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2015 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 sedan changes - What you need to know

The 2015 Lexus IS is the second year of the new generation. There are important changes Apple iPhone users might want to look for and some new amenities and trim details to note.
2015 Lexus IS 250 IS 350

The new 2015 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 model year is about to begin. Vehicles are about to be shipped to dealers, and Lexus has some improvements in mind to make the number one choice of sports sedan reviewers even better. The changes are not dramatic of course, this being the second year into the redesign. However, they may be important to buyers, so will list them very carefully. Shoppers considering pre-owned should take careful note that the 2013 and older IS sedans are of the older generation. Something that should lower their price, but not necessarily their appeal as a great pre-owned purchase.

The most important upcoming change to the IS sedan line will be the addition of the new 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine. It will eventually replace the "250" engines and it will be a very positive change in terms of power and possibly fuel economy. See stories below for details and for related IS changes to the convertible coupe and the IS F.

2015 Lexus IS Sedans – Generation Three, Year Two.
Incredibly, the new generation 2014 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 have been on sale for a year now. In that time, the car has more than doubled its sales rate and sustained that high sales rate for a full year. The IS is now the number two Lexus in terms of sales and is catching up to the ES. It is Lexus’ third most popular vehicle with the RX crossover in first place by a mile. One interesting thing that the IS did for Lexus was balance its sales of front wheel drive cars like the ES and rear wheel drive cars like the IS, GS, and LS in terms of sales numbers.

2015 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 App Changes
One change that is not simply a trim detail is the addition of Apple’s Siri Eyes Free technology. This system applies to users of iPhone 4S and 5. If you have those phones, you may want to add in a bit of extra showroom time and have the salesperson show you how the system works. It sounds pretty obvious, but our suggestion with any App is to see it in action before you buy.

2015 Lexus IS Cosmetic Changes:
- LED Fog Lamps
- More use of Piano Black trim on door switches and instrument panel
- New Stratus Gray replaces Light Gray

IS 2015 Equipment Changes:
- Heated and ventilated seats now standard on all F trims. I own an IS with this feature. Do not miss it. It is one of the best parts of the car on both hot and cold days.
- New Heated steering wheel added to AWD F-Sport models. If at all possible get a heated steering wheel. I have tested this on BMWs, and it is fantastic.
- Back-up camera now has grid lines. Sounds silly, but they really do help.
- Lexus Enform Remote now available.

In total the new changes to the Lexus IS are important, but not critical. A leftover 2014 might be configured similarly to the 2015 with the exception of the Siri feature. If you are shopping in the next few months be sure to look closely at the inventory as there will be an overlap in 2014 and 2015 models. Perhaps that means deals might be had on the ‘14s?

Related Stories:
Lexus IS convertibles to move to the new RC coupe platform by 2016
2015 Lexus V8 RC F coupe will mean the end of the IS F sedan
The 2015 Lexus IS 200t will strike the perfect balance

Automotive News
Lexus

Comments

tiny (not verified)    July 31, 2014 - 12:02PM

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Do you even proof-read what you write? There are so many inconsistencies in the article. For example, 2nd in sales, catching up to ES. RX is number 1... math? Then the discussion about the 2.0L 4 cyl which hasn't been slated for 2015, which you mention and then drop.

John Goreham    July 31, 2014 - 12:56PM

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Tiny, I appreciate this. I was not clear in my writing and I should do better. I meant to say that the IS was the number two "car" Lexus sells, which is true. My follow up sentence was meant to clarify that, but it was not enough. The follow up was " It is Lexus’ third most popular vehicle with the RX crossover in first place by a mile." I cannot tell you for sure which model year the Lexus IS 200t will be introduced as. I asked Lexus this directly yesterday at an event at which I drove the new turbo engine in the NX. The engine is good. Better than the "250" in many surprising ways. Will it be a 2015? Or a 2016? I think a lot depends on the production volume of the NX. Trust me. The 250 is going away and the 200t is coming. The model year is anyone's guess. Remember, Lexus currently sells a 2014 IS F and a 2015 IS 350 sedan. Toyota calls its current Camry a "2014.5." Model years are somewhat arbitrary. In the "Related Stories" I go into the detail I can on the 200t. Your comment was a good reminder for me to be more thorough in my proofing and more clear overall. Thanks for reading.