- Lexus plans to turn the next IS into a dedicated EV.
- It may adopt styling cues from the 2023 LF-ZC concept.
- Output could reach 500 hp with up to 620 miles of range.
Lexus has just given the aging IS another facelift, sharpening the nose, tidying up the cabin, and revising the chassis. It keeps the familiar formula alive a little longer. Behind the scenes, though, work on a full successor is underway, and reports from Japan suggest it will arrive in 2027 as an EV-only model.
Talk of a zero-emission IS dates back to late 2021, when Lexus unveiled the Electrified Sedan concept. The LF-ZC concept that followed in 2023 offered a clearer look at a future production EV, promising a slippery shape, gigacasting manufacturing, and prismatic battery shells said to double range.
More: Japan’s Refreshed Lexus IS Gets Something You Don’t
Even as enthusiasm for EV sedans has cooled in some markets, though not all, with buyers drifting back to hybrids and governments trimming, or in the case of the US scrapping, tax incentives, Toyota has stuck to its multi-path strategy. Combustion, hybrid, and electric powertrains are all set to coexist in future models such as the Corolla.
Lexus
Despite these issues, there are signs Lexus may stick with the original EV-only vision for the next IS, echoing the brand’s recent concept-heavy direction with projects like the new LFA Concept and the six-wheeled LS Concept revealed in late 2025.
Targeting The German EV Trio
According to a report from Japan’s Best Car, the next Lexus IS will abandon internal combustion entirely and become a dedicated EV. It is expected to compete directly with the upcoming BMW i3 Neue Klasse, Audi A4 e-tron, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class EQ. All three German rivals are expected around 2027, which conveniently matches the rumored debut timing for the Lexus.
More: BMW’s New i3 Is Becoming Easier To Picture
The report suggests the production IS will draw heavily from the LF-ZC concept, adopting a low-slung silhouette that favors aerodynamics over traditional three-box sedan proportions. It is rumored to measure around 4,790 mm (188.6 inches) long, positioning it below the new Lexus ES, which has stretched to 5,140 mm (202.4 inches).
Expect Tesla-like gigacasting to feature in the manufacturing process, along with a high-tech interior packed with advanced connectivity and safety systems.
Theottle
Digital artist Theophilus Chin has previously produced speculative renderings of the next IS, blending cues from the larger ES with the proportions of the 2021 Electrified Sedan concept. The results look closer to production, while still reflecting Lexus’ current design language. That said, Toyota has signaled it will grant Lexus more creative freedom, so the final car could end up more adventurous than these illustrations suggest.
Advanced Tech Beneath The Surface
Regardless of how radical it looks, the next IS is expected to double down on EV hardware. The report points to a lineup starting with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version, topped by a dual-motor AWD flagship producing close to 500 horsepower. A steer-by-wire system and a carefully tuned chassis aligned with the “Lexus Driving Signature” philosophy are also likely.
More: Audi A4 Returns As EV With Concept TT Styling To Give BMW Something To Worry About
What is more interesting is the potential of solid-state battery technology, with range estimates exceeding 620 miles (1,000 km). If that figure proves realistic, it would make the case for a hybrid alternative harder to justify and give Lexus a meaningful edge in the premium compact EV segment.
With a rumored launch in late 2027, the new Lexus IS should already be in advanced stages of development. Do not be surprised if Lexus starts dropping more direct hints about its electric sedan plans in the near future.
Lexus
