2015 Lexus IS gets Minor Tweaks, Small Price Increase

Lexus has lightly upgraded the IS sports sedan for the 2015 model year with some new standard content and revised style.

The sole exterior styling change is the addition of new LED foglights, while the rest of the additions come to the interior. New piano black trim comes to the window switches and instrument panel, while a new Stratus Gray interior color scheme replaces the Light Gray. Also, heated and ventilated front seats have been added to the IS F Sport.

For technology, Siri Eyes Free from Apple has been added to the IS, which is compatible with the iPhone 4S and 5. The car’s backup camera now gets grid lines to help with parking and finally customers are treated to a one-year subscription to Lexus Enform Remote, which allows you to control different functions of your car, like locking and unlocking doors, remotely from your smart phone.

Mechanically, the IS remains the same, still offering a 2.5-liter V6 that makes 204 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque and a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines can be hooked up to all-wheel drive, though the car comes standard as rear-wheel drive. All models comes with a six-speed automatic except the IS350 rear-wheel drive, which gets an eight-speed automatic.

Pricing for the new car is getting a $450 boost across the board, which means the 2015 Lexus IS will start at $37,295.