2022 Lexus IS — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2022 Lexus IS

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $38,469–$44,333
Fuel Economy 23 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $2,283/yr
The 2022 Lexus IS scores 8.3/10 at Carivo, ranking #31 of 1310 sedans, with 1 NHTSA recall on record and an estimated $2,283/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2022 Lexus IS

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$38,469–$44,333

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2022 Lexus IS

The 2022 Lexus IS is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 8.3/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.4/10, while Value at 7.4/10 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 9.4/10. The IS nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 8.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.7/10 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 8.6/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.

Priced from $38,469–$44,333, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Lexus IS sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 4 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2022 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 →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2022 Lexus IS ranks #31 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 98% of the segment. Its 8.3/10 overall score is 0.8 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $38,469 starting price is about 39% 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 $50k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2022 Lexus IS

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$11,415 ($2,283/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which IS Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2019 Lexus IS scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2022's 8.3 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting 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 (this review) 8.3/10$38,469
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 8.0/10$31,103 Read review →
2015 7.9/10$29,875 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2022 Lexus IS

✓ What it does well

  • Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands
  • Best-in-class infotainment, driver assistance, and connectivity features

✗ Where it falls short

  • Few standout weaknesses — review individual sub-scores for nuance
  • Some competing models offer a higher overall score at a similar price

NHTSA Recalls — 2022 Lexus IS (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
08/04/2026 · 26V222000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2022 Lexus IS that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2022 Lexus IS

Is the 2022 Lexus IS reliable?

We rate the 2022 Lexus IS's reliability 9.4/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2022 Lexus IS have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2022 Lexus IS worth buying?

It scores 8.3/10 overall, ranking #31 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 98% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2022 Lexus IS cost?

The 2022 Lexus IS starts at $38,469 and ranges up to $44,333 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which IS years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest IS years we've rated are 2015 (7.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2022 Lexus IS have?

The documented issues for the 2022 Lexus IS are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Fuel system, gasoline (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Lexus IS

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Lexus Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Lexus models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.