Lexus IS 300 or IS 350: which fits Orange County drivers?
The Lexus IS 350 is the IS to buy new for Orange County, and it fits the driver who wants the V6’s extra power. Lexus dropped the IS 300 for 2026, so every new IS is a 350, and Tustin Lexus in central Orange County sells it. For most daily drives, the choice comes down to drive type and grade more than engine.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Tustin. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
The IS 350 is the new IS for Orange County commutes
A new IS 300 is not sold for 2026, so the IS 350 is the new IS that fits an Orange County commute. Its 3.5-liter V6 makes 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of peak torque (Lexus, 2025).
A round trip is about 46 minutes, so the grade and drive type you pick matter more than the engine’s extra punch on most days.
How much more power does the Lexus IS 350 make than the IS 300?
The 2026 IS 350 makes 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. There is no 2026 IS 300 output to compare, because Lexus dropped that trim for 2026 (Autoblog, 2025).
That extra power is felt on the freeway on-ramp, when you need to merge into fast traffic. Both drive types carry the same 311 horsepower, so the engine is not the choice between them.
What do the IS 300 and IS 350 cost to fuel in Orange County?
The 2026 IS 350 is rated 22 mpg combined in rear-wheel drive and 22 mpg in all-wheel drive (fueleconomy.gov, 2026). No 2026 IS 300 rating exists to set beside it.
Illustratively, at 22 mpg a 1,000-mile month takes about 45 gallons (1,000 divided by 22).
How do the IS 300 and IS 350 handle Orange County freeway commutes?
Freeway delay is the real cost in this region. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute puts 2024 delay in the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Anaheim area at 137 hours and $3,935 per auto commuter, the worst figures among the 494 urban areas it measures.
Stop-and-go traffic rewards a car that pulls cleanly from a stop. Since both IS 350 drive types make the same 311 horsepower, the choice comes down to the drive type rather than the engine.
What does F SPORT add to the Lexus IS 300 and IS 350?
Both the F SPORT Design and F SPORT grades get newly styled 19-inch lightweight aluminum wheels. F SPORT adds an available rear spoiler, optional red brake calipers and a Radiant Red interior that is exclusive to F SPORT models (Lexus, 2025).
Lexus IS 300 and IS 350 power, mpg and price for Orange County buyers
The 2026 IS 350 comes in four trims, from $46,895 to $51,345 plus DPH. All four make 311 horsepower and 22 mpg combined, and no 2026 IS 300 price or rating is set beside them.
| Trim | Starting MSRP plus DPH (Lexus, 2025) | Horsepower (Lexus, 2025) | Combined mpg (fueleconomy.gov, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS 350 F SPORT Design, rear-wheel drive | $46,895 | 311 | 22 |
| IS 350 F SPORT Design AWD | $48,895 | 311 | 22 |
| IS 350 F SPORT, rear-wheel drive | $49,345 | 311 | 22 |
| IS 350 F SPORT AWD | $51,345 | 311 | 22 |
When is the Lexus IS 300 or the IS 350 the wrong choice?
The IS 300 is the wrong choice for a new buyer, because Lexus dropped it for 2026. The IS 350 is the wrong choice for a driver who needs the lowest starting price, since the entry grade starts at $46,895 plus DPH.
FAQ
Is AWD available on both the Lexus IS 300 and the IS 350?
No 2026 IS 300 is sold, so AWD is an IS 350 choice. The 2026 IS 350 comes in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, in both the F SPORT Design and F SPORT grades.
What fuel do the Lexus IS 300 and IS 350 take?
The 2026 IS 350 takes premium gasoline (fueleconomy.gov, 2026). In the Fuel Economy Guide, a “PR” in the Notes column means the manufacturer requires premium (Fuel Economy Guide, 2026).
Do the IS 300 and IS 350 have the same trunk and rear-seat space?
The 2026 IS 350 offers 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 32.2 inches of rear legroom (Edmunds, 2026). There is no 2026 IS 300 to measure against, so those space figures belong to the IS 350.
How do the warranty and included maintenance compare on the IS 300 and IS 350?
The 2026 IS 350 carries a 48-month or 50,000-mile basic warranty, a 72-month or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 72-month corrosion coverage regardless of mileage (Lexus, 2026). Every new Lexus also includes complimentary first and second scheduled maintenance, at 6 months or 5,000 miles and 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first (Lexus, 2025).
Do the IS 300 and IS 350 share the same infotainment screen and safety features?
The 2026 IS comes with a 12.3-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 now standard (Lexus, 2025). Because no 2026 IS 300 is offered, those features belong to the IS 350 grades.
How does a certified pre-owned Lexus IS compare with a new IS 300 or IS 350?
Tustin Lexus sells Certified Pre-Owned Lexus vehicles.
Why Tustin Lexus is where to buy your IS 350
Tustin Lexus sells new Lexus models, and the IS is on our new lineup. We accept trade-ins with an online appraisal tool, offer pre-owned loans, new Lexus financing and Lexus leases, and sell Certified Pre-Owned Lexus vehicles. Our Google record, as of October 2026: 4.6 stars across 3,465 reviews; 87 in 100 of them are five-star.
In a September 2026 Google review, Latrice J. wrote: “Denny was great and really did an amazing job giving me the car I wanted at the price I wanted to pay. Even when above and beyond, couldn’t have asked for a better sale!!”
In a July 2026 Google review, Jennifer T. wrote: “Steve was great! He was attentive and detailed and answered all the questions I had. The appointment was smooth and Lexus made it very easy. I would work with Steve again!”
Tustin Lexus is part of Group 1 Automotive. Start your IS 350 search at Tustin Lexus: value your trade, start an online finance application, browse the new and used inventory, then finish in store at 45 Auto Center Dr, Tustin.
Tustin Lexus answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Tustin showroom, or call (714) 368-3200.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Tustin Lexus for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.