2018 Lexus Model Changes

All of the changes to Lexus models for the 2018 model year, including the all-new Lexus LC luxury coupe, LS flagship and more. Bookmark this page to keep up as we note further changes.

Edited 9/30/2017: Added IS, GS, GS F, RC, RC F and RX Series.

CT200h

Discontinued.

ES

No changes.

GS

The GS 200t with its 241-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder is now called the GS 300. Lexus Enform comes with 10 years of complimentary service.

GS F

Adaptive Radar Cruise Control is upgraded to All-Speed, meaning it can be useful in bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic. New forged wheels are stronger, should be less susceptible to damage.

GX

This old-school sport utility gets standard Lexus Remote (previously optional) to allow, among other things, remotely starting the engine and climate control.

IS

The re-naming continues. Th IS 200t became the IS Turbo and now the IS 300 still has the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 241 horsepower... that is for the rear-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive IS 300 has a V6, now upgraded by 5 horsepower to 260. The IS 350 also gets five more horsepower, for a total of 311. IS 300 RWD models offer optional active noise cancellation to help quiet the 4-cylinder's growl. GS 350 RWD offers a Torsen limited slip differential to help traction under acceleration.

The smaller standard brakes are now discontinued. All models get the 13.2 inch front rotors and 12.2 inch rear rotors that used to come on the IS 350 and the F Sport.

Backup monitor is now standard. SafetyConnect and other Lexus Enform services complimentary for 10 years.

Adaptive headlights are now optional: they bend side to side dependent on steering wheel position and vehicle speed.

Comfort Package is new and brings a passenger-side memory seat, new for IS.

LC

The new luxury coupe from Lexus comes in two variants: LC 500 with a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8; and LC 500h, with a 3.5 V6 hybrid.

LS

The luxury car that started it all gets a new platform and a fresh start from scratch. Available as LS 500 with a 415-horsepower DOHC Twin Turbocharged V6, Toyota's luxury flagship finally stops resisting turbocharging. The LS 500h uses a hybrid 3.5 DOHC V6 with a total system horsepower of 354 and a fuel mileage of about 30 MPG. This reverses the previous trend of the 600h, which was the most powerful engine in the LS, with a mediocre mileage rating: 19 city/23 highway. Lexus' new 10-speed automatic will drive the rear wheels. Both will also offer all-wheel-drive.

LX

A new two-row seating option is now offered for those that aren't carting around tons of kids. Seating for five and more cargo space are the only differences: maximum cargo volume is 50.5 cubic feet in the LX 570 Two-Row.

Lexus Remote with remote starting and climate control is now standard.

Heated and ventilated front and middle row seats previously standard are now part of the Luxury package ($1190).

NX

The NX gets a refreshed exterior with new grille, bumpers, fog-lights, lights, taillights, wheels and a few new colors. The suspension has been retuned for better handling without affecting the smooth ride. The NX also offers an optional variable adaptive suspension, now, with shock absorbers that can change their damping stiffness.

The turbocharged base model changes its name from NX 200t to NX 300. Why? Who knows? 300 is a bigger number than 200? Anyway, the 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct injected 4-cylinder is exactly the same.

The NX 300h keeps it name and its 2.5-liter hybrid gasoline 4-cylinder with 194 total system horsepower.

The Lexus Safety System is now standard on NX: Pre-Collision System, a collision warning and automatic braking system, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Auto High Beam headlights, and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. A Panoramic View Camera that shows a bird's-eye view around the entire vehicle is now optional.

A hands-free opener is now included with the optional power rear hatchback: just kick your foot under the bumper while the keys are in your pocket.

The NX now has standard power folding mirrors.

RC

Lexus Safety System is now standard: forward collision warning with Pre-Collision System (automatic braking), Lane Departure Alert (now with Steering Assist), Intelligent High Beam (not previously offered), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

RC gets the same name change as the others: 2.0-liter turbocharged version becomes RC 300.

The RC F now offers the variable adaptive suspension, standard.

RX

Lexus Enform free for 10 years. Shuffling of package and options availability.