2018 Lexus IS

Cars.com (opens in a new tab) says the most significant changes are an extra 5 horsepower from the available V6 engines and a standard backup camera, and that Enform safety and service telematics are free for 10 years instead of one. Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) adds that the F Sport now includes a standard limited-slip rear differential, but only on the top rear-drive IS 350, and lists a 7.0-inch display with a rotary controller and a 10-speaker stereo as standard.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts used 2018 IS models at $20,100 for the IS 300 sedan up to $24,000 for the IS 350 sedan at a dealership. EPA rates the 2018 IS at 22 to 26 mpg combined and $3,000 to $3,500 a year in fuel, with rear- or all-wheel drive.

NHTSA lists one recall campaign for the 2018 IS, 20V012000, a Toyota and Lexus fuel pump recall in which Toyota notifies owners and dealers replace the fuel pump free of charge. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA: engine, structure and fuel and propulsion system with 2 each, unknown or other with 2, and latches and locks with 1. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) keeps a common-problems page for the year.

EPA rates the 2018 IS at 22 to 26 mpg combined and $3,000 to $3,500 a year in fuel. The BMW 3 Series lists 23 to 36 at $2,500 to $3,350 including its plug-in hybrid, the Audi A4 27 to 31 at $2,500 to $2,850, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 19 to 30 at $2,600 to $4,100. On these figures the IS costs more a year to fuel than the 3 Series or A4 at the top of its range.