a 30-year-old male driver with full coverage and a clean record, and aren't split by drivetrain.

Performance

The IS 350 is clearly quicker than the turbo IS 300. Car and Driver ran a 2021 IS 350 F Sport RWD to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and Motor Trend got 5.7, per 0-60specs.

Edmunds was slower, at 6.2 seconds for its rear-drive IS 350 F Sport. It still listed lackluster acceleration as a con, so don't expect the V6 to feel like a German turbo six.

I couldn't find a published test of the rear-drive 2.0-liter IS 300. It has 70 fewer horsepower than the IS 350 but more torque than the IS 300 AWD. Motor Trend timed a 2021 IS 300 AWD at 5.7 seconds to 60, matching its IS 350 result, which suggests the AWD launch helps.

The V6 makes its peak power at 6,600 rpm, per KBB's spec sheet, so it rewards revving in a way the turbo four doesn't. That's most of what enthusiasts mean when they say get the 350.

Running costs

The rear-drive IS 300 wins on fuel. It's rated 25 mpg combined against 23 for the rear-drive IS 350, per KBB. The AWD versions of both are rated 22.

Insurance is close. The Zebra's 2025 averages are $3,224 a year for the IS 300 and $3,367 for the IS 350, a gap of about $140. On 2021 models the gap is about $195 ($2,726 vs $2,921).

Neither is a roomy car. Edmunds gave the 2026 IS 350 a 5.7 out of 10, citing a tight back seat and limited cargo space, while praising the smooth ride, nimble handling and generous features for the money.

New in 2026

You don't get a choice. Edmunds lists four 2026 IS 350 versions: F Sport Design RWD at $45,500, F Sport Design AWD at $47,500, F Sport RWD at $47,950 and F Sport AWD at $49,950. The IS 300 and IS 500 are gone.

Lexus's September 2025 release says the 2026 car gets a restyled interior and the latest multimedia system. If you want an IS 300, you're shopping used.

The original 2001-2005 IS300

This is the car many people mean when they ask about the IS300. It's a compact rear-drive sedan with a 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE straight-six, rated at 217 hp and 218 lb-ft in Wikipedia's spec table.

It's slower than any modern IS. Car and Driver timed a 2002 five-speed manual at 7.2 seconds to 60 and an automatic at 7.6. The manual arrived for 2002, and Lexus never offered it on the SportCross wagon, per Wikipedia.

Owner complaints are few. CarComplaints lists only nine for the 2002, 2003 and 2005 model years combined, led by deteriorating or melting dashboards. The average reported repair cost for the dash was $400. At 20-plus years old, condition and records matter far more than the badge. Our rebuilt title guide lists what a good pre-purchase inspection covers.

How to decide

Decide on drive first. If you need AWD, the IS 350 F Sport Design AWD gives you 51 more horsepower than the IS 300 AWD for about $3,300 more on Edmunds' 2025 prices.
If you want rear drive and mostly commute, the turbo IS 300 saves fuel and money.
If you want the quickest IS short of the V8 IS 500, buy the rear-drive IS 350.
On any used IS, check the window sticker or VIN decode to confirm which engine it has.
Get insurance quotes on the exact car. The averages differ by less than $200 a year, but your profile may change that.

Common questions

Is the IS 350 worth it over the IS 300?

For most buyers who enjoy driving, yes. The rear-drive IS 350 makes 70 more horsepower than the turbo IS 300, gives up 2 mpg combined and costs about $140 a year more to insure on The Zebra's averages.

Does the Lexus IS 300 have a V6?

Only the AWD version. From 2018-on, the rear-drive IS 300 uses a 2.0-liter turbo four, while the IS 300 AWD uses a 260-hp 3.5-liter V6.

Is Lexus still making the IS 300?

Not for the US. For 2026 the lineup is IS 350 only, per Edmunds.

Is the 2001-2005 IS300 a good buy?

It can be, if it's been maintained. It's slower than any newer IS, but owner complaints logged on CarComplaints are few and mostly about the dashboard. Get a pre-purchase inspection on any car that old.

Sources

Featured image: 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport by Sarah Larson, CC BY 2.0. Source