Rent Lexus IS-F 2022 in Dubai

Most sedans at this price keep things sensible. The Lexus IS 2022 in this spec does the opposite, because it carries a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8, and that is the reason to rent it. We deliver it across Dubai with a no-deposit option, so you can have a 423 hp rear-drive sedan at your door without tying up a chunk of your card. Our take is simple: this is a car you rent for the engine and the drive, not for practicality. If you want a Dubai week with a proper V8 soundtrack and serious pace on the open road, it's a rare thing at a rental rate. If you mainly need space and economy, this isn't your car, and we'll be honest about that below.

The V8, and why it's the whole point

Turbo engines dominate this class now, which is exactly what makes the IS feel special. The 5.0-litre V8 breathes naturally, revs hard, and sounds like nothing else you'll find at a rental desk. It puts 423 hp to the rear wheels and clears 0 to 100 in 4.8 seconds, so an overtake on the E11 is instant and a slip road becomes a small event. The eight-speed automatic snaps through gears when you push and stays smooth when you don't.

This is a sedan built to be driven rather than just sat in. The rear-drive balance keeps it composed through a sweeping interchange, and at a 120 cruise it settles flat and confident. You're paying for the engine and the engineering, and on the right stretch of road both deliver.

Spec at a glance

Fuel, and the honest cost of the V8

A big naturally aspirated V8 is never going to sip, and you should rent this with that in mind. Driven gently it's reasonable, but use the performance the way the car invites you to and consumption climbs into the high teens per 100 km. The 64-litre tank then needs filling more often than the average sedan, especially across a week of enthusiastic driving. That's the trade for the noise and the pace. If a low fuel bill is high on your list, this is the wrong car, and the running cost is the single biggest reason to think twice before booking.

Cabin, seats and the boot

Inside it's a five-seater built around the driver. The position is low and snug, the materials feel a clear step above the mainstream, and Lexus build quality means everything you touch feels solid. Two adults up front have all the room they need. The back seat takes two adults in comfort and three at a squeeze, normal for a sport-leaning sedan of this length.

The boot is the practical limit. At around 398 litres it's a sensible saloon shape, fine for two large cases plus a couple of soft bags, so an airport run for a couple is no trouble. Pack for four adults with full suitcases and it fills fast. This is a driver's car with usable space, not a load-lugger, so size your trip to the boot rather than the other way round.

Staying cool in a Dubai summer

From May to September the AC matters as much as the engine. Leave the IS in the sun at 45 degrees and the cabin bakes, but the climate system pulls it back down quickly once you're moving. The front vents hit hard, and the compact cabin cools faster than a big SUV would. Give it a minute with the doors shut and it's comfortable, and rear passengers aren't left suffering on a short hop.

Parking, ramps and the Dubai rules

At 4660 mm it's a mid-size sedan, easy enough to place but not as carefree as a compact in a tight Marina multi-storey. Park with a little care in narrow bays. Ride height is low, in keeping with the sporting brief, so take steep mall ramps and sharper speed bumps gently rather than at speed, or you'll catch the nose.

A few Dubai basics before you set off. Salik tolls are billed to you as you pass the gantries, RTA fines during the rental are yours, and seat belts are required in every seat. Given the performance on tap, the fines point is worth taking seriously here.

Who should rent it, and who shouldn't

Rent the IS 2022 in this spec if you want a rear-drive V8 sedan that's a genuine event to drive, you care more about the engine and the way it handles than about cabin space or economy, and a Dubai week with real pace and a proper soundtrack is the point of the trip. There aren't many cars at a rental rate that give you this.

Look elsewhere if you're carrying four adults with luggage, watching the fuel bill, or just need quiet, economical transport for the week. A turbo-four executive sedan or an SUV will do that job for far less. The IS earns its keep on character and pace. Rent it for that, accept the fuel cost, and it delivers something most sedans can't.