The Lexus IS was redesigned for the 2013 model year, it wasn't just a big departure from the previously, much more conservative design -- it totally departed from the Lexus ethos of old with a busy but adventurous fascia and deeply tapering taillights that bled into the bottom of the rear three-quarter panel. Well, now that it's been a few years, Lexus has updated the IS to make it even more noticeable and arguably more handsome. The newly revised car just bowed at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show.

The changes are modest, and the average person on the street would have a tough time picking out the differences, but they're there and provide the IS with a nicely updated look that's still aggressive but cleaner and a tad more on the sophisticated side.

2017 Lexus IS redesign

Design changes for the 2017 Lexus IS include:

  • An eve more aggressive-looking grille that appears slightly bigger and wider at the base with sharper angles where the spindle narrows toward the Lexus grille logo.
  • Revised headlights that remove the double curves at the base in exchange for a straight horizontal one, more complimentary of the angled LED driving lights just below them.
  • Larger, now more vertical air intakes that flank the grille.
  • Updated taillights that move the reverse lights to the bottom and span nearly the full length of the unit, along with a more pronounced and angular LED pattern on top.
  • Exhaust tips are now rectangular instead of round and appear to complement the taillights better.
  • New paint colors include Deep Blue Mica and Graphite Black Glass Flake.
  • The display screen increases from 7 inches to 10.3 inches with an improved interface with "Enter" buttons alongside the touchpad. 
  • The new IS gets the Lexus Safety System +, which includes Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams and Dynamic Cruise Control. 

2017 Lexus IS rear

2017 Lexus IS Interior

The powertrains for the IS remain unchanged and include the 241 hp, 2.0-liter turbo four in the IS 200t and the 255 hp, 3.5-liter V6 in the IS 300 and the 306 hp, 3.5-liter in the IS 350. The updated car is expected to go on sale later this year. 

If you're interested in the 2017 Lexus IS, take a look at these cars we've driven recently:

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