2021 Lexus IS

For 2021, Lexus is giving us the brand-new Lexus IS, a whole-new generation of one of the most interesting compact luxury sedans on the market. Stylish, powerful, refined, and offered with uncompromising reliability, the Lexus IS is different from its German rivals like the 2021 Audi A4 and 2021 BMW 3 Series, and sometimes different is good.

Several improvements are on the menu for the 2021 Lexus IS lineup, and to put those improvements into perspective, we compare it with the A4 which hasn’t changed much in recent years, and the BMW 3 Series.

The 2021 Lexus IS has more options

The 2021 Lexus IS offers three engines while the A4 only offers one. Although the BMW 3 Series technically offers three engine options as well with the available hybrid, that model is almost non-existent in Canada so essentially, the Lexus offers more engine options than either the 3 Series or the A4.

First, the IS 300 variant is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that develops 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed gearbox delivers power to a rear-wheel drive setup designed for sportier driving. But for those who prefer all-wheel drive, the IS 300 has it as an option, in addition to a more powerful powertrain, a 3.5-liter six-cylinder that develops 260 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque.

For those who want to upshift to an even higher gear, the IS 350 AWD comes with a six-cylinder engine that develops 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This mill is mated to a sporty six-speed automatic transmission.

For its part, the Audi A4 offers only one powertrain which delivers 248 horsepower. The Audi A4 is not available with a rear-wheel drive which is unfortunate given that you don’t always need AWD.

As for the BMW 3 Series, it offers two engines that deliver 255 horsepower and 382 horsepower respectively. Although more power than the IS, the top-of-the-line 3 Series is considerably more expensive.

In fact, when it comes to value, the 2021 Lexus IS with its more modern interior and more refined driving dynamics and technology, has plenty of it. You’ll get more for less in a Lexus, and enjoy superior reliability as well.

2021 Lexus IS Packed with Safety Features

IS models see their cameras and radar systems improved for 2021. But arguably the biggest improvement is the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of technologies that includes the Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) ), automatic emergency braking (AEB) and pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Dynamic All-Speed ​​Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Intelligent High Beam, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert ( RCTA) are all standard safety technologies available on the Lexus IS.

Both the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series also offer safety technologies, but they are mostly optional and can increase the price quite a bit. At the end of the day, the 2021 Lexus IS is the most recent car to arrive in the compact luxury sedan segment and as such, it has the best of everything at a better price point.