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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $31,103–$40,488 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Lexus IS is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 8.0/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.8/10, while Value at 7.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.8/10. The IS nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.6/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. On technology it rates 8.0/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $31,103–$40,488, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Lexus IS sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2016 Lexus IS will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Lexus IS ranks #201 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 85% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $31,103 starting price is about 12% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Across the IS model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.4/10 | $42,152 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.4/10 | $42,152 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.4/10 | $40,925 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.4/10 | $39,697 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.3/10 | $38,469 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.3/10 | $37,241 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.2/10 | $36,014 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $34,786 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.1/10 | $33,558 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 8.0/10 | $32,330 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 8.0/10 | $31,103 | |
| 2015 | 7.9/10 | $29,875 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Lexus IS's reliability 8.8/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #201 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 85% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Lexus IS starts at $31,103 and ranges up to $40,488 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Lexus models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.