The IS 350 F SPORT Design cabin in a white-and-black NuLuxe treatment. Photo: Lexus USA Newsroom.
2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT Design: Edison Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 IS 350 F SPORT Design
F SPORT Design is the entry point into the redesigned 2026 IS lineup — not a stripped-down base model, but the grade that carries the same 3.5-liter, 311-hp V6 as its pricier sibling along with the full standard tech suite: a 12.3-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound system, Gen5 Qi wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. MSRP starts at $45,500 for rear-wheel drive or $47,500 with all-wheel drive, excluding the $1,395 destination charge. It seats its front passengers in heated NuLuxe synthetic-leather, rides on standard 19-inch wheels, and gets the new-for-2026 "Forged Bamboo" interior trim accents.
What "Design" actually means on this car
On some Lexus model lines a "Design" grade signals a styling package layered onto a base trim. On the 2026 IS, F SPORT Design is the foundation of the whole lineup — the same 3.5-liter V6 making 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft that every 2026 IS carries, married to the full redesign's new 12.3-inch touchscreen and matching 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, both of which grew from a smaller unit on the outgoing car and are now standard rather than an upgrade. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 comes standard too, covering pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. None of that is held back for the pricier F SPORT grade — it's baseline equipment on the car that opens the range.
What Design doesn't get is the F SPORT grade's bolstered sport seating and suspension-focused hardware. Front seats here are heated NuLuxe synthetic leather rather than the F SPORT's heated-and-ventilated bolstered sport seats, the steering wheel isn't heated, and Design doesn't have access to the optional Handling Package's adaptive suspension. It's a genuinely comfortable, well-equipped sport sedan rather than the track-adjacent version of the same car.
What's included, and what isn't
Standard on F SPORT Design: the 3.5-liter V6, 12.3-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen, 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, Lexus Safety System+ 3.0's full suite, 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound, Gen5 Qi-standard wireless device charging, two front and two rear USB-C ports, 19-inch lightweight aluminum wheels, multi-color ambient cabin lighting, Forged Bamboo interior ornamentation on the center console and start-switch bezel, and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. All-wheel drive is available for a flat $2,000 over the rear-wheel-drive price, bringing MSRP to $47,500 before destination — and note the transmission changes with it, from an 8-speed automatic on RWD to a 6-speed automatic on AWD.
Stepping up to F SPORT costs $2,450 more at either drivetrain and swaps in the bolstered sport seats, a heated F SPORT steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, satin trim accents, a 10-way power driver's seat with memory, staggered-width performance wheels, and eligibility for the optional Handling Package. If ride comfort and standard-content value matter more to you than sport-seat bolstering and adaptive suspension access, Design is the grade that gets you the same engine and the same core tech for less money — see the F SPORT guide for the full comparison.
What buyers say
Multi-color ambient lighting comes standard on every 2026 IS grade, including F SPORT Design. Photo: Lexus USA Newsroom.
Because "F SPORT Design" and "F SPORT" both carry the IS 350 badge, most Google reviews reference the car simply as an "IS 350" without specifying grade — worth keeping in mind when reading reviews for either page. P Sob, who traded out of an old lease, wrote: "Jabril knows his stuff. Great job getting me out of my old lease and into a new IS 350. Love the car! Great job by Lexus of Edison, will definitely be back again and will refer to others." Jabril Doty is listed on the dealership's own staff page as an Internet Sales & Lease Consultant. Neil Ragbir had a similar experience buying his IS 350: "He was great at answering all our questions and very patient. After our purchase, he followed up to see if we had any questions and how we are liking the vehicle. I recommend this place and recommend Greg." Gregory Samuels appears on staff as a Master Certified consultant.
Frequently asked questions
Is the F SPORT Design a lower-power version of the IS 350?
No — both 2026 IS grades share the identical 3.5-liter V6 rated at 311 hp and 280 lb-ft. The difference between F SPORT Design and F SPORT is seating, trim, wheels, and suspension-package eligibility, not engine output.
Does F SPORT Design get the 12.3-inch touchscreen?
Yes — the 12.3-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen and matching 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are standard on every 2026 IS grade, including the entry F SPORT Design.
Can I add AWD to the F SPORT Design?
Yes, for a flat $2,000 over the rear-wheel-drive price, bringing MSRP to $47,500 before destination. AWD models use a 6-speed automatic rather than RWD's 8-speed.
What's the price difference between F SPORT Design and F SPORT?
$2,450 at either drivetrain — $45,500 vs. $47,950 on RWD, or $47,500 vs. $49,950 on AWD, all figures excluding the $1,395 destination charge.
Next step
Compare this grade directly against the IS 350 F SPORT, or move on to New Jersey-specific tax and lease math in the pricing & leasing guide. Current IS inventory is on Lexus of Edison's new-vehicle search.
MSRP figures exclude the $1,395 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Equipment and availability can change; confirm current specs with Lexus of Edison. Customer and staff references are excerpts from public Google reviews of Lexus of Edison and Lexus of Edison's published staff directory as of this writing; staff assignments can change.