Did the Lexus IS F come in manual?
In short: No. The Lexus IS F was never offered with a manual transmission; it used a 5.0-liter V8 paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, and this setup was standard across all markets and model years.
Overview of the IS F drivetrain
The IS F was built as Lexus’s high-performance sedan and was designed around a sophisticated automatic transmission rather than a manual gearbox.
Key specifications in brief:
- Engine: 5.0-liter V8 (2UR-GSE) producing about 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters — no factory manual option was offered.
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (with a limited-slip differential on higher trims).
In short, the IS F’s performance package revolved around an advanced automatic transmission rather than a manual option.
Market presence and reception
The IS F was introduced in the late 2000s to compete with other performance sedans such as the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63. Across its production run, Lexus did not provide a manual transmission in any market (North America, Europe, or Japan).
Why there was no manual option
Engineers prioritized rapid, consistent shifts and strong launch performance, which the eight-speed automatic could deliver with paddle shifters. The packaging, weight distribution, cooling needs, and engineering constraints of the 5.0-liter V8 also made a factory manual unlikely. While aftermarket enthusiasts occasionally explore conversions, there was no official manual variant released by Lexus for the IS F.
Appearance and legacy
The IS F’s legacy rests on its track-oriented engineering and the decision to skip a manual transmission. Today, collectors and enthusiasts continue to seek the IS F for its high-revving V8, aggressive styling, and the fact that it remains one of the few Lexus performance sedans from its era that did not offer a manual option at any point.
Summary
The Lexus IS F did not come with a manual transmission. It shipped exclusively with an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, leveraging a 5.0-liter V8 to deliver its performance credentials. If a manual is essential, prospective buyers would need to consider other models or generations outside the IS F line, as the IS F itself remains a manual-less performance sedan in production history.
Did the Lexus IS come in manual?
No, the current Lexus IS is not available with a manual transmission; the last model year to offer one was 2012. However, older generations of the IS, such as the first and second-generation models, did come with manual options, like the manual 2001-2005 IS 300 and the 2006-2012 IS 250.
- 2012 and newer: Lexus has not offered a manual transmission in the IS since 2012. Current models only come with automatic transmissions.
- Previous generations: You can find a manual transmission in certain previous model years, particularly the 2001-2005 IS 300 and the 2006-2012 IS 250.
Did the IS300 ever come in manual?
And timeless gauge clusters of any car in the modern era it has this chronograph sort of vibe to it i'll start the car up. Here. By the way sounds like every other Toyota starter I've ever heard.
What Lexus models came in manual?
Lexus no longer produces manual transmission models for the current lineup, with the last one being the IS 250, which was phased out in 2012. However, you can find older models with manual transmissions, such as the IS 300, SC 300, and early ES models, by looking on the used car market.
You can watch this video to learn more about the history of manual transmissions in Lexus models: 52sKirk KreifelsYouTube · Jul 18, 2024
Discontinued manual Lexus models
- IS 250: The most recent manual Lexus sold in North America, produced from 2006 to 2012.
- IS 300: Available with a manual transmission in the early 2000s.
- SC 300: The SC 300 featured a manual transmission from 1992 to 1997.
- ES 250 and ES 300: Early ES models offered a manual transmission in the 1990s.
- Other models: The IS 200 and IS 220d also had manual transmission options in certain markets.
Current manual Lexus models
- There are no current manual transmission models available from Lexus. The IS 250 was the last to have a manual in the US.
- Newer models like the LC 500 have a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Where to find manual Lexus models
- Check the used car market for older models.
- Search for specific models and model years known to have a manual option.
This video shows a rare manual Lexus IS300: 56sThe Car Care NutYouTube · Aug 27, 2025
Is there a manual Lexus IS350?
No, the Lexus IS 350 does not come in a manual transmission. It has only been offered with an automatic transmission, with the last generation available in the US to have a manual being the 2013 IS 250.
- Automatic only: Lexus exclusively paired the IS 350 with an automatic transmission, including the 8-speed for rear-wheel drive and the 6-speed for all-wheel drive models.
- Last manual Lexus: The final Lexus model offered with a manual transmission in the United States was the IS 250, available up to the 2013 model year.
- Modern manual mode: While not a true manual, many modern IS 350 models allow the driver to manually shift gears using paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
