Overview

What's New for 2013:

• Lexus Enform 2.0 service with App Suite technology, automatic Bluetooth phone book download, and HD Radio with iTunes tagging capability included with navigation system
• Ultrasonic Blue paint color for models with the F Sport package

Exterior Features
The 2013 Lexus IS Sedan is a compact 5-passenger luxury sport sedan available in IS 250, IS 350, and IS F model designations. (The IS F model is covered in a separate article.)

Standard equipment includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED taillights, power heated exterior mirrors with puddle lights, and integrated turn signal repeater lights on the side mirror caps. The IS 350 Sedan includes bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlights with LED running lights.

Interior Features
The 2013 Lexus IS Sedan is equipped with standard leather seats, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, metallic cabin accents, dual-zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, and Smart Access keyless entry with push-button start. Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio capability is also included, along with a 13-speaker sound system with a USB port, auxiliary audio input jack, and satellite radio. Models equipped with all-wheel drive also come with heated front seats.

As far as luggage capacity is concerned, the IS Sedan's trunk holds 13 cubic feet of cargo.

Optional Features
The 2013 Lexus IS Sedans can be upgraded with a number of option packages. The Premium Plus package contains perforated leather, genuine wood interior trim, and heated and ventilated front seats. To this, the Luxury package adds premium semi-aniline leather, front-seat memory settings, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, memory for the steering column position, power rear window sunshade, auto-dimming side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch aluminum wheels (RWD models) and bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlights with LED running lights (IS 250 models).

Additionally, the 2013 Lexus IS Sedan can be upgraded with an optional Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, as well as a hard-drive navigation system with real-time traffic and weather reports, reversing camera, HD Radio with iTunes tagging capability, Apps Suite technology, and voice-recognition technology.

The optional F Sport package for rear-drive models includes 18-inch wheels with a dark superchrome finish, sport suspension, unique grille design, front lip spoiler, rear decklid spoiler, and heated leather sport seats with microfiber inserts.

Additionally, the 2013 IS Sedan is offered with 18-inch aluminum wheels (rear-drive models), optional dynamic cruise control system with pre-collision braking, and an Intuitive Park Assist system. Several F Sport performance upgrades are offered through Lexus dealers, including 18- or 19-inch aluminum wheels, performance braking and suspension components, performance exhaust system, and a performance air intake system.

Under the Hood
A direct-injection, 204-horsepower, 2.5-liter V-6 engine is installed under the IS 250 Sedan's hood, while the IS 350 Sedan is equipped with a direct-injection, 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 306 horsepower. A 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard, and drives the rear wheels (RWD). Both the IS 250 and IS 350 can be equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Lexus IS Sedan are:

• IS 250 RWD: 21/30/24 mpg (city/highway/combined)
• IS 250 AWD: 21/27/23 mpg
• IS 350 RWD: 19/27/22 mpg
• IS 350 AWD: 19/26/22 mpg

Safety
The 2013 Lexus IS Sedan is equipped with 6 air bags, traction and stability control, hill-start assist system, and 4-wheel ventilated-disc anti-lock brakes with brake assist. Standard Smart Stop technology is designed to make it impossible for the car to accelerate when the brake pedal is depressed, and Lexus also includes 1 free year of Safety Connect services including Automatic Collision Notification and an Emergency Assist Button. A reversing camera and a dynamic cruise control system with pre-collision technology are optional.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not performed crash tests on the 2013 Lexus IS Sedan, except to give it a 5-star (out of 5) rating for rollover resistance. In crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus IS Sedan receives a "Good" rating in the moderate overlap frontal-impact test and in the side-impact test, an "Acceptable" rating for roof crush strength and rear-impact injury prevention, and a "Poor" rating in the new small overlap frontal-impact test.