2026 Lexus IS Performance and Powertrain: 311 HP V6, RWD, and AWD Explained
The 2026 Lexus IS delivers 311 horsepower from a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 with a 5.9-second 0-60 time. That is unchanged displacement from the prior year, but the IS 350 F SPORT now comes standard with LSS+ 3.0 on every trim. This page breaks down how each powertrain works, which trim gets which drivetrain, and where to find inventory.
FEATURE OVERVIEW: WHAT MAKES THE IS 350 POWERTRAIN STAND OUT
The engine at the heart of every 2026 Lexus IS 350 is a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 with Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (Dual VVT-i) on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. The result is 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, both accessible across a wide rev range rather than concentrated at a narrow peak. Lexus tunes this engine to reward drivers who use the rev range, not just those who floor it from a stop.
What sets the IS 350 apart from turbocharged rivals is its naturally aspirated character. There is no turbo lag to manage and no power plateau after a mid-range surge. Throttle response feels linear and immediate, which directly connects the driver to what the car is doing at any speed.
The IS 350 also offers a genuine choice of drivetrain architecture. Rear-wheel drive pairs with an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic. All-wheel drive pairs with a 6-speed automatic. Both include paddle shifters. The two setups produce different personalities, and buyers in Riverside or anywhere across the group's market can pick the one that matches how they drive.
2026 Lexus IS overview and trim comparison
HOW IT WORKS: THE TWO POWERTRAIN CONFIGURATIONS EXPLAINED
REAR-WHEEL DRIVE WITH 8-SPEED SPORT DIRECT SHIFT
The RWD IS 350 uses an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic that is built to shorten the gap between driver input and gear change. Lexus engineers the transmission to prioritize downshift speed under braking, so the car enters a corner already in the right gear. The result is a 5.9-second 0-60 mph run, which places the IS 350 firmly in sport sedan territory.
The RWD chassis puts power at the rear axle only, which creates the classic rear-drive handling balance. Under normal driving the rear tires carry the acceleration load while the front wheels steer without torque interference. On sweeping freeway on-ramps, a common feature of Southern California commuting, that balance gives the IS a planted, communicative feel.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WITH 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC
The AWD IS 350 uses a rear-biased all-wheel drive system paired with a 6-speed paddle-shifted automatic. The rear-bias is deliberate: the system sends most torque to the rear axle by default and only redistributes to the front when traction conditions demand it. The driver still gets a rear-drive feel the majority of the time, with the security of AWD when road surfaces change.
The 6-speed AWD transmission is a different calibration than the 8-speed RWD unit, tuned to work with the AWD torque management logic. Both versions deliver the same 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2026 Lexus IS
The EPA rates the IS 350 at 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg regardless of drivetrain configuration.
ACROSS THE TRIMS: WHICH POWERTRAIN COMES WITH WHICH TRIM
The 2026 IS 350 lineup offers four primary trim configurations plus a limited Special Appearance Package.
| Model | Transmission | Drivetrain | Interior / Comfort | Performance Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS 350 F SPORT Design | 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic with paddle shifters | Rear-wheel drive | NuLuxe interior trim; heated front seats; dual-zone climate control | — |
| IS 350 F SPORT Design AWD | 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters | All-wheel drive | Same interior content as the RWD F SPORT Design | — |
| IS 350 F SPORT | 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic with paddle shifters | Rear-wheel drive | F SPORT bolstered, heated, and ventilated front seats; F SPORT power-adjustable heated steering wheel; aluminum sport pedals | Available Adaptive Variable Suspension |
| IS 350 F SPORT AWD | 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters | All-wheel drive | Same F SPORT interior upgrades as the RWD F SPORT | Available Adaptive Variable Suspension |
SPECIAL APPEARANCE PACKAGE (RWD AND AWD)
- Adaptive Variable Suspension standard
- 19-inch BBS forged alloy wheels with Black finish
- Triple-Beam LED headlamps
- Hakugin Matte White exterior, limited units in North America
The Adaptive Variable Suspension is available on F SPORT trims and standard on the Special Appearance Package. It adjusts damping force continuously based on road surface input and driver behavior, keeping the body composed without sacrificing steering feel.
Compare IS 350 F SPORT vs F SPORT Design
REAL-WORLD BENEFIT: WHAT THIS POWERTRAIN DOES FOR THE OWNER EVERY DAY
A 311 hp naturally aspirated V6 is not an engine that demands attention to stay in a specific power band. On a daily commute through Riverside, the IS 350 responds to light throttle inputs with smooth, measured acceleration. At highway speeds, passing power arrives without a noticeable delay. The linear throttle feel makes the car easy to place in traffic and relaxed to drive slowly.
