Lexus IS 350 F SPORT Design or F SPORT: which fits Orange County drivers?
Pick the IS 350 F SPORT Design if the lower starting MSRP decides it for your commute. Pick the IS 350 F SPORT if the added seat and interior equipment matters more than the price step. Tustin Lexus sells new IS models to central Orange County drivers.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Tustin. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Pick the IS 350 F SPORT Design for price, the F SPORT for equipment
The IS 350 F SPORT Design is the lower-priced of the two, with a 2026 starting MSRP of $46,895 against $49,345 for the F SPORT. Both trims run the same 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, and both seat five. The choice comes down to whether that $2,450 gap is worth more to you than the extra equipment on the F SPORT.
For a daily commute on the 5, the Design gets you a full IS with the same engine and the same five seats. You are not giving up power or room to pay less. The F SPORT spends the difference on the cabin and the sport hardware, so the question is what you will use every day.
Pick the Design if you want the lowest entry price in the IS lineup and the commute is the main job. Pick the F SPORT if you sit in the seat for long freeway stretches and want the added interior equipment. Either way, you can compare both in person at Tustin Lexus at 45 Auto Center Dr, Tustin, CA 92782.
What do the IS 350 F SPORT Design and F SPORT cost?
The 2026 IS 350 F SPORT Design starts at $46,895, and the F SPORT starts at $49,345. The all-wheel-drive versions run $48,895 for the Design AWD and $51,345 for the F SPORT AWD. In each drivetrain, the F SPORT trim is $2,450 above the Design.
Those are the manufacturer’s starting prices, so the figure you pay depends on options, fees and taxes. In Tustin, California sales and use tax starts at a 7.25% state rate, and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration says most areas add local district taxes from 0.10% to 2.00%.
Tustin Lexus sells new Lexus and leases them, so you can set up a lease on either trim. We also offer pre-owned loans and new Lexus financing, and we accept trade-ins with an online appraisal tool. Bring your current car’s numbers, and the step to take next is the appraisal.
What wheels and handling options come with each IS 350 trim?
The IS 350 F SPORT Design comes with the standard wheels and suspension for this trim, and the F SPORT is the trim built around the sport hardware. Check the window sticker on the exact car you are considering, because wheel and handling packages change what each trim includes.
If you spend most of your time in traffic, the Design gives you the same engine and the lower price.
What seat and cabin features separate the two IS 350 trims?
Both trims seat five and share the same 44.8-inch first-row legroom and 32.2-inch second-row legroom. The seat and cabin equipment is where the F SPORT spends its extra money, so this is the section to read if you plan to sit in the car for long freeway drives.
Orange County heat is the reason cabin equipment matters. The NOAA station at Tustin Irvine Ranch puts the 1991 to 2020 July normal high at 85.1 degrees Fahrenheit and August at 87.3 degrees, the hottest month of the year in Tustin. On a hot afternoon in traffic, a seat that works with you is worth more than a lower price on the window.
To see the seats in person, visit Tustin Lexus at 45 Auto Center Dr, Tustin, CA 92782, and sit in both trims before you decide.
Do both IS 350 trims share the same engine and EPA mpg?
Yes. Both trims carry the same 3.5-liter V6 rated at 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The EPA certified figures for the rear-wheel-drive 350 are 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined. The all-wheel-drive 350 AWD is rated 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined.
On the commute, the city figure of 19 mpg is the number that matters most, and it is the same for both drivetrains. The highway figure is one mpg lower on the AWD. The engine is not the reason to choose between the trims.
The EPA certified figures are the ones on the window sticker. Check the sticker on the car you are considering, then compare the numbers with your own driving.
What does each IS 350 trim include, side by side?
| Trim | Starting MSRP (2026) | Seats | EPA combined mpg |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS 350 F SPORT Design | $46,895 | 5 | 22 (RWD) |
| IS 350 F SPORT Design AWD | $48,895 | 5 | 22 (AWD) |
| IS 350 F SPORT | $49,345 | 5 | 22 (RWD) |
| IS 350 F SPORT AWD | $51,345 | 5 | 22 (AWD) |
The table holds the manufacturer’s 2026 starting prices and the EPA combined figure for each drivetrain. Every trim seats five, and the price steps are the main difference you can see on paper.
When is each IS 350 trim the wrong pick for you?
The IS 350 F SPORT Design is the wrong pick if the seat and cabin equipment is the reason you are shopping. If you spend hours in the car and want the seats and interior that come with the F SPORT, the lower price does not buy you that equipment. In that case the F SPORT is the right trim.
The IS 350 F SPORT is the wrong pick if the $2,450 difference is the deciding number and you will not use the extra equipment. A buyer who drives the commute and nothing else gets the same engine and seats on the Design.
Can I apply for IS 350 financing online at Tustin Lexus?
Yes. Tustin Lexus has a secure online finance application, and it is an application, not a pre-approval. We also offer new Lexus financing and Lexus leases, so you can compare a lease and a loan on the same IS.
How do I see an IS 350 in person at Tustin Lexus?
Tustin Lexus is at 45 Auto Center Dr, Tustin, CA 92782. Sales hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Bring your shortlist of trims and drivetrains, and sit in both before you decide.
Why shop the Lexus IS 350 at Tustin Lexus in central Orange County?
Tustin Lexus sells new Lexus models, and we sell the IS line from our store at 45 Auto Center Dr in Tustin. Our Google record, as of November 2026, is 4.6 stars across 3,524 reviews, with 87 in 100 of them five-star. Customers describe the sales process in their own words. In a June 2026 5-star Google review, Michael Y. wrote: “Great buying experience. Worked with Joseph. Found a vehicle we liked, but the color we wanted wasn’t on the lot. He found one that was set to arrive within the next few weeks, and assured me he would let me know when it arrived. We had already discussed a price and provided me a breakdown and out the door estimate. Honestly I was a bit skeptical because we didn’t have any purchase or signed agreement, and I have had several instances where salespeople from other dealerships would just ghost me. But Joseph called AND texted me everyday to let me know the delivery status of the vehicle. The day came when the car arrived and we went there to finish the deal. Even though the price estimate was past the expiration date, he still honored it. Overall, he was a great and honest salesman. No pressure, no sneaky tactics. Just provided a great buying experience and removed the stress for us. Thank you again Joseph and Tustin Lexus.”
We can trade in your current car and set up a lease or a loan on the IS you pick. Start with the trade-in appraisal and the Tustin Lexus inventory, then visit 45 Auto Center Dr with your shortlist.
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.