2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package: A First Look at the Green Machine Closing Out the IS's 25th Anniversary
Lexus just gave the compact sports sedan faithful something to get excited about. The 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package has officially been revealed, wrapping up a year-long celebration of one of the brand's most beloved nameplates with a striking new color, forged wheels, and a handful of performance-leaning upgrades.
If you've been tracking Lexus news, you already know the IS has quietly become a tradition machine. Every year since 2022, Lexus has rolled out a fresh limited-run trim to keep the aging sedan feeling special. The 2027 version might be the most visually distinct one yet.
Where and When Was the 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package Revealed?
Marking the culmination of the Lexus IS 25th Legacy Tour, Lexus unveiled the 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package at the last stop of the 4-city summer tour in Miami, Florida. The timing wasn't random. This year, the IS is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and at the culmination of the Lexus IS 25th Legacy Tour in Miami, a new Special Appearance Package has been unveiled for the 2027 model year.
For a quarter-century, the IS has bestowed performance, design, and driving passion, honoring the legacy that the Lexus IS has built within the automotive community. That's not marketing fluff, either. The Lexus IS is one of the most iconic luxury sports sedans on the market, with a quarter-century of legacy combining spirited driving character with elegant looks and creature comforts.
Meet "Envious": The Headline Green Paint Everyone's Talking About
The star of the show is, without question, the paint. The headline feature is a new exterior color Lexus is calling "Envious," a striking green that has not been available on any Lexus before, paired with new 19-inch black BBS forged alloy wheels.
Reviewers who've already seen the car in person describe it as more subdued than flashy. The headline change is paint: a new green finish called Envious that gives the car a darker, more subdued presence than the IS's usual palette. Lexus pairs it with 19-inch black BBS forged alloy wheels, visible in press photos alongside red-finished brake calipers peeking through the spokes.
MotorWeek's team put it succinctly: the most striking feature is its paint, a green lacquer dubbed "Envious," which contrasts a dark set of multi-spoke 19-inch wheels forged by BBS.
Exterior Highlights at a Glance
- Exclusive "Envious" green exterior paint, new to the Lexus color palette
- 19-inch black BBS forged alloy wheels
- Triple Beam LED headlamps standard
- F SPORT mesh-pattern spindle grille and aggressive lower bumper carried over from the standard F SPORT trim
Inside the Cabin: Green Stitching Meets NuLuxe and Ultrasuede
The green theme doesn't stop at the paint booth. Inside, the cabin features black NuLuxe-trimmed seats with Ultrasuede inserts, accented by green stitching and satin chrome-finished trim.
Lexus Enthusiast noted the continuity between exterior and interior design language: F SPORT seats are trimmed in perforated NuLuxe with Ultrasuede inserts and finished with green stitching that echoes the Envious paint outside. Satin chrome trim accents add a bit of extra shine to the cabin, while a power rear sunshade and Panoramic View Monitor come standard.
What's Under the Hood? Specs and Performance Breakdown
Don't expect a horsepower bump here. This is a cosmetic and convenience-focused package, not a performance overhaul. All 2027 Lexus IS models, including the Special Appearance Package, are powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 311 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft of peak torque.
The IS is available in rear-wheel drive, paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, or all-wheel drive, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Handling and Technology Package Contents
While the powertrain stays the same across the lineup, the Special Appearance Package does bundle in some worthwhile chassis and tech hardware: a Handling Package, including a sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension, Drive Mode Select (ECO, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+, and Custom), and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential (RWD only), plus a Technology Package, featuring Traffic Jam Assist capability, Lane Change Assist, and Front Cross-Traffic Alert.
| Feature Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L naturally aspirated V6, 311 hp / 280 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain Options | RWD (8-speed automatic) or AWD (6-speed automatic) |
| Exterior Color | Envious green (exclusive to this package) |
| Wheels | 19-inch black BBS forged alloy wheels |
| Interior | Black NuLuxe/Ultrasuede seats, green stitching, satin chrome trim |
| Handling Package | Adaptive Variable Suspension, 5-mode Drive Select, Torsen LSD (RWD only) |
| Technology Package | Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, Front Cross-Traffic Alert |
| Production Volume | 350 units for North America |
Why Only 350 Units? The Scarcity Factor Explained
The number isn't arbitrary. The 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package is limited to a 350-unit run, a number no doubt chosen due to this edition's foundation, an IS 350 F SPORT.
This kind of numeric wordplay is very on-brand for Lexus. Each model year has brought forth a Lexus IS Special Appearance Package, and this year, the package is limited to 350 examples for the North American market, based on the Lexus IS 350 F Sport.
Key takeaway: If you want one of these, don't expect to find it sitting on a lot for long. Limited-run Lexus specials historically move quickly through dealer allocations, especially with a genuinely new colorway attached.
