The Lexus IS has taken a very different approach to staying relevant than rivals like the BMW 3 Series, and the numbers suggest it's still paying off. Despite positioning the IS as a luxury sports sedan, Lexus has never chased outright performance at the expense of longevity. 2026 BMW 3 Series Sedan Front Angle View in gray BMWThe same philosophy extends to efficiency. 2011 Lexus IS 350 F Sport LexusMeanwhile, another trim of the IS focused more on taking the fight to BMW. A Different Kind Of Success2026 Lexus IS front LexusThe Lexus IS has endured because it never tried to beat the BMW 3 Series at the German model's own game.