by Gabrielle DeSantis

While Lexus and Toyota have a great brand image, some of their methods can be questionable. For example, Toyota hasn’t given the 4Runner any significant changes in a long time, and that has helped it stay as reliable as it is. Similarly, the 2021 Lexus IS300 doesn’t have many significant changes under the hood, and that’s holding it back.

7 years of the same generation of the Lexus IS

For better or worse, Lexus has yet to give the IS a major update. According to MotorTrend, the current 2021 IS has been stuck in its generation for seven years. Most automakers will give their cars a major update at around the four or five year mark, but Lexus hasn’t done that for the IS just yet. As a result, parts of the 2021 IS has started to show their age. 

For example, MotorTrend wrote that, not only does the IS have some “outdated portions” in its interior, but what’s truly outdated is what’s under the hood. That’s because, as far as non-hybrid trims go, the IS currently has two options. The first is the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged I4, and the other is a 3.5-liter V6. In fact, MotorTrend wrote that some of the IS’s engines have been around since the late 2000s. 

The 2021 Lexus IS300’s performance

Although the Lexus IS300 AWD has the same 3.5-liter V6 as the IS350 does, Lexus, for some reason, decided to give the IS300 AWD significantly fewer horsepower. The 350’s V6 gets 311 hp and 280 lb-ft, according to MotorTrend, while the 300’s V6 gets 260 hp and 236 lb-ft. MotorTrend said that Lexus tuned down the IS300’s V6 so that its numbers matched the standard IS’ specs, but as it turned out, that went wrong.

Despite having a tuned down V6, the IS300 AWD still accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.7 seconds. This acceleration time is actually 0.1 seconds slower than the 2021 IS350 F Sport’s 0 to 60 MPH time, according to MotorTrend.

In any case, the IS300’s competitors will also have a slightly better acceleration time than the Lexus will. That isn’t too surprising, since the IS300’s competition will typically have a more modern powertrain.

While the IS300’s engine is relatively old, Lexus is giving customers a new option. Like MotorTrend wrote, there will soon be a 5.0-liter V8 option for the IS, and it’ll be available on the IS500. Despite that, the IS300’s powertrain is still holding back the car, which received some interior upgrades for the 2021 model year.

A look at the 2021 Lexus IS300’s style updates

One of the more significant changes that Lexus has done to the IS for the 2021 model year happened in its interior. The 2020 IS, like many other Lexus cars, didn’t have smart features such as Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatibility, and nor did it have a touchscreen. The 2021 IS, on the other hand, does have all of those things.

The 2021 IS now has an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, and like MotorTrend wrote, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are compatible as well. Customers also have the choice of upgrading their touchscreen to a 10.3-inch display instead. That being said, while this is a significant, stylish upgrade for the IS, it’s still not exactly a high-tech car, and its age still shows. For example, according to MotorTrend, wireless charging isn’t available right now.

What also hasn’t changed is the IS300’s driveline hump. This hump will simply make the IS a less comfortable car for taller folks to drive in. In any case, the IS300 RWD starts at about $42,000, and while it may be outdated, it is more stylish now.

RELATED: Luxury Cars Are Flying off Dealership Lots in 2021

The post Outdated 2021 Lexus IS300 Powertrain Holds Back a Stylish Sedan appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes to large SUVs, there are few with a name that’s as fitting as that of the Toyota Land Cruiser. That being said, while it certainly can seat eight people, the Land Cruiser isn’t without its faults. Here’s an overview of the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser and all of its pros and cons.

8 seats come standard in the 2021 model

One of the reasons people buy a full-size SUV is for its seating capacity, and the Toyota Land Cruiser certainly delivers on that front. According to U.S. News, the 2021 Land Cruiser comes with three rows of seats as standard, and as a result, it can seat up to eight people. There is an option that’ll reduce the Land Cruiser’s max seating capacity to five people, but that’s not desirable for some customers.

That being said, while the Land Cruiser can seat eight people as standard, it’s not without its faults. According to U.S. News, while the first two rows of seats are spacious and comfortable, the third row isn’t. U.S. News said that the Land Cruiser’s third row is probably best suited for seating kids and teenagers rather than adults.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser has a premium interior

Since the standard Toyota Land Cruiser costs about $85,000, Toyota did at least make an effort to make it worth that price tag. After all, customers can easily find a cheaper SUV that can seat eight people.

Regardless, as U.S. News wrote, the Land Cruiser is spacious as far as cargo capacity is concerned. When its seats are folded down, the Land Cruiser gets about 82.8 cu. ft. of cargo capacity. This is a normal amount of cargo capacity for a full-size SUV.

But, when it comes to how the Land Cruiser’s interior was designed, it is more premium. U.S. News said that Toyota used a lot of “high-quality materials” in the cabin, and the styling was also “clean-cut.” That premium feel is reflected by how fancy the Land Cruiser’s seats are.

According to U.S. News, not only does the Land Cruiser have leather upholstery as standard, but its first two rows of seats are heated, and the steering wheel is heated as well.

On top of that, the Land Cruiser also comes standard with a moonroof, a navigation system, and a 9.0-inch touchscreen display. U.S. News called the Land Cruiser’s infotainment system “outdated,” but it was at least easy to use. And, like every other Toyota, the 2021 Land Cruiser does come with a lot of standard smart safety features, including, but not limited to, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. 

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is expensive and extinct

The 2021 Land Cruiser’s $85,000 starting price tag makes it one of the most expensive SUVs in the segment, according to U.S. News, but there are options that’ll bump that price tag up even more. The Heritage trim, which is the only trim that’s available, starts at about $88,000.

However, it only has five seats as standard. Getting the eight-seat version of the Heritage trim will cost just over $89,000, according to U.S. News.

That high price tag, combined with just how old the Land Cruiser is, and it’s no surprise that it hasn’t been selling well, especially compared to Toyota’s other SUVs. As a result, Toyota announced that the 2021 Land Cruiser will be the last Land Cruiser model in North America, at least for now.

Toyota will continue making the Land Cruiser for other markets, so it’s possible that that North America will get one of those in the future. Until then, however, American customers have one last chance to spend over $80,000 on the iconic Land Cruiser.

RELATED: Is the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Worth $2,330 Over the Base Model?

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