By Tara McDonough × Vaughn Lowery
As of late, 360 MAGAZINE took a road trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs in the new 2019 Lexus IS 350 F Sport. The Friday midday drive took around 3 hours with heavy traffic and the Lexus handled like a dream, providing a comfortable and quiet ride.
With a red carpet ready exterior combined with the public presentation and speed of a cheetah, the $53,000 2019 Lexus IS 350 F Sport effortlessly combines luxury and performance. The clear and alluring looking vehicle makes a bold statement for Lexus brand sedans. The vehicle is intuitive and dynamic with brakes that feel stronger and suspension that feels tighter.
PERFORMANCE
The IS 350 F Sport gets a combined 23 mpg city/hwy. It uses 4.3 gallons per 100 miles. With a 311 horsepower and 280 pound-ft of torque, the Lexus leaps across the pavement, while maintaining a smooth ride. The vehicle is fitted out with a 3.5-liter V6 24-valve, dual overhead cam, direct injection, adaptive variable suspension and variable timing intelligent wide intake and exhaust. It boasts an 8-speed sport shift transmission with driving modes such as ECO, normal, sport and snow. The visibility and force in a car this size is impressive combined with less road vibration and responsive brakes. Very reminiscent of the 2003 Infiniti G35, Lexus really does it all in this 2019 IS 350 F Sport.
EXTERIOR
The appearance of the IS 350 F Sport combines dark chrome with a pronounced mesh grille which pairs nicely with its large black 18’’ split 5-spoke wheels. The motorcar is a compact and speed oriented vehicle enhanced with triple beam headlights.
INTERIOR
The inside holds a geometric style allowing for a sturdy yet cozy appearance. The sharp black interior is matched with leather and imitation grain wood paneling. It’s bolstered F Sport seating is heated and ventilated as well. In addition to its leather stitching, the left and right positions of the steering wheel are manually heated as well. This model comes with the classic F Sport gauge which which is controlled by the tinge of a button. Back seats fold down for additional storage, making the IS 350 F Sport the only Lexus Sedan model with the option.
SAFETY & TECHNOLOGY
The Lexus IS 350 F Sport received government 5-Star Safety Ratings in Overall Vehicle Score, Frontal Crash, Side and Rollover. It owes its safety capabilities mainly to the technology implanted into it.
Just a few aspects of the Lexus’s technology which works to ensure the safety of passengers are it’s blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, it’s intuitive parking assist and the Lexus Enform Safety Connect & Service Connect. Other mentionable features include the Lexus Safety System+ which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, high speed-dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and intelligent high beam headlights. This model also takes into account the safety of our environment with a Fuel Economy & Greenhouse Gas Rating of 5 due to it’s eco mode gas saver. Due to this feature the 360 team was able to race from Los Angeles to Palm Springs and back with animalistic stamina and no need to refill the tank.
The IS 350 F Sport Model also comes equipped with a Mark Levinson audio which includes a navigation System with 10.3-in Color Multimedia Display, Mark Levinson 15 speaker and 835 Watt, 5.1-channel Surround Sound Audio System. In addition to the audio package the model comes with voice command, siri eyes free and Scout GPS Link TurnStrem(™).
CONCLUSION
The Lexus IS 350 F Sport is a vehicle made for successful self-motivated individuals who have a strong appreciation for extremely dynamic vehicles while additionally having the capabilities to comfortably seat five. Nevertheless, Lexus truly has found a means to win back car enthusiasts with this newly imagined entry level sports sedan.
