Lexus may be developing an all-electric successor to its IS sedan, according to reports from Japan. The luxury brand discontinued the compact executive car in the UK in 2020.
Japanese automotive publication Best Car first reported the rumor, claiming Toyota’s luxury division is working on a radically redesigned electric version of the IS.
The most powerful variant could deliver around 500 horsepower with an impressive 620-mile range. Those numbers suggest Lexus might equip the car with Toyota’s solid-state battery technology.
Toyota’s solid-state batteries offer much higher energy density than current lithium-ion packs. The company says they can charge from 10% to 80% in less than 10 minutes.
When contacted for comment, Toyota UK declined to discuss future product plans – standard practice for the automaker.
Design and Technology
The electric IS reportedly will feature bolder styling than the upcoming electric-only ES sedan, which arrives in the UK this spring.
Toyota’s pushing to expand its EV lineup as competition intensifies across the industry. The next-generation IS is expected to use gigacast structural panels – large single-piece components that reduce manufacturing complexity.
The car should also be a fully software-defined vehicle with over-the-air updates. It’s anticipated to include drive-by-wire steering, which replaces mechanical connections with electronic controls.
If the timeline holds, the IS EV could launch by 2027 to compete against electric versions of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Market Positioning
The original IS disappeared from UK showrooms as buyers shifted toward SUVs. Lexus discontinued the sedan at the end of 2020 after years of declining sales.
A 2027 return would align with Lexus’ revised EV strategy. The brand recently delayed new electric models from 2026 to mid-2027 to incorporate better battery technology.
The electric IS would join a growing Lexus EV lineup including the ES sedan, RZ SUV, and a reimagined electric version of the legendary LFA supercar.
Lexus hasn’t confirmed any details about the IS successor, and plans could change as the company refines its electric vehicle roadmap.
