2019 Lexus IS 300 F Sport Black Line Special Edition

With sales of the IS 300 leaving something to be desired these past few years, Lexus has bestowed the obligatory black-themed appearance package on the compact sedan for the 2019 model year.

Available on both rear- and all-wheel drive IS 300 F Sport models for 2019, the Black Line Special Edition offers a handful exterior features that help to distinguish it from the standard IS. However, the appearance package will be only be available in three exterior colors: ultra white, obsidian and atomic silver.

While not the most varied color palate, Black Line models do get a dash of warmth via red accenting. The center console is framed by scarlet bars, while black Nuluxe seats come with ruby piping and contrast stitching that extends into the armrest. Lexus also chucked on navigation and triple-beam LED headlamps as part of the package — adding some value, as both are rather expensive options when purchased à la carte.

Outside, the IS receives a set of 18-inch wheels in the “black vapor chrome” finish that we’ve seen on the LS. They’re not so much black as they are an incredibly dark gunmetal gray, but they are rather fetching. The black side mirrors aren’t a bad touch, either.

Lexus also mentioned a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel that features “distinctive shades of black” created by a Japanese calligraphy shop dedicated to perfecting ink for more than 200 years. That’s either an admirable commitment to perfection of minutiae or the physical manifestation of a deep-seated mental illness. It’s sometimes hard to distinguish with real genius. We’re leaning toward the latter, as Lexus didn’t bother to provide a close-up view of the piece that supposedly represents two centuries of creative commitment.

Of course, the real selling point is the illusion of exclusivity. Lexus says it’s limiting itself to just 900 examples of the IS 300 F Sport Black Line for 2019 — or about 4 percent of the the brand’s total IS volume for the United States in 2018. Our assumption is that you probably won’t have trouble getting your hands on one, even if you avoid calling your local dealership immediately after reading this.

Officially, Lexus hasn’t said how much a Black Line IS 300 will set you back. Unofficially, we’ve been told by one dealership that the package adds around three grand to a base F Sport’s MSRP. That’s not a bad deal, considering it bundles navigation and LEDs.

Production of the special editions began in early February, meaning dealers should start getting them in March.

[Images: Lexus]