2026 Lexus IS Returns — But With V-6 Only
The 2026 Lexus IS compact sedan returns with a new look and streamlined configurations. Only the IS 350 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport Design trims will be offered, which means only one engine choice: a 3.5-liter V-6. The base four-cylinder IS 300 and sporty V-8 IS 500 will no longer be offered, the latter of which also included the top-end F Sport Performance trim. Still, the continuation of the aging IS 350 may be relief for fans of the shrinking compact sedan class.
Related: With the Acura TLX Being Discontinued, What Other Sports Sedans Should You Consider?
2026 Lexus IS 350 | Manufacturer image
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What’s New?
The third-generation Lexus IS launched for the 2014 model year, so the return of the aging IS marks this generation’s 12th year without a major overhaul. Lexus freshens it yet again with sharper ends, and the interior gains larger tech interfaces and more refined trim finishes.
On the outside, the Lexus hourglass grille appears lower and broader. Both grades roll on newly styled 19-inch aluminum wheels, while the F Sport variant can be equipped with an available rear spoiler and red brake calipers. Seven exterior color options can be had, including a new Wind hue that’s light gray.
The interior wears more significant updates to match newer Lexus vehicles. It comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster beside a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment that’s a significant update over 2025’s 8-inch touchscreen. Buttons and switches for climate controls remain, lined up neatly in a row beneath the touchscreen. Other modern updates include two USB-C ports in the front and rear, a wireless smartphone charger, and either a standard 10-speaker Lexus Premium or an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. A bright red interior color is also available.
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 becomes standard for 2026. It includes automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alerts, lane departure steering assist, road sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, emergency steering assist and intersection assist. It also comes with Proactive Driving Assist that works when the adaptive cruise control is on and will slow the vehicle down for curves and provide braking and steering to maintain the distance between the IS and the vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist ahead.
Powertrain Specs and MPG
With the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder and endearing 5.0-liter V-8 no longer offered, the only engine is the 3.5-liter V-6 tuned to make 311 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque. The IS 350 still comes standard with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, whereas all-wheel-drive versions use a six-speed automatic. While the lone engine carries over, the 2026 IS comes with electric power steering and a tweaked suspension intended to smooth driver inputs.
The 2025 IS 350 was EPA-rated at 23/28/20 mpg city/highway/combined with RWD and 22/26/19 with AWD. Though official EPA estimates are not yet available, expect the 2026 model to carry over those ratings.
Trim Level and Release Date
The 2026 Lexus IS 350 goes on sale early in 2026. Pricing details will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
Read More About the Lexus IS 350:
- Silver on the Horizon, Yellow in Your Retinas: 2025 Lexus IS Starts at $41,360
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- 2024 Lexus IS Luxury Sedan Expands F Sport Options, Pricing Starts at $41,235
2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon Priced From $94,500
By Damon Bell
September 11, 2025
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2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon | Manufacturer image
Traditional station wagons are all but kaput in America. The few that still exist are sold in one of two ways: as SUV-flavored light off-roaders with a raised ride height and extra body cladding or as beaucoup-horsepower, high-performance machines. Mercedes-Benz has the former in the E450 All-Terrain, and it regains the latter for 2026 in the AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon.
Related: The Performance Wagon Is Back: 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon Revealed
Mercedes previously offered a hot-rod E-Class wagon — the 603-hp twin-turbo V-8-powered AMG E63 S, to be exact — but all AMG E-Classes went on hiatus when the E-Class lineup was redesigned for the 2024 model year. The AMG E53 returned for 2025 in sedan form, and the wagon fleshes out the lineup for 2026.
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Powertrain Specs
The E53’s plug-in hybrid powertrain marks a significant shift in Mercedes’ high-performance strategy. Instead of a twin-turbo V-8, it’s a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder that makes 577 hp and 553 pounds-feet of torque with the help of an electric motor mounted in its nine-speed automatic transmission. An optional Race Start launch-control feature (included in the AMG Dynamic Plus Package) temporarily boosts output to 604 hp, enabling 0-60 mph sprints in 3.8 seconds, according to Mercedes. The powertrain delivers what the automaker says will be an all-electric driving range of up to 41 miles.
Trim Details and Safety Features
The AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon comes well equipped in standard form, with features including all-wheel drive, an adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steering, a panoramic moonroof and a premium Burmester audio system. An Exclusive trim adds features like heat- and noise-insulating glass and ambient lighting, and a top-line Pinnacle trim includes four-zone climate control, a head-up display and Mercedes’ MBUX Interior Assistant, among other upgrades.
Three exterior design packages allow further personalization, and the AMG Dynamic Plus Package includes a limited-slip rear differential and upgraded high-performance composite brakes in addition to the Race Start feature.
A specially trimmed Edition 1 variant is also available exclusively for the 2026 model year. It includes exclusive Alpine Grey paint with contrasting AMG graphics and exterior accents, unique interior touches and 21-inch AMG Forged Cross-Spoke wheels finished in black.
Release Date and Pricing
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon is slated to arrive in dealerships early in the fall, with a starting price of $94,500 (all prices include $1,150 destination fee). That’s $3,750 more than the $90,750 starting price of the 2026 AMG E53 sedan, which strikes us as a reasonable premium for the wagon body style’s extra cargo capacity and utility.
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- Mercedes-Benz Reveals All-New, Electric 2027 GLC With EQ Technology
- Mercedes-Benz Brings G-Class Convertible to U.S.
- Research the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Find Your Mercedes-Benz
Related Video:https://players.brightcove.net/1578086878/HyOJ1bP6_default/index.html?videoId=6350721686112
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
Senior Research Editor
Senior Research Editor Damon Bell has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, beginning as an Engineering Graphics researcher/proofreader at model-car manufacturer Revell-Monogram. From there, he moved on to various roles at Collectible Automobile magazine and Consumer Guide Automotive before joining Cars.com in August 2022. He served as president of the Midwest Automotive Media Association in 2019 and 2020.
About the make
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automaker with a diverse lineup of cars and SUVs. Its EQ sub-brand produces all-electric sedans and SUVs.
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2025 Toyota Prius Review: Big on Mileage, Small on Space
2025 Toyota Prius Review: Big on Mileage, Small on Space
By Jennifer Geiger
August 27, 2025
2025 Toyota Prius | Cars.com photo by Corey Watts
Is the 2025 Toyota Prius a Good Car?
- Sometimes! While demand for electric vehicles fluctuates, hybrids are having a moment, and one of the best when it comes to meeting its fuel-economy mission is the Toyota Prius. But while the Prius excels at being a hybrid — and a value-minded one at that — it’s a little odd; be ready to make some comfort and ergonomic sacrifices.
What Does the 2025 Toyota Prius Compete With?
- As a hybrid hatchback, the Prius doesn’t have many direct competitors. It goes up against nonhatch hybrids such as the Honda Accord Hybrid sedan, as well as compact SUV hybrids such as the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Toyota’s own RAV4 Hybrid; see the models compared.
The Prius was redesigned from the ground up for the 2023 model year, with new styling that was much more radical-looking than the previous model’s chunky, wedgelike silhouette. For 2025, Toyota added a Nightshade version that makes the Prius look even more dramatic, with blacked-out trim, black 19-inch wheels and an exclusive, eye-popping mustard-colored exterior paint called Karashi.
Related: What Are the Best 2025 Hybrids for the Money?
What Fuel Economy Does the 2025 Toyota Prius Get?
1 / 102025 Toyota Prius | Cars.com photo by Corey Watts
The Prius does a couple of things well, primarily fuel efficiency. The base, front-wheel-drive Prius earns an EPA-rated 57 mpg combined; all-wheel drive is available, but it knocks that rating down to 54 mpg combined. XLE and Limited trims are rated 52 mpg combined (49 mpg with AWD), but even those numbers are super competitive: In their base trims, the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid is rated 48 mpg combined, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is rated 38 mpg combined, and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is rated 39 mpg combined. For those looking for even more efficiency, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is rated up to 52 mpg combined, with 45 miles of electric-only range. It doesn’t, however, offer AWD. The regular Prius has an EV mode, but it didn’t get me far: I was able to drive on electric-only power for just a couple of blocks at very low speeds.
The Prius’ drama-free driving dynamics are another high point. While it’s always flown its hybrid flag when it comes to styling, it has a very “normal car” driving feel — in the best of ways.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s coupled with an electric motor, good for a combined output of 194 horsepower with FWD (AWD versions get an additional electric motor for the rear wheels and make 196 hp). While I wouldn’t go so far as to call it fast or fun, the Prius has a lively quality to it. Acceleration from a stop is peppy, and it’s pretty maneuverable in around-town driving.
Drive modes add a bit more character or efficiency, depending on what you’re looking for: The Prius’ Sport mode makes for more aggressive acceleration, while Eco mode prioritizes fuel economy.
Overall, the Prius is very comfortable to drive, with suspension tuning that offers good bump absorption, natural-feeling steering and a well-integrated regenerative-braking system that lacks the odd lurchiness some other hybrids struggle with.
What Tech Does the 2025 Toyota Prius Have?
1 / 122025 Toyota Prius | Cars.com photo by Corey Watts
The Prius’ climate and infotainment controls have a straightforward design and are fairly intuitive to use. An 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard; a larger 12.3-inch screen is optional. The larger screen on my Nightshade trim was easy to use and responsive, with near-seamless connection to wireless Android Auto every time I got in the car.
Wireless phone charging is standard on the Nightshade, which sits just below the top Limited trim in the lineup. Limited-only options include a 360-degree camera system and autonomous parking. My test car came with an optional integrated dashcam that can record emergencies like accidents, but at $375, it was expensive.
In other ways, including its materials and design, the Prius’ cabin is largely forgettable. The Nightshade trim at least adds some visual drama, with black SofTex imitation-leather seats with gray contrast stitching, along with carbon-fiber paneling on the dash.