The 8-speed transmission on RWD trims also enables a meaningful improvement in fuel efficiency at cruise. With eight ratios to work with, the gearbox keeps engine rpm low on the freeway, which supports the 27 mpg highway rating.
For drivers who use the IS on a weekend canyon run or a longer stretch of open road, the rear-drive balance of the RWD trims rewards deliberate cornering inputs. The car rotates cleanly when a driver trails off the brakes into a corner. The AWD versions provide that same 311 hp with broader grip confidence across wet pavement or uneven surfaces, which matters in the evening when desert temperatures drop and roads cool quickly.
The Adaptive Variable Suspension, available on F SPORT trims, tightens the connection between the driver and the road further. It continuously reads body motion and surface feedback, then adjusts damping in real time. In everyday traffic, the suspension stays compliant. On a spirited drive, it firms up without the driver needing to change a mode.
2026 Lexus IS safety and technology features
HOW IT COMPARES: IS 350 POWERTRAIN IN CONTEXT
The IS 350's 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 occupies a distinct position in the compact sport sedan segment. Most rivals in this class have moved to turbocharged 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engines. The naturally aspirated approach trades peak torque numbers for a throttle feel that turbocharged setups can only approximate.
The IS 350 produces 311 hp without a turbocharger, intercooler, or forced-induction complexity. That means the power delivery profile is predictable and the engine character remains consistent from a cold start to a fully warm state.
The 5.9-second 0-60 figure places the IS 350 RWD competitively within the segment. Rear-drive sport sedans at this power level typically target drivers who value handling balance over straight-line speed, and the IS 350 aligns with that priority. The AWD version trades a small fraction of that raw feel for broader traction capability without losing the rear-biased tuning that keeps the IS from feeling like a front-drive sedan wearing a sport badge.
SEE THE 2026 LEXUS IS AT LEXUS OF RIVERSIDE
Lexus of Riverside carries the full IS 350 lineup, including both RWD and AWD configurations across F SPORT Design and F SPORT trims. If the 311 hp V6 and the choice between an 8-speed RWD setup or a rear-biased AWD system matters to your next purchase, the inventory at Riverside lets you compare both in person. The team can walk through which transmission and drivetrain pairing fits the way you actually drive.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ENGINE DOES THE 2026 LEXUS IS USE?
The 2026 Lexus IS uses a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated DOHC V6 with Dual VVT-i, producing 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
WHAT IS THE 0-60 TIME FOR THE 2026 LEXUS IS 350?
The RWD IS 350 reaches 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. That figure applies to the rear-wheel drive variants paired with the 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission.
WHAT TRANSMISSION DOES THE 2026 LEXUS IS 350 COME WITH?
The RWD IS 350 uses an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic with paddle shifters. The AWD IS 350 uses a 6-speed automatic also with paddle shifters. Both transmissions are tuned for the IS 350's specific drivetrain configuration.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IS 350 F SPORT DESIGN AND THE IS 350 F SPORT?
Both share the same 311 hp V6 and drivetrain options. The IS 350 F SPORT adds F SPORT bolstered, heated, and ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, and access to the available Adaptive Variable Suspension. The F SPORT Design is the entry point into the IS 350 lineup with NuLuxe interior trim and heated front seats.
WHAT IS THE FUEL ECONOMY OF THE 2026 LEXUS IS 350?
The EPA rates the 2026 Lexus IS 350 at 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. That rating applies across both the RWD and AWD configurations.
WHAT IS THE ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION ON THE 2026 IS 350?
The Adaptive Variable Suspension is a damping system that continuously adjusts based on road surface conditions and driver inputs. It is available on IS 350 F SPORT trims and standard on the Special Appearance Package. It allows the suspension to stay comfortable in daily driving while firming up for spirited performance without requiring a manual mode switch.
DOES THE 2026 LEXUS IS 350 AWD STILL FEEL LIKE A REAR-WHEEL DRIVE CAR?
Yes. The IS 350 AWD uses a rear-biased all-wheel drive system that sends the majority of torque to the rear axle under normal conditions. Power shifts to the front only when surface traction requires it, preserving much of the handling balance that makes the IS 350 drive like a rear-drive sport sedan.
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