2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: Up Close

More 2013 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

The interior sees even bigger changes than the outside, with an all-new dashboard design that adopts the slightly industrial, stacked design of other recently redesigned Lexus models. The F Sport’s black-and-red interior looks great, too.

Unfortunately, the cabin adopts touch-slider controls for cabin temperature, which is something that’s annoyed us before in the Lincoln MKX crossover. Perhaps Lexus’ system is better, but our usability concerns remain with this technology.

From a comfort standpoint, the biggest improvement to the 2014 IS is its much roomier backseat. It’s the result of an extra 3 inches to the car’s wheelbase, and it means taller adult passengers (I’m 6-foot-1) have good legroom — something that was sorely missing in the prior-generation IS. The sedan also gets a new split-folding backseat, but it doesn’t lay flat with the cargo floor; there’s a ledge that’s about 6 inches tall.