LEXUS IS SALOON REVIEW

My car

This is a frustrating car, In terms of looks its the prettiest car money can buy (apart from the 159 ). So Lexus got the looks part 100%

The suspension is perfect as well - you don't feel any road imperfections ever. So Lexus got that 100%

Equipment as standard very good - 100%

Gearbox - the most awful gearbox, a Hyundai has a better one - the gearing is garbage. Oh but its for better fuel economy. Really - that is BS. The turbo lag is dreadful. And Toyota can make decent gearboxes. The avensis has a good gear box and actually at lower speeds felt a lot more gutsy. How could they do this. Yes, they have not introduced an F sport gearbox but the average joe expects a functional gearbox with or without an F!

Fuel economy - poor, this is my Mrs car and it avarages 25 MPG when her last car a megane 1.5dci was averaging 43 driven identically. And the megane saloon was not a light car either. It can get 40 MPG on the run if you don't push it though.

Even though the car has a 2.2 diesel producing 177 it actually feels slower than a 1.9tdi PD from Skoda Octavia.

It is a classic study of a car that would have routed off the 320d out as the top executive ( similar to what the LS did to Mercedes S in N.America in the 90's ) but it did not, they made the most beautiful car with the best handling and the worst engine and gearbox combination. what a pity!

A new engine 200d is out but guess what the bloody thing is slower than this -please Lexus get your basics right.

My car

After owning an Alfa Romeo, I decided to go for a reliable car. The Lexus was one of several manufacturers I looked at (Audi, BMW, Mercedes). To begin with, being a 21 year old, I was a bit nervous, but the gentleman at Lexus in Leicester filled me with confidence, but unfortunately didn't have a car for me, and I went to Derby Lexus instead, who was equally accommodating. Much better than Audi and Mercedes! The car itself, 58 plate Facelift, is pretty much faultless. The sat-nav is very impressive. Clear instructions on a good screen. I Quote "At the roundabout, take second exit heading slightly left". Very clear. The Mark Levinson audio system is fantastic. Being a lover of music I searched high and low for a car with this system in. 14 speakers, each perfectly positioned, and the surround sound. Amazing. The car is very well put together, no creaks, rattles or cheap looking materials here. Every button feels like it has been precision engineered. and the car itself has a "meaty" feel. The steering wheel and gear lever fit perfectly in the palms of the hands. The heated and cooled seats are a nice touch, but neither are overly impressive. Could be more powerful. The engine is good. Low gears give decent acceleration, but the car comes alive when you get to 4th gear at around 2600RPM. Third gear is good for accelerating, but the lower gears - although you can get to 60 in 2nd are very highly geared. Great Car, But beat the Germans? I'd say so. Bar the poor fuel consumpti

My car

Nice car. Looks good and drives well. Luxury and sporty at the same time. An unusual mix. Could do with more space in the back for passengers.

My car

UPDATE, see review below. After battling with Lexus Stoke and Lexus GB, I have succeeded in rejecting the car!! After a face-to-face meeting with the centre manager and sales manager of Lexus Stoke at my own premises, they have eventually agreed that my car was below the average one would expect of a Lexus. To anyone wishing to do the same, my advice is be fair but firm, consistent in your arguments, and above all, RECORD everything. I actually recorded the face to face meeting, and was able to use the guys' own words to my advantage. When recording meeetings though, be sure to advise that you are doing so.

In short, if the car does not live up to your expectations, or their promises, you CAN reject it. It might take a while (14 weeks in my case), but it can be done.