Lexus IS Saloon full 9 point review
-
Performance
You need to work the 201bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine hard to extract maximum performance, but it pulls cleanly from low revs and is punchy enough for assured overtaking. The 175bhp turbodiesel is let down by tall gearing that makes it feel laboured when cruising in sixth. However, the V8 in the high performance IS-F model is sensational, churning out 417bhp and hurtling the car from 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds.
-
Ride & Handling
The IS turns in swiftly, grips keenly and is unfazed by mid-corner bumps. It’s a shame, then, that the steering doesn’t offer more feedback and that the pay-off for impressive control over rollercoaster roads is a stiff and unsettled feel around town and on the motorway. These limitations also apply to the IS-F.
-
Refinement
Usually you can take the quiet and refinement of a Lexus for granted. Certainly, the 2.5-litre petrol engine is suitably hushed and wind noise well suppressed. The diesel is quiet at speed, too, but it chugs noisily around town. Both these and the IS-F performance car suffer from road noise – especially over coarse surfaces – which makes them more tiring on a long drive than they should be.
-
Buying & Owning
The Lexus IS is well priced, especially once you take into account the generous standard equipment. It’s thousands of pounds cheaper than the equivalent BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. However, the diesel and V6 petrol both have higher carbon dioxide emissions and worse fuel consumption than these rivals. The IS-F is priced closer to its competition, but also has more kit.
-
Quality & Reliability
The cabin materials aren’t as appealing as those in a 3 Series, but everything feels well screwed together. You shouldn’t have to make any unscheduled trips to the dealer, either, because Lexus consistently performs superbly in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey.
-
Safety & Security
Lexus was the first car manufacturer to pick up a faultless 100% score in What Car? Security Supertests. All IS models come equipped with at least eight airbags, while the IS-F has 10, and all variants have a host of electronic systems to look out for you when cornering or braking.
-
Behind The Wheel
The controls are logically laid out, and you get a touch-screen to keep clutter to a minimum if you specify options like sat-nav. Taller drivers may feel they’re perched too high, but most people will be able to get comfortable. Every model comes with an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
-
Space & Practicality
There’s plenty of space upfront, but anyone travelling in the back seats is less well catered for. A VW Golf costing half as much has more rear legroom, headroom is equally limited and if the front seats are set low there’s little space for rear-seat passengers’ feet. The boot is small and awkwardly shaped, too, with significant wheelarch intrusion.
-
Equipment
Standard kit makes the big-name German brands look stingy. Even the base SE model gets alloy wheels, climate control, keyless entry and a 13-speaker sound system with CD changer. SE-I brings front and rear parking sensors and heated leather seats, while SE-L adds rain-sensing wipers, adaptive Xenon headlights, memory seats and electric steering wheel adjustment. The IS-F has 19-inch alloys, sat-nav and a reversing camera.
IS used car reviews
Lexus IS Saloon 250 2.5 SE 4dr
With the best combination of price and equipment, as well as the best engine in an IS, this is our favourite version of the car
Read review
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2010