A Tradition That Started in 2022
This isn't the first time Lexus has dressed up the IS for a special occasion. Since 2022, Lexus has marked each year with a new Special Edition or Special Appearance Package, offering IS owners a next level of exclusivity.
MotorWeek's coverage echoes the same pattern: Lexus, and parent-company Toyota, for that matter, have made it a habit to release special editions of certain models each year, and a particular interest in the IS sedan has given a new flavor of this sporty four-door since 2022.
The Elephant in the Room: No More IS 500 V8
It's worth addressing what this package isn't. Despite the loss of the V8-powered IS 500, the iconic sports sedan gets sharp looks in its Special Appearance Package for 2027. The naturally aspirated V6 remains the top engine offering in the current IS lineup, and this package leans entirely into styling and comfort rather than outright performance.
Some outlets have been candid about the bittersweet nature of this release. As one review pointed out, a Special Appearance Package is an easy way to prolong the car's life cycle rather than a sign of an all-new generation on the horizon.
Pricing and Availability: What We Still Don't Know
Lexus has been deliberately quiet on numbers. Pricing and precise availability is yet to be confirmed, with Lexus only confirming that all 350 North American-bound units will arrive later this year.
Other outlets tracking the release confirm the same holding pattern on pricing. Lexus says these are to be found at dealerships later this year, though pricing and full specs are being held until closer to launch.
What this means for buyers: Expect pricing to land somewhat above a standard IS 350 F SPORT once the Handling Package, Technology Package, and exclusive colorway are factored in. Given the 350-unit cap, early interest lists at Lexus dealers are the smart move for anyone seriously considering one.
How the 2027 Special Appearance Package Fits Into Lexus's Broader Lineup
The IS isn't the only Lexus model getting attention for buyers cross-shopping the brand's range this year. Shoppers weighing a sporty sedan against a larger three-row option may also want to check out the 2026 Lexus TX 350 review for a look at how the brand balances performance and family-friendly practicality across its current lineup.
For readers who want ongoing coverage of Lexus reveals, redesigns, and comparison tests beyond this single package announcement, Auto News Line maintains regularly updated automotive news that's worth bookmarking alongside this story.
Key Takeaways
- The 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package was revealed in Miami at the close of the IS 25th Legacy Tour.
- It's based on the IS 350 F SPORT and limited to 350 units for North America.
- The signature feature is an all-new "Envious" green paint, paired with black 19-inch BBS forged wheels.
- Interior gets NuLuxe/Ultrasuede seating with green stitching and satin chrome accents.
- Powertrain is unchanged: a 311-hp, 3.5-liter V6 with RWD or AWD options.
- A Handling Package and Technology Package are bundled in, adding adaptive suspension, extra drive modes, and driver-assist tech.
- Pricing and exact on-sale timing have not yet been announced by Lexus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package?
It's a limited-run version of the Lexus IS 350 F SPORT featuring an exclusive "Envious" green exterior color, 19-inch black BBS forged wheels, and unique interior trim, revealed to mark the IS's 25th anniversary.
How many 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package units will be made?
Lexus is limiting production to 350 units for the North American market, a number that mirrors the IS 350 model designation it's based on.
Does the Special Appearance Package add more horsepower?
No. The package uses the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque found in the standard IS 350 F SPORT.
What color is Envious on the Lexus IS?
Envious is a new green exterior paint exclusive to the 2027 Special Appearance Package, described by Lexus as a color not previously offered on any Lexus model.
Is the Lexus IS 500 V8 still available for 2027?
No. The V8-powered IS 500 has been discontinued, leaving the 3.5-liter V6 IS 350 as the top engine option in the current IS lineup, including this special edition.
How much will the 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package cost?
Lexus has not announced pricing yet. The automaker has only confirmed that all 350 North American-bound units will arrive at dealerships later this year.
When did Lexus start releasing special editions of the IS?
Lexus has released a new Special Edition or Special Appearance Package for the IS every year since 2022, with the 2027 version marking the culmination of the model's 25th Legacy Tour.
Final Thoughts: Should You Wait for This One?
The 2027 Lexus IS Special Appearance Package won't rewrite the performance rulebook, and it isn't trying to. What it offers instead is a genuinely distinctive look, a color you won't find on any other Lexus, wrapped around a chassis package that sharpens the driving experience just enough to matter.
For IS loyalists who've watched the nameplate age gracefully over the past 13 years, this feels like a fitting send-off note for the 25th anniversary tour, even if bigger questions about the model's long-term future remain unanswered.
Stay tuned: Pricing and full order details are expected closer to the car's on-sale date later this year. Bookmark this page and check back for updates, or explore more current Lexus coverage for the latest on the brand's evolving lineup.
