The real IS 300-versus-IS 350 difference is the powertrain—not just the trim badge. In the 2025 U.S. market, the IS 300 RWD uses a 241-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, the IS 300 AWD uses a 260-hp V6, and the IS 350 uses a 311-hp V6. For 2026, Lexus removes the IS 300 from the U.S. lineup entirely, making the IS 350 the only new IS choice.
The biggest difference between the Lexus IS 300 and IS 350 is not the badge or the F SPORT styling—it is the engine and drivetrain combination. In the 2025 U.S. lineup, the IS 300 could mean either a 241-hp turbocharged four-cylinder with rear-wheel drive or a 260-hp V6 with all-wheel drive. The IS 350 uses a stronger version of the 3.5-liter V6, producing 311 horsepower.
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That makes the 2025 IS 300 AWD mechanically much closer to an IS 350 than the IS 300 RWD, although the IS 350 still has more power and quicker published acceleration. For 2026, the comparison changes again: Lexus no longer offers a new IS 300 in the United States. The 2026 IS lineup consists exclusively of IS 350 models.
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IS 300 vs. IS 350 at a glance
| Configuration | Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission | Drive | 0–60 mph | EPA mpg city/highway/combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 IS 300 RWD | 2.0L turbocharged inline-four | 241 hp | 258 lb-ft | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 6.9 sec. | 21/31/25 |
| 2025 IS 300 AWD | 3.5L V6 | 260 hp | 236 lb-ft | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 6.1 sec. | 19/26/22 |
| 2025 IS 350 RWD | 3.5L V6 | 311 hp | 280 lb-ft | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 5.6 sec. | 20/28/23 |
| 2025 IS 350 AWD | 3.5L V6 | 311 hp | 280 lb-ft | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 5.7 sec. | 19/26/22 |
Figures above are from Lexus’s 2025 U.S. specifications and brochure. Acceleration and fuel-economy numbers are manufacturer and EPA estimates, not independent test results.
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There are actually two very different IS 300s
Calling the IS 300 a single powertrain is the most common mistake in this comparison.
2025 IS 300 RWD: the turbo-four entry point
The rear-wheel-drive IS 300 uses a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter inline-four. It produces 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and sends power through an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission.
Lexus estimates 0–60 mph in 6.9 seconds and fuel economy at 21 mpg city, 31 highway, and 25 combined. That makes it the efficiency-oriented and least expensive route into the 2025 IS range, at least before options, destination charges, dealer pricing, and market conditions.
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2025 IS 300 AWD: a detuned V6, not an all-wheel-drive turbo-four
The all-wheel-drive IS 300 uses a 3.5-liter V6—not the 2.0-liter engine found in the RWD model. Lexus rates this V6 at 260 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Lexus describes the electronically controlled AWD system as rear-biased during normal driving, with torque sent forward when additional traction is needed. The result is a different proposition from the RWD IS 300: you get V6 character and quicker published acceleration, but less power than the IS 350 and lower fuel economy than the turbo-four.
The 2025 IS 300 AWD reaches 60 mph in a manufacturer-estimated 6.1 seconds and returns an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined. Its acceleration is 0.8 second quicker than the IS 300 RWD in Lexus’s figures, but it remains 0.4 second behind the IS 350 AWD.
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What the IS 350 adds
The IS 350 uses the same basic 3.5-liter V6 family as the 2025 IS 300 AWD, but in a higher-output configuration. It produces 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
The rear-wheel-drive IS 350 uses an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic and has a published 0–60-mph time of 5.6 seconds. The AWD model uses a six-speed automatic and reaches 60 mph in a listed 5.7 seconds. EPA estimates are 20/28/23 mpg for the IS 350 RWD and 19/26/22 mpg for the IS 350 AWD.
Compared with the IS 300 RWD, the IS 350 has 70 more horsepower, 22 lb-ft more torque, and a 1.3-second advantage in Lexus’s 0–60-mph estimates. Compared with the IS 300 AWD, it has 51 more horsepower, 44 lb-ft more torque, and a 0.4-second acceleration advantage in the AWD comparison.
Those numbers explain the real-world buying distinction without requiring unsupported claims about independent road testing: the IS 350 is the performance choice. Its extra output matters most during highway merging, passing, and enthusiastic driving. The IS 300 RWD is not necessarily inadequate for everyday use, but the IS 350 provides substantially more acceleration headroom.
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No. The IS 300 AWD is faster than the IS 300 RWD in Lexus’s published figures, but it is not an IS 350 substitute.
