“I am very happy with the car. I feel safe in this car. I also love the way it looks and how it feel when I drive it. I love that I can choose eco or sport depending on my personal needs.”
2020 Lexus IS: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The main change for the 2020 Lexus IS is the addition of IS 300 F SPORT and IS 350 F SPORT trims. Otherwise, this is a quiet carryover year with no major changes to the engines, safety features, cabin tech, or basic design.
About the 2020 Lexus IS
3rd generation (2014-2020), final year before the 2021 redesign.
Lexus positions the 2020 IS as its compact luxury sport sedan: an entry point into the Lexus sedan range that blends sharp styling, a driver-focused cockpit, and everyday comfort. The brand’s messaging balances two themes at once: responsive handling and power on one hand, and quiet luxury, craftsmanship, and daily usability on the other. Compared with rivals, the IS leans more toward comfort, quality, and a polished cabin feel than outright class-leading back-road aggression.
The 2020 IS ranges from the comfort-focused IS 300 to the 311-hp V6 IS 350. The F SPORT trims add a more athletic look, bolstered heated and ventilated front seats, a sliding digital gauge cluster, and sport-tuned suspension; the IS 350 F SPORT also has adaptive suspension and Sport S+ mode.
What changed, by category
Styling
IS 300 F SPORT and IS 350 F SPORT join the trim lineup. Both have distinct F SPORT exterior details, a black headliner, aluminum pedals, sport seats, and a sliding digital gauge cluster.
2020 Lexus IS specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Direct Shift | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Direct Shift | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Direct Shift | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Direct Shift |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 20–21 mpg | 20 mpg | 20–21 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 28–30 mpg | 28 mpg | 28–30 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 241–260 hp | 311 hp | 241–260 hp | 311 hp |
| Torque | 236–258 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft | 236–258 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 10.8 cu-ft | 10.8 cu-ft | 10.8 cu-ft | 10.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Memory Front Seats | ||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2020 Lexus IS compared with the 2019 model?
The 2020 Lexus IS adds IS 300 F SPORT and IS 350 F SPORT trims. Beyond those trim additions, the engines, standard safety suite, cabin technology, and basic design carry over with no major lineup-wide updates.
Is the 2020 Lexus IS substantially different from the 2019 model?
No, the 2020 Lexus IS is not substantially different from the 2019 model. It is mainly a carryover, with the two F SPORT versions joining the trim lineup as the notable change.
What engines and drivetrains does the 2020 Lexus IS have?
The 2020 Lexus IS keeps a turbocharged rear-wheel-drive IS 300, a V6 all-wheel-drive IS 300, and 311-hp V6 IS 350 models. The powertrain lineup did not receive a major update for 2020.
Does the 2020 Lexus IS have standard driver-assistance features?
Yes, every 2020 Lexus IS has the Lexus Safety System+ suite as standard equipment. There was no major safety-suite update for this model year.
Is 2020 the final year of this Lexus IS generation?
Yes, 2020 is the final model year of the third-generation Lexus IS. Lexus introduced a redesigned IS for 2021.
2020 Lexus IS Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Lexus IS.
4.2
2020 Lexus IS
(107 reviews)
“Lexus are reliable and you would not have any major problems with these vehicles”
“Amazing vehicle , the process of leasing it. The vehicle itself is easy and beautiful couldn't be happier with my decision”