2017 Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD — What You Actually Get After 60K Miles
I bought my 2017 IS 350 F Sport AWD with about 8,000 miles on it in late 2018. It now has just over 70,000. The title says "Revved Up And Ready To Roll 2017 Lexus Is 350 F Sport Awd Review" so I'll stick to that framework instead of padding this with filler. The 2GR-FKS V6 makes 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. That is adequate. Not exciting, not disappointing. The direct injection version of this engine replaced the older 2GR-FSE and got a higher compression ratio — 11.8:1 versus the old 11.3:1. The result is slightly better efficiency, marginally more power, and one additional thing you need to know about if you let this car sit for more than three weeks at a time: the fuel injectors can gum up if you are using low-quality gas or if the tank sits below a quarter tank for months. I learned this the hard way. The car wouldn't idle past 600 RPM after sitting over winter. A full fuel system cleaning with a quality additive plus a tank fill of Top Tier 91 octane fixed it. No mechanic visit needed, just patience and about $18 at AutoZone. The eight-speed automatic is the direct successor to the older six-speed Lexus used. It shifts smoothly in Comfort mode. Sport mode holds gears longer and the kickdown is immediate — not jerky, just decisive. One thing most people miss: the transmission does not like being rev-matched aggressively during downshifts unless the car is moving at least 15 mph. If you try to heel-toe at speeds, the ECU will slip the clutch to protect the synchronizers. It feels like a hesitation. It isn't a problem, it is the design.
All-wheel drive on this platform is electronically controlled. There is no center differential lock and no driver-adjustable torque split beyond what the ECU decides. Under normal conditions the car sends roughly 40% of power to the rear and 60% to the front. When the front wheels lose traction, the system can redirect up to 50/50. That is enough for light snow and wet roads. It is not enough if you plan on rock crawling. I've taken mine through two winters in upstate New York and the AWD system has been competent every time. The only edge case I hit was when the front tire pressure sensors lost calibration after a wheel rotation. The TPMS light stayed on even though all four tires were properly inflated. The fix was a $20 OBDII scanner to re-run the learning procedure. Took twelve minutes. The F Sport suspension is stiffer than the standard IS 350. That is the point. But the dampers on the 2017 model year are among the firmer setups Lexus has ever put on a sedan meant for daily driving. If you hit a pothole at 35 mph or faster, you will feel it. Every one of them. The rear springs also sag slightly over time — about half an inch of drop after 50K miles is normal. It doesn't affect handling noticeably but it changes the ride height enough that the bumper scrapes on steep driveways. I added a set of leveling spacers to the front struts. Cost about $45 and restored the original stance. Interior materials are decent. The leather is genuine but it is not the softest stuff Lexus has used. After three years, the driver's seat bolster shows wear. The dashboard is hard plastic and it shows fingerprints. The infotainment screen is small — 7 inches — and the interface lags when you try to scroll through menus while driving. Apple CarPlay is not available on the 2017 model. If you need that, you are looking at the 2018 refresh or aftermarket. I installed a Pioneer head unit. It was straightforward if you have basic wiring knowledge. Took about two hours.
Brakes are adequate but not exceptional. The stock pads last about 35,000 to 45,000 miles depending on driving style. Rotors typically need replacement around 50K. The big rotor upgrade kit from Lexus Performance Parts is available for around $600 and includes larger rotors and better pads. It improves fade resistance significantly if you drive aggressively or tow. I did not do it and I do not regret it — the stock brakes are fine for normal use. They just don't inspire confidence when you are pushing the car hard on a canyon road after a long descent. Fuel economy is rated at 19 city / 26 highway. I average about 22 combined. That is realistic. City driving in traffic drops it to 17 or 18. Highway cruising at 70 mph gets about 28. The tank holds 17.2 gallons. Range is roughly 380 miles before the low fuel warning triggers. Reliability overall has been solid. The one major issue I encountered was a failing water pump pulley bearing around 58,000 miles. It made a whining noise that got louder under acceleration. Replaced the entire water pump assembly — OEM part cost $185, aftermarket $95. Labor was about two hours for anyone with a socket set and basic knowledge of engine bay layout. The job is tight. You will need to remove the upper intake manifold to access the pump. I watched a YouTube tutorial beforehand. Still took me longer than expected because I over-torqued two bolts on the first attempt and had to back off and reseat the gasket.
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Insurance runs about $120 to $160 monthly for a clean-driving 35-year-old in a suburban area. Maintenance costs average $800 to $1,000 annually after the warranty period. That is higher than a Camry but lower than a BMW 3 Series. Parts are widely available and most independent shops can handle routine service. Dealership labor rates are steep though — expect $150 to $200 per hour at a Lexus dealer. If you are considering buying one used, check the following before signing anything: transmission fluid condition (should be reddish, not brown), brake rotor thickness (minimum 25mm front, 10mm rear), tire tread depth (F Sport rims are 19-inch and replacement tires run $150 to $250 each), and the condition of the rear control arm bushings (they crack around 60K and cause a clunk over bumps). Also verify that the adaptive variable suspension — if equipped — is functioning. The 2017 IS 350 F Sport came standard with a mode-selectable suspension that adjusts damping based on driving mode. When it fails, the car feels abnormally soft and bouncy. Replacement sensors cost about $200 each. Overall, this is a competent luxury sport sedan that does not demand constant attention. It is not thrilling in the way an M3 or C63 would be. But for daily driving, occasional back roads, and light winter use, it covers the bases well. The AWD system adds usefulness without complicating ownership. The V6 is smooth and durable if you maintain it. The F Sport styling gives it presence without being over the top. Just budget for the suspension and brake wear that comes with the sporty setup.