AWD can improve traction, especially in wet or slippery conditions, but the IS 300 AWD has a lower-output version of the V6. It also uses a six-speed automatic, while the IS 350 RWD uses an eight-speed transmission. The IS 350 AWD remains quicker on paper despite using the same six-speed-transmission layout as the IS 300 AWD.
The better way to think about the lineup is:
- IS 300 RWD: turbo-four, rear-wheel drive, best 2025 combined fuel-economy estimate.
- IS 300 AWD: lower-output V6, all-wheel drive, useful middle ground for buyers prioritizing traction.
- IS 350 RWD: highest-output engine, rear-wheel drive, quickest listed acceleration.
- IS 350 AWD: 311-hp V6 with all-weather traction and nearly the same published acceleration as the RWD model.
Trim, F SPORT, and equipment differences
Engine badge and equipment grade are separate decisions. In 2025, both the IS 300 and IS 350 could be offered with F SPORT Design or F SPORT-related configurations, depending on drivetrain, grade, and packages. Therefore, F SPORT does not automatically mean IS 350.
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F SPORT equipment can change the car’s appearance and cabin presentation with items such as more heavily bolstered seats, aluminum pedals, sport-oriented trim, and available performance-related equipment. Exact content varies by model year, drivetrain, grade, and package, so a used listing’s window sticker or original equipment list is more reliable than the badge alone.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →For the 2025 IS, Lexus said the IS 300 F SPORT and IS 350 F SPORT received standard power-folding mirrors with dark-chrome trim and dimming functionality, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, a memory package, and dark-chrome window trim. Heated steering wheels became standard on the IS 300 F SPORT Design and IS 350 F SPORT Design grades.
The mechanical upgrade remains the IS 350’s higher-output V6. An IS 300 with an attractive F SPORT package may look much like an IS 350, but it does not gain the IS 350 engine merely because it has the F SPORT designation.
What the two 2025 models share
The IS 300 and IS 350 share the same compact sport-sedan concept and much of the Lexus interior and safety equipment. Lexus listed the following as standard for 2025:
- NuLuxe seating
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- 8-way power front-passenger seat
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Apple CarPlay integration
- Android Auto compatibility
- Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
The standard touchscreen was 8 inches. A 10.3-inch display was available with navigation or the Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package. Equipment can vary by grade and package, so buyers comparing used cars should check the specific vehicle rather than assuming that every IS 300 or IS 350 has identical technology.
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Lexus materially changed the U.S. lineup for 2026. The IS is offered only as an IS 350, in F SPORT Design and F SPORT grades, with rear- or all-wheel drive. A shopper ordering a new 2026 U.S.-market IS therefore cannot choose an IS 300.
The 2026 IS retains the 311-hp 3.5-liter V6 for all U.S. versions. It also moves to Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and a standard 12.3-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen. Those features should not be presented as though they were standard on the 2025 IS 300 or IS 350.
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This creates three distinct shopping situations:
- New 2026 buyer: choose among IS 350 RWD and AWD grades and equipment levels.
- Remaining-new-inventory buyer: compare a leftover 2025 IS 300 or IS 350 against a 2026 IS 350, including the differences in technology and model-year equipment.
- Used-car buyer: verify the exact year, drivetrain, engine, transmission, and package because “IS 300” does not identify one powertrain across the lineup.
Lexus’s 2026 pricing materials place the IS 350 F SPORT Design at $46,895, the IS 350 F SPORT Design AWD at $48,895, the IS 350 F SPORT at $49,345, and the IS 350 F SPORT AWD at $51,345. The cited pricing document states that these figures include a $1,395 Delivery, Processing and Handling fee and were updated May 1, 2026. Pricing is model-year and market specific; options, taxes, registration, dealer charges, and actual transaction prices can change the final amount.
Which Lexus IS should you buy?
Choose the IS 300 RWD if value and fuel economy come first
- You want the least expensive route into a 2025-or-earlier IS, subject to the actual listing price.
- Your driving is primarily commuting and ordinary daily use.
- You prefer rear-wheel drive and do not regularly face snow or other low-traction conditions.
- The 2025 EPA estimate of 25 mpg combined is important to your decision.
This is the sensible choice when you like the IS design and cabin but do not consider maximum acceleration essential.
Choose the IS 300 AWD if traction matters more than maximum output
- You want all-wheel-drive capability for a climate with frequent rain, snow, or slippery roads.
- You prefer a V6 but do not need the IS 350’s full 311-hp output.
