Updates to Lexus IS saloon announced

Revisions have been made to the Lexus IS saloon, including an extra trim level and improved efficiency.

The most notable change is the addition of a new trim level, named Advance. It sits above the Luxury model and adds satellite navigation, full leather upholstery, power-heated seats and a reversing camera to the standard equipment list.

Lexus says the addition of the Advance trim is intended to make the higher-grade F Sport trim look more appealing to potential buyers, because it’s offering them a ‘saving’ on the list price of £1,000. The F Sport features the spindle grille seen on the sportier Lexus RC F coupe and NX SUV, along with exclusive alloy wheel designs. It can also be specified with Adaptive Variable Suspension.

Updates have also been made to the hybrid set-up in the IS 300h model, so its CO2 figures now start from 97g/km for the entry-level SE with smaller 16-inch alloy wheels. Buyers who choose this model will have to pay no road tax, while going for any of the higher trim levels puts you in tax band B, for an annual bill of just £20.

The new hybrid updates also arrive in time for the latest Euro 6 emissions regulations, which come into force in September of this year. Couple this with the low CO2 emissions figures and company-car buyers will pay between 14 and 16% in Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax on the Lexus IS.

The IS saloon updates come just a day after the unveiling of the fourth-generation Lexus RX SUV at the New York Motor Show.

The new Lexus IS saloon is priced from £28,995 and Lexus is offering finance packages from £299 per month through its Lexus Connect programme.