The sun has set on another iconic V8, but that sunset was the end of 2025, when Lexus discontinued the immensely powerful IS500. So, for those who want to own a part of automotive history, there should still be a few available at dealers if you shop around. But why should you? The Lexus IS350 V6 is still around if looks and luxury are more important than power and speed.
There are a couple of reasons why the V8 Lexus IS500 is important. It is an outlier in a brand known more for comfortable luxury cars than sporty performance. Another reason is that the cars it competes with are all powered by smaller displacement turbo engines. There is nothing wrong with that, but every engine has a specific character, almost a personality, and the large displacement, high-revving, naturally aspirated mill of the IS500 has loads of very distinct character.
A Naturally Aspirated V8 In A Turbocharged World
At the heart of the IS500, you’ll find the legendary 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8. This engine stands out in an era of carefully curated boosted power. This V8 produces 472 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 395 pound-feet of torque. All this power and the incredible sound that comes with it is delivered in a linear curve, allowing drivers to explore the performance at the upper end of the tachometer.
Big V8 Vs Turbocharged Sixes
On paper, there is not that much difference between the Lexus IS500 performance and that of the BMW M3. The BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-six twin turbo makes one more horsepower at 473, while the Audi S4 has a 3.0-liter turbo V6 that delivers 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 used to have a wonderful V8 with beautiful sound, but it now has a PHEV four-cylinder, albeit one with serious power. Though the Merc is not really in the ballpark discussed here.
High-Revving Power Over Artificial Boost
The thing about cars in terms of sheer driving experience is that more power or greater speed is often achieved by using technology at the cost of character. A dual-clutch or even normal automatic transmission will give the same car greater acceleration than when fitted with a manual shift. But driving a powerful stick shift connects you to the road in a way that an automatic cannot. The boxy Volvo EX30 EV has more power and better acceleration than a Porsche Carrera. Which one will be more fun to drive?
Turbocharged German sedans have impressive mid-range boost, but they run out of puff at higher rpm, just when the driver is looking for more. The Lexus is the other way around. At 7,000 rpm, the IS500 comes alive. The engine roar is urgent, the throttle response sharp, and it is still accelerating rather than fading. This is pure mechanical perfection.
And it’s still nothing short of absolutely spectacular. With no forced induction, there’s no turbo lag or loss of steam as found with a supercharger. It’s just pure, smooth, unbridled naturally-aspirated V-8 power, all the way to its lofty 7,000+ RPM redline.
– Chris Chin for TopSpeed
A big V8 in full flight is an experience that transcends mere zero-to-sixty measures or lap times. This is the reason RAM was forced to bring back the iconic V8 for its trucks, even though the turbo six has more power and is more efficient. This is the reason the demise of the IS500 will leave a gap.
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Brutal Straight-Line Acceleration
The BMW M3 sets the standard for performance compact luxury sedans. The normal M3 has the same power as the Lexus IS500, while the brutal M3 Competition moves into another class with over 500 horsepower. The Lexus is rear-wheel drive, while the M3 has the AWD M iDrive that provides grip to all four wheels during acceleration.
Zero-To-Sixty MPH
The Lexus IS500 has been measured at 4.3 seconds for 0–60 mph. The standard BMW M3 does this in 3.9 seconds, while the Audi S4 will take about 4.4 seconds. All these times are fast, but the Lexus achieves this in the old-school way, with power coming in a smooth, controlled fashion with no sudden torque spikes to overwhelm the rear tires. And because the power keeps climbing with revs, the IS500’s power has real-world benefits when merging on the highway or passing in a tight space.
Real World Go Vs Launch Control
A Model T Ford will take less than three seconds to reach 60 mph if you were to push it off a cliff. Not very practical, but neither is the use of launch control and extreme torque management in real-world driving. The German luxury sedans tend to use launch control and all-wheel drive to achieve phenomenal acceleration. In the real world, we tend to use engine displacement, revs, and normal tire grip to accelerate in our day-to-day driving. This is what the Lexus IS500 brings.
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Value And Dollar-Per-Horsepower Superiority
You can get a Lexus IS300 from about $40,000, but the IS500 will start at just under $60,000 if you can get one. There are also some end-of-production limited editions going into the low $70,000. The BMW M3 will start at around $80,000.
Find 2025 Lexus IS 500 and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
If Horsepower Were Your Only Measure
The value and enjoyment we get out of a powerful car far exceed mere horsepower, but this metric has such a strong fascination for so many car junkies that we may as well look at it. The Lexus IS500 will start at roughly $60,000 and makes 472 horsepower. The BMW M3 will start at about $80,000 and make 473 horsepower. So each $1,000 spent on the Lexus will give you about eight horsepower, while the M3 will give you six horsepower per $1,000. This is silly, but there you go.
Ownership Costs And Long-Term Value
Purchase price is only part of the equation. Factors such as dependability will affect how much a car will cost over time. In the J.D. Power ‘US Vehicle Dependability Study’, Lexus tops the list with 140 problems per 100 vehicles, while BMW comes in at number eight with 189. Although it can vary according to model, a Lexus will generally be more dependable and cost less to run than a BMW, not to mention a Merc or Audi, both way lower down the scale.
Another factor is the cost of ownership and long-term value. These are linked because depreciation is seen as the major cost of ownership, while it will also determine how much value your car will lose over time and what you can expect to get for it over time. According to iSeeCars, the BMW M3 will depreciate by 54.2 percent over five years, while the Lexus IS500 will lose 39.2 percent of its value over the same time.
Buying A Used Lexus Sports Car: What To Watch Out For In The LC 500
Here is what you should bear in mind if you are looking to buy a used Lexus LC 500. They are great Lexus sports cars, but they do have their foibles.
Daily Usability Without Compromise
The big plus for the BMW M3 is that it has the same interior comfort and space as the normal 3 Series, just a more powerful engine and the related features that come with that. Ride quality is generally more sporty, which can translate into a harder ride, but it would be churlish to make that a negative. The M3 experience is premium rather than luxury.
The Lexus IS500 is a plush ride, real luxury in a performance package. The interior is less tech-heavy and more old-school luxurious. The Lexus has a softer ride, and the BMW has more space in the back. It is really a matter of personal choice and about $20,000.
Daily Driveability Matters
The Lexus is a luxury car that can go fast. The BMW, Mercedes-Benz AMG, and Audi S4 are fast cars falling in the premium class. The daily difference is that the Lexus is designed to do Lexus things, providing a smooth and effortless drive on the daily commute or the long road trip.
But That Is Not Why You Want A 472 Horsepower Lexus
If you wanted a quiet and staid daily drive in a luxury car, you could have bought the IS300 for about $40,000 and continue to burble happily through life. But you wanted the 472 horses because you love power and speed. You like to surprise a Mustang at the traffic light. You like to put your foot down and squeal through the curves. The V8 that revs and continues to rev, getting louder and faster all the time, is the real reason why this is the perfect daily drive for someone like you.
Sources: Lexus, BMW, J.D. Power, iSeeCars, Edmunds