- You find a well-equipped IS 300 AWD at a materially better price than a comparable IS 350.
Remember that AWD does not turn this into an IS 350. It is a lower-output V6 model with a different transmission and a 6.1-second published 0–60-mph time.
Choose the IS 350 if performance is central
- You want 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
- Quick highway merging, passing, and stronger acceleration reserve matter to you.
- You plan to keep the car for years and expect the additional performance to remain meaningful.
- You are shopping new in the 2026 U.S. market, where the IS 350 is the only IS powertrain offered.
Used-buying checklist: identify the actual car
Before comparing prices, confirm these details from the VIN, window sticker, build information, or a knowledgeable seller:
- Model year: 2021–2025 IS 300 and IS 350 examples are not interchangeable with the 2026 lineup.
- Badge and drivetrain: determine whether the car is IS 300 RWD, IS 300 AWD, IS 350 RWD, or IS 350 AWD.
- Engine: the 2025 IS 300 RWD has the 2.0-liter turbo-four; the 2025 IS 300 AWD has the 3.5-liter V6.
- Transmission: RWD configurations use an eight-speed automatic in the listed 2025 comparison, while AWD configurations use a six-speed automatic.
- F SPORT grade and packages: do not infer equipment solely from exterior styling or an online listing title.
- Original pricing and equipment: compare similarly equipped vehicles, not only the model badge.
The official specifications establish the differences in power, equipment, and availability. They do not, by themselves, prove that one trim is more reliable, cheaper to insure, worth more at resale, or less expensive to maintain. Those factors depend on the specific vehicle, driver, location, condition, service history, and market.
Useful accessories: verify fitment before buying
Floor protection is a practical ownership purchase, but it should not influence the choice between IS 300 and IS 350. Lexus owner guidance says floor mats should be designed for the same model and model year and secured with the vehicle’s retaining clips. Fitment research also identifies separate rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive mat part numbers for 2021–2025 IS models.
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If you shop for Lexus IS floor mats, verify the model year, body generation, drivetrain, and retention-clip compatibility before ordering. A mat that fits an IS 300 RWD may not be the correct mat for an IS 300 AWD or IS 350 AWD.
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A trunk cargo mat can also protect the luggage area of either badge, but it is a secondary accessory. For a 2021–2025 sedan, check the exact body style and model-year fitment before buying a Lexus IS trunk mat.
Common IS 300 and IS 350 comparison mistakes
- “Every IS 300 has the four-cylinder.” Not in 2025: the IS 300 AWD has a 260-hp V6.
- “Every IS 350 is AWD.” Lexus offered both RWD and AWD versions, with different transmissions and published acceleration figures.
- “F SPORT means IS 350.” F SPORT is an equipment and appearance designation, not an engine name.
- “The 2026 screen and safety system are standard on 2025 cars.” The 2026 IS has the newer 12.3-inch interface and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0; 2025 models use the earlier equipment presentation.
- “Any Lexus IS floor mat will fit.” Confirm model year, drivetrain, and retaining clips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Lexus IS 300 have a four-cylinder engine?
The 2025 IS 300 AWD uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 260 horsepower, while the 2025 IS 300 RWD uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 241 horsepower.
Is the Lexus IS 350 only available with all-wheel drive?
No. For 2025, Lexus offered both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive IS 350 sedans. The RWD model uses an eight-speed automatic, while the AWD model uses a six-speed automatic.
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Does F SPORT mean the car is an IS 350?
No. F SPORT identifies a grade or equipment package. An IS 300 can have F SPORT equipment without receiving the IS 350’s higher-output engine.
Can you buy a new Lexus IS 300 for 2026 in the United States?
No. Lexus’s 2026 U.S. lineup includes only IS 350 models. The IS 300 comparison applies primarily to 2025-and-earlier cars, including used and remaining-new inventory.
Will any Lexus IS floor mat fit an IS 300 or IS 350?
Verify the model year, body generation, RWD or AWD drivetrain, and compatibility with the vehicle’s retaining clips. Lexus guidance calls for mats designed for the same model and model year.
The Bottom Line
For 2025, buy the IS 300 RWD for the lower-cost, more efficient entry point; choose the IS 300 AWD for all-weather traction and a lower-output V6; and choose the IS 350 for the full 311-hp performance experience. An IS 300 AWD is closer to an IS 350 mechanically than an IS 300 RWD is, but it remains slower and less powerful. For a new U.S.-market Lexus in 2026, the decision is no longer IS 300 versus IS 350—the IS 350 is the entire lineup.
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