This Lexus IS 500 is aptly named the Ultimate Edition, as it is the last of its kind. After this 2025 model year, Lexus is no longer making an IS with a V8 engine.
Its passing may go largely unnoticed. Not to say that there’s anything seriously wrong with the IS 500, it’s a lovely car. But it is also a bit of a relic, which reduces its appeal to the general public. From a sales and marketing perspective Lexus is smart to have removed it from the lineup to make way for newer, better things.
But for those who like it old school – although not old enough to have a manual transmission – this Lexus has a lot to offer. As Lexus said, “This limited-edition IS is a celebration of one of the last remaining naturally aspirated luxury V8s on the market.”
Powertrain And Performance
If that is your jam, then this car is the bomb. Powered by the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 that makes 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, the IS 500 delivers a driving experience that feels both powerful and restrained.
The eight-speed automatic is perhaps the least enjoyable feature of the car, with languid shift response. Accelerating at highway speeds requires a forceful application of throttle pedal to get the transmission to wake up and drop a few gears. The lag is obvious. And even in the Sport plus mode, the IS never felt particularly powerful; it’s got more of a smooth operator personality.
Effortless highway cruising might be the car’s forte. It is quiet, smooth and luxurious – all very on-brand for Lexus. It’s got sweetly direct steering and brakes that are extremely grippy. In fact, the Brembo 6-pots were a tad aggressive, and it took some adaptation to find the best way to get on them without over-braking.
First Impressions
The classic exterior design of the IS 500 never fails to impress. It’s one of those rare cars that makes the heart skip a beat, even when you look at it every day. The sculpted, sucked in waistline and elegant roofline make it look sleek and fast. This particular car, in its special F Sport flat gray called “Wind” (which I think refers to a breeze, rather than something being wound), and black wheels, is understated, looking good even when covered in winter slush and grime.
Interior Design
Inside, it’s been given the F Sport treatment as well. The seats are black and red, while the steering wheel, centre console and gear shift all have real leather red accents. The effect is sporty, but a little showy. It’s not the calm, luxe feel that a proper touring car should have.
As far as comfort, it is top notch, with supportive, well-bolstered seats up front. Rear legroom is limited, however, and the trunk is compromised somewhat by a spare tire that isn’t flush with the rest of the floor. The rear seat does fold down in a 60:40 split, but a pass though would have also been nice.
Throwback Elements
The IS 500 is tech backwards in some ways. A CD player sits quietly in the dash, waiting for someone – anyone? – to slip a shiny disc into its maw. Not sure why you’d bother trying to listen to music in this car, though. The Mark Levinson audio system was colourless, and the surround sound did not deliver, with all the output seemingly coming from the front speakers.
Adding to the throwback theme, dusty USB ports lurk in the compartment below the armrest, forcing a quick shopping trip for an adaptor, since it certainly does not have wireless charging or Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. But if you’re just in it for the drive, then who cares, right?
It’s also got a small, eight-inch, touchscreen – the old style that sprouts up out of the dash like an afterthought – augmented by the Lexus track pad that is famously hard to operate, at rest or especially at speed. The analog clock is an attractive throwback element, as are the customizable analog look cockpit dials.
The Mod Cons
The IS 500 is reasonably well-equipped with safety and advanced driving features, although it is running Lexus Safety System 2.5 that came out in 2021. It includes adaptive cruise, lane keeping, lane departure alert and automatic high beams. It’s also got a rear occupant reminder. A 2026 IS 350, by contrast, has the 3.0 version, with many more sophisticated capabilities.
The Takeaway
Losing a model that is the last of its kind induces nostalgia in some drivers, and the Lexus IS 500 will no doubt have that effect on fans of the naturally aspirated V8 powerplant. It is a smooth throwback, and its appeal is shown by the fact that they are probably all sold.
2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition
2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition
2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition
On the other hand, this is a car that has been surpassed by models with much better technology, more fuel-efficient yet powerful engines and more responsive transmission packages. But Lexus was smart to offer one last hurrah for the IS in the form of this Ultimate Edition. It will go down in history as the last of its kind.
Quick Specs: 2025 Lexus IS Ultimate Edition
Price as Tested: $85,000 CAD
Freight & PDI: $2,205
Engine: 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8
Output: 472 horsepower
Torque: 395 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Fuel Type: Premium gasoline
Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km (basic)
Competition: BMW M340i, Cadillac CTS-V, Mercedes AMG C43
Website: Lexus Canada
Fun fact: This car was number 009 in a run of only 500 made. Only 40 of these were allocated for sale in Canada; the rest went to the United States. The car went on sale in late 2025, and Lexus warns on its website that it has limited inventory of 2025 IS models.
Rivals: Performance Luxury Sedans (V8 Era vs Modern Reality)
- BMW M340i xDrive
- Mercedes-AMG C 43
- Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing (manual + V6, spiritual successor energy)
Editor’s note: None of these offer a naturally aspirated V8—underscoring just how singular the IS 500’s farewell really is.