Lexus IS trim comparison
2025 Lexus IS 300 F SPORT Design vs 350 F SPORT
The IS 300 F SPORT Design starts at $42,505 while the 350 F SPORT is $45,935. That $3,430 gap buys 7 meaningful differences.
This trim jump changes the engine from 2.0L I4 Turbo to 3.5L V6. Everything else is secondary to whether that powertrain difference matters for how you drive.
If you would notice the 3.5L V6 every week, the 350 F SPORT makes sense. If not, the 300 F SPORT Design is the cleaner stop because this jump matters for the powertrain first and the trim badge second.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the 300 F SPORT Design to the 350 F SPORT is about $61/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $3,660 more by the time interest is counted. If that different powertrain is not part of your real use case, the cheaper trim keeps more money in your pocket without changing the core experience you need.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you are specifically shopping for the stronger powertrain, not just more trim content.
When both feel the same
The 300 F SPORT Design and 350 F SPORT are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $3,430 for 6 measurable differences, which works out to about $572 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 7 specification differences, 1 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | 300 F SPORT Design | 350 F SPORT |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $42,505 | $45,935 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.0L I4 Turbo | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 241 hp | 311 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 21 | 20 |
| Highway MPG | 31 | 28 |
| Combined MPG | 25 | 23 |
| Fuel Tank | 17.4 gal | 17.4 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $2,300/yr | $2,500/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,715 lbs | 3,748 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 110.2" | 110.2" |
| Length | 185.4" | 185.4" |
| Width | 72.4" | 72.4" |
| Height | 56.5" | 56.5" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
| Powertrain | 6yr/70k | 6yr/70k |
| Corrosion | 6yr/unlimited | 6yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 4yr/unlimited | 4yr/unlimited |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2025 Lexus IS 300 F SPORT Design vs 350 F SPORT Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Lexus IS lineup, the Lexus brand hub, the Compact Cars, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2025 IS 350 F SPORT cost than the 300 F SPORT Design?
The 350 F SPORT starts at $45,935 compared to $42,505 for the 300 F SPORT Design. That is a $3,430 difference, or approximately $61/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Lexus IS 300 F SPORT Design and 350 F SPORT have the same engine?
No. The 300 F SPORT Design uses a 2.0L I4 Turbo (241 hp, 258 lb-ft), while the 350 F SPORT has the 3.5L V6 (311 hp, 280 lb-ft). That is 70 more horsepower. Both pair with the same 8-speed shiftable automatic.
Do the 2025 IS 300 F SPORT Design and 350 F SPORT have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with RWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
Is the 2025 IS 300 F SPORT Design or 350 F SPORT safer?
Both share the same Lexus IS platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2025 Lexus IS come with?
All 2025 Lexus IS trims, including both the 300 F SPORT Design and 350 F SPORT, come with Lexus's standard warranty: 4yr/50k bumper-to-bumper and 6yr/70k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2025 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT worth $3,430 more than the 300 F SPORT Design?
The $3,430 buys the 3.5L V6. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the 300 F SPORT Design does the same job for less.
Which 2025 Lexus IS trim gets better fuel economy, the 300 F SPORT Design or the 350 F SPORT?
The 300 F SPORT Design is the more efficient of the two at 25 combined MPG, versus 23 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $3,430 Gets You
The IS 350 F SPORT is a clear upgrade over the 300 F SPORT Design. The $3,430 price increase gets you the 3.5L V6 engine (+70 hp) -- real functional changes, not just cosmetics.
300 F SPORT Design vs. 350 F SPORT: Day-to-Day
The 350 F SPORT comes with the 3.5L V6 instead of the 300 F SPORT Design's 2.0L I4 Turbo. That means 70 more horsepower and 22 more lb-ft of torque. You will notice it most when merging, passing, or climbing at speed. In return, expect about 2 fewer combined MPG.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The IS 300 F SPORT Design gets 2 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $146 per year or $730 over five years of ownership.
Summary
The IS 350 F SPORT costs $3,430 more than the 300 F SPORT Design (about $61/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 6 meaningful changes at $572 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Lexus IS 300 F SPORT Design
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the 300 F SPORT Design best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Lexus IS 350 F SPORT
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the 350 F SPORT when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
As an Amazon Associate, TrimAtlas earns from qualifying purchases.
Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Lexus or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.