Additional $1,075 delivery charges will apply.
Lexus unveiled its enhanced F 500 F Sport Performance sedan in 2021. This four-door sports sedan is a beast thanks to its rev-happy V8 that produces 472 horsepower (352 megawatts). Although pricing wasn’t disclosed at the debut, we now know that the sports sedan starts at $56,500. The total cost of the sports sedan is $57,575 if you add the $1,075 delivery fee.
This is a significant improvement over the IS 350 F Sport. However, it also means that you get significantly more power. The naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter engine has enough power to make the IS a notable four-door vehicle. The V8 IS is comparable in power to the BMW, the Mercedes AMG C63 and the Cadillac CT4V Blackwing. It also costs thousands, if not tens of thousands, less.
However, resist the temptation to shop for these models in multiple places. It might seem appealing, but our time behind the wheel the IS 500 F Sport Performance revealed that it is not the same class as sports sedans. The IS 500 F Sport Performance’s mid-four second 0-60 time and comfortable ride are better than the first string, despite its power difference. Here’s a quick comparison of the most powerful IS against its real rivals: the Mercedes AMG C43 and the BMW M340i.
Vehicle |
Powertrain |
Horsepower |
Base MSRP |
Destination |
Total price |
| Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance | 5.0L V8 / 8-spd automatic, RWD | 472 | $56,500 | $1,075 | $57,575 |
| Mercedes-AMG C43 | 3.0L V6 / 9-spd automatic, AWD | 385 | $56,500 | $1,050 | $57,550 |
| BMW M340i | 3.0L I6 / 8-spd automatic, RWD | 382 | $54,700 | $995 | $55,695 |
| Cadillac CT4-V | 2.7L I4/ 10-spd Auto, RWD | 325 | $44,895 | $1,195 | $46,090 |
| Audi S4 | 3.0L V6 / 8-spd automatic, AWD | 349 | $50,500 | $1,045 | $51,545 |
The bigger question is whether the IS 500 with power is worth the higher price compared to the IS 350 F Sport. The IS 350 costs nearly $14,000 less at $42,950, before destination fees. This is not a small amount. The IS 350 starts at $42,950 before destination fees. It feels almost the same as the IS 500 F Sport Performance. The IS 350 is the more affordable competitor to the IS 500.
The Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance will be available in dealerships by the fall 2021.