Item: Lexus IS
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

<p>The IS300h sits several company car tax bands below its cleanest diesel competitors. True, a diesel BMW 3 Series uses slightly less fuel, and we’d expect it to get closer to its official economy in real-world driving, but the Lexus should still be cheaper to run as a company car.</p>

<p>The cabin materials aren’t as appealing as those in a BMW 3 Series, but everything feels well screwed together. You shouldn’t have to make any unscheduled trips to the dealer, either, because the previous IS – and Lexus as a company, for that matter – has consistently performed superbly in our reliability surveys.</p>

<p>Even entry-level SE cars come with climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth and a digital radio, plus it has lower CO2 emissions than more expensive models, thanks to its smaller alloy wheels. Luxury spec compensates with front and rear parking sensors and automatic wipers, while F Sport models look and feel sportier. Premier models come loaded with luxuries such as a larger and easier to read 10.3in infotainment screen, but the high list price will be off-putting for most.</p>

<p>Every IS has stability control, eight airbags and a bonnet that pops up if you collide with a pedestrian to help cushion the impact. And aside from entry-level SE models, all versions of the IS receive the Lexus Safety System Plus which incorporates automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Euro NCAP gives the IS five stars for safety and it compares well against premium rivals.</p>

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<p>Diesel models dominate this class, but Lexus offers the IS only as a hybrid, which combines a four-cylinder 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor. This is smooth and reasonably economical.</p>

<p>Emissions are rated at 97g/km in the case of the entry-level IS300h SE, while its average combined economy is an impressive 67.2mpg. The downside is that it lacks the strong mid-range torque of a comparative diesel, so it feels weedy unless you floor the accelerator. The CVT gearbox also feels far less involving than a conventional automatic, even in manual paddle-shift mode. Gear changes come slowly and when you’re using full throttle, the car overrides manual mode anyway.</p>

<p>Frustratingly, the IS300h responds with an annoying drone when you put your foot down thanks to that CVT ‘box. It can also be hard to brake smoothly, due to a shortage of feel through the pedal. You hear some road noise over coarse surfaces, but wind noise is always well contained, and it can run near silently on electric-only power at town speeds.</p>

<p>All versions of the IS get conventional springs and dampers as standard, but F Sport Premier Pack models come with a standard adaptive damping system. This lets you switch between Normal and Sport+ modes, but the differences are subtle; in both, the IS resists body roll well and generally offers a pretty comfortable ride. The steering on F Sport models feels more accurate than in other versions, although it doesn’t offer the precision that you get in a BMW 3 Series.</p>

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<p>Lexus received plenty of criticism back in 2013 when it decided to buck the trend and launch the third-generation IS with a line up of petrol-only engines. Yet, with the future of diesel increasingly in doubt, that decision is starting to look rather inspired.</p>

<p>With only one engine available, the line-up couldn’t be more straightforward. Like most of the Lexus range, you’ll find a petrol engine under the bonnet that’s boosted by an electric motor. This should appeal to company car and private buyers who are looking for a left-field diesel alternative.</p>

<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5pEM8Tsx2Ng"></iframe></p>

<p>The IS300h is impressively high-tech, too, coming with plenty of standard kit for a reasonable price. Granted, compared to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/saloon/review/n70">Mercedes C-Class</a>, the dated interior design lets the side down somewhat, but there is no denying that the level of finish is up there with the best.</p>

<p>Ultimately, the IS is an unusual choice in a hotly contested class. To find out if it’s worth putting it on your executive saloon wish list, read on over the next few pages. We’ll tell you how it drives, what it’ll cost and what it’s like inside.</p>

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<p>In higher-spec models, a mouse-like Remote Touch interface controls most infotainment functions. Unfortunately, this system is both fiddly and distracting to use on the move. Cheaper versions of the IS get a simpler version of the system, but we haven’t tried this yet. There’s a good range of wheel and seat adjustment to help the driver get comfortable, and Advance, Luxury, F Sport and Premier cars have electrically adjustable seats for even finer tuning of the perfect position.</p>

<p>The IS’s driving position is quite low and its windowline relatively high so seeing out forwards is a little trickier than in rivals, but judging roundabouts and junctions is still very easy. Its tapering rear end and smaller rear windows make seeing out backwards more difficult, though, and the fact that only models higher up the range come with standard parking sensors or a rearview camera is disappointing at this price level, even if they are an option on some lesser trims.</p>

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Saloon

<p dir="ltr">In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.</p>


LEXUS

<p>The Lexus IS is stylish and beautifully put together, but it struggles to compete with its more conventional executive car rivals</p>


<p>There are no real issues in the front of the IS, because two adults in excess of six foot won’t have problems stretching out. Head and leg room are both very generous. In the back, the IS offers as much rear leg room as a BMW 3 Series – and more than an Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class. However, six-footers may still wish they had a bit more head room, and a tall transmission tunnel makes life uncomfortable for a central rear passenger.</p>

<p>Move to the back of the IS and you’ll notice it suffers