2025 Lexus IS Ultimate Edition Could Be the End for the RWD Sedan
This version seems to signify that the IS will be discontinued soon.
The Ultimate Edition is based on the IS500 and has a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 engine with 472 hp.
Lexus hasn't yet confirmed it, but the signs are pointing to the end of the road for the IS sports sedan. The new Ultimate Edition version of the V-8-powered IS500 F Sport Performance features visual tweaks and special badging, and will be a limited run of 500 units. Its impending arrival in the fall as a 2025 model signifies that there will be no 2026 IS in the U.S., and we'd be sad to lose yet another sports sedan—especially one with a naturally aspirated V-8.
The Ultimate Edition comes in a new color called Wind, and it has special matte-black 19-inch BBS wheels and red brake calipers. The interior is finished in a two-tone red and black color scheme, including red seatbelts. There's a plaque denoting each car with its number in the 500-unit series, and the scuff-plate trim is also exclusive to the Ultimate Edition.
There aren't any changes to the IS500's 472-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine or its eight-speed automatic, and the Ultimate Edition comes only with rear-wheel drive, like all other IS500s. This F Sport Performance model previously got to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds in our testing, and we ran it at our Lightning Lap track test as well.
When asked if the 2025 model year would be the last for the IS, a Lexus representative told C/D that the company "could not comment on future product plans." But we'd be surprised if the current-generation IS lives on much longer, as it debuted for the 2014 model year and received a significant refresh in 2021. But we suppose if you're going to go out, there are worse ways than with a naturally aspirated V-8 bang.
Joey Capparella
Deputy Editor, Rankings Content
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
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