Does the 2027 Lexus IS Still Come in Rear-Wheel Drive?

If you’ve been watching for the next Lexus IS and wondering whether the sport sedan still comes with rear-wheel drive, you’re asking the right question at the right time. Lexus has just confirmed the Canadian drivetrain setup for the 2027 IS, and it settles the debate clearly.

Is the 2027 Lexus IS Still Offered With Rear-Wheel Drive in Canada?

No. For the 2027 model year, every Lexus IS sold in Canada, including the new Special Appearance Package, comes standard with all-wheel drive. There is no rear-wheel-drive configuration listed for the Canadian lineup.

That’s a meaningful shift for shoppers who remember earlier IS generations offering a rear-drive setup. For 2027, Lexus has standardized AWD across the model, which changes how the sedan puts its power down through an Ontario winter.

What Powertrain Does the 2027 IS Use?

The 2027 IS is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 producing 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. That combination sends power to all four wheels as standard equipment, not as an added option.

A naturally aspirated V6 delivers its power in a linear way, building through the rev range rather than surging in from a turbo. Combined with standard AWD, it gives the IS a driving character built around steady, predictable traction rather than outright straight-line drama.

Full specifications for other 2027 IS trims beyond what Lexus has confirmed have not been detailed yet, so this article sticks to what’s been officially stated for the powertrain and drivetrain.

What Is the 2027 IS Special Appearance Package?

Lexus marks the IS with a new Special Edition or Special Appearance Package most years, and the 2027 version celebrates 25 years of the nameplate. It’s built off the IS 350 F SPORT and adds a Circuit Green exterior colour along with 19-inch black BBS forged alloy wheels.

Inside, the cabin gets black NuLuxe-trimmed seats with Ultrasuede inserts, finished with green stitching and satin chrome trim. Standard equipment includes Adaptive Variable Suspension, Drive Mode Select with Sport S and Sport S+ modes, Triple Beam LED headlamps, a moonroof, a Panoramic View Monitor, and Mark Levinson Audio.

Only 350 units of the Special Appearance Package will be built for the North American market, which makes it a limited proof point of how Lexus is treating the IS at this stage of its life, rather than a preview of the full 2027 lineup’s equipment.

Quick Answers at a Glance

• Rear-wheel drive in 2027? No, AWD is standard across the Canadian IS lineup.
• Engine: 3.5 L naturally aspirated V6, 311 hp, 280 lb-ft, 6-speed automatic.
• Special Appearance Package: Built off the IS 350 F SPORT, Circuit Green exterior, 19-inch black BBS wheels, NuLuxe/Ultrasuede interior with green stitching. Limited to 350 units.

Who Should Be Watching the 2027 IS?

Standard AWD shapes who this sedan is really for. A buyer who wants confident traction through an Ontario winter without giving up a sport sedan feel is exactly who Lexus built this drivetrain decision around.

The IS has carried a performance-focused reputation in Canada for 25 years, and the naturally aspirated V6 keeps that identity intact rather than chasing a turbocharged spec sheet. If driving involvement and Lexus refinement matter more to you than outright numbers, the 2027 IS is worth tracking as more details come out.

Lexus has confirmed the powertrain, drivetrain, and the Special Appearance Package’s launch details. Full specifications and Canadian pricing will be shared at a later date, so treat anything beyond what’s outlined here as unconfirmed until Lexus releases it.

Talk to Lexus of Lakeridge About the 2027 IS

The 2027 Lexus IS arrives in Canada with standard all-wheel drive, a 3.5 L V6 making 311 horsepower, and a limited-run Special Appearance Package marking the model’s 25th year. Confirmed details are still limited ahead of the sedan’s full Canadian rollout.

Visit Lexus of Lakeridge in Ajax to ask about current Canadian availability and ordering details for the 2027 IS, and get in touch once trim and equipment information is fully released to see how the Special Appearance Package compares to the rest of the lineup.