For The 2.5-litre V6 pulls well from low revs and is punchy enough for overtaking. It's refined, too. The most basic version is well equipped, but this model adds sat-nav and a CD-changer

Against You have to work the engine hard for maximum performance, and given that the basic car is so well equipped, it's debatable whether you need to spend the extra on this model

Lexus IS Saloon

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

This is the best engine to have in the IS, but do you really need that sat-nav option? It adds considerably to the price

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Key facts

0–60mph
8.1 secs
Top speed
144 mph
Average mpg
28.8
Tank range
412 miles
See all running costs

View the whole Lexus IS Saloon range

The Lexus IS Saloon full review Read in full


Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

You might expect us to recommend the diesel version of a car like the IS – especially when it costs less than the petrol version, is more economical and has lower emissions – but its drawbacks in terms of refinement and driveability are so major that we think the petrol engine is the best choice.

Otherwise, there's much to recommend about the IS as a car and Lexus as a company. There's a five-star Euro NCAP rating, for example, and the promise of superb reliability and excellent customer service. Lexus has only ever finished in first place in the annual JD Power customer satisfaction survey. To cap it all, any IS is generally better equipped than the equivalent model from its German rivals.

Reader test team says:

Lexus IS Saloon 250 2.5 4dr

Nice car. Looks good and drives well. Luxury and…

Alan Spedding

4 out of 5 stars

Lexus IS Saloon 220d 2.2 4dr

I've been driving this Lexus for nearly 3 years.…

Adrian Corcoran

4 out of 5 stars

Lexus IS Saloon 250 2.5 4dr

having bought the car from a dealership with 400…

mark tunstall

4 out of 5 stars

Lexus IS Saloon 220d 2.2 SE (Multimedia) 4dr

I have owned this car for almost 2 years now, from…

Colin Ooi

2 out of 5 stars
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