The Lexus IS has been a familiar face in the luxury sedan world since 1999, known for challenging German rivals like the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes C-Class. However, the current version has been around since way back in 2013, making it feel quite dated in today’s fast-moving car market. Car enthusiasts are eagerly hoping for a brand-new model that brings back the sporty feel of the earlier IS generations.
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Recently, digital artist Theophilus Chin created stunning new illustrations that give us a peek at what a future, sexier Lexus IS could look like. These renders blend inspiration from past concepts and newer Lexus designs, hinting at potential hybrid and even fully electric options.
Key Takeaways:
- The current Lexus IS is over a decade old and due for a redesign.
- New renders imagine a sporty, modern successor based on a 2021 Lexus concept and the latest ES sedan.
- The design features a sharper look, a refined grille, and a distinctive coupe-like rear.
- The renderings suggest the next IS could offer hybrid power, moving slightly from previous EV-only speculation.
- A new IS is likely on the horizon to compete with updated rivals from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi.
Imagining the Next Lexus IS
These exciting illustrations aren’t pulled from thin air. They take cues from the Lexus Electrified Sedan Concept shown in 2021, which initially sparked talk about a potential all-electric replacement for the IS. To make the design look more ready for today’s roads, the artist, known as Theottle, integrated styling elements from the more recent 2025 Lexus ES sedan. It’s a clever mashup that brings a concept closer to something we might actually see on the street.
Sharp Looks, Refined Style
The front end shown in these speculative renders is sharp and aggressive, designed to grab attention. It features angular LED headlights that give it a focused, modern stare, paired with sporty, triangular air intakes sculpted into the bumper.
One interesting detail is a small opening on the nose, which suggests this imagined IS might pack a hybrid engine under the hood – a slight departure from the fully electric concept it’s based on. But perhaps the biggest visual upgrade here is the famous Lexus Spindle grille. In this interpretation, it looks much more refined and integrated compared to some earlier, larger versions, making the car’s face much more appealing.
Sleek Profile and Athletic Rear
Looking at the side, the car’s profile sticks closely to the radical lines and proportions of the original 2021 concept. However, it smooths things out with more conventional surfaces and character lines borrowed from the larger ES sedan. Practical touches like new alloy wheels, standard mirrors, and regular door handles make the design feel more grounded and production-ready.
Speculative rendering of the next-generation Lexus IS sedan, showing a sharp front end and refined Spindle grille
The rear is where this rendering really stands out. It features a sporty ducktail spoiler perched above a slim, full-width LED light bar. This is a distinct look compared to the fastback style of the current ES, giving this imagined IS a more athletic, coupe-like backside. The car’s “shoulders” over the rear wheels are more pronounced, and the rear window looks noticeably sportier. The design manages to keep some of that cool concept car flair while still appearing realistic enough for production.
Rear view rendering of the hypothetical new Lexus IS, highlighting the athletic coupe-like tail with a ducktail spoiler and full-width LED light bar
The 2021 Lexus Electrified Sedan Concept, showing the design inspiration for the potential next-gen Lexus IS renders
What Powers the Future IS?
While the inspiration comes from an electric concept, the subtle hints in the rendering and recent Lexus moves suggest the next IS might lean into hybrid technology. Toyota (Lexus’s parent company) remains strongly committed to offering a variety of powertrains, including hybrids. This aligns with the recent news that Lexus is sending off the powerful V8 engine in models like the IS 500 with special “Climax” and “Ultimate” editions, signaling a shift away from large naturally aspirated engines.
Given this, it’s highly probable that a new IS would offer hybrid options, and perhaps even a fully electric variant down the line, especially considering the direction the auto industry is heading, including growing demand for EVs and range-extender models in markets like China.
From Renderings to Reality?
It’s important to remember these are independent digital creations, not official Lexus designs. Production cars face many practical challenges related to engineering and manufacturing that often mean the final product looks a bit different from early concepts or renders.
Lexus hasn’t revealed much about the next IS yet, and we’re still waiting to see camouflaged test cars. However, considering the current IS has been on sale for over a decade with only two facelifts, a replacement is definitely expected soon.
Facing the Competition
Whenever a new Lexus IS arrives, it will face stiff competition. This segment is constantly evolving, especially with the push towards electrification. The next IS will need to go head-to-head with established rivals like the Audi A5, the upcoming electric ‘Neue Klasse’ BMW 3-Series and i3, and the next generations of the Mercedes C-Class (likely available in both gasoline/hybrid and electric forms). A fresh, modern design and compelling powertrain options will be crucial for the IS to stand out.
These renders offer an exciting look at what could be possible for the Lexus IS. While the final production version might differ, they capture the desire for a sportier, more visually striking successor to the long-running sedan.
What do you think of this potential future for the Lexus IS? Share your thoughts below, and check out these related articles:
- Could the Lexus IS Turn Into an EV and Shooting Brake?
- Lexus Sends Off V8-Powered Sedan With Climax Edition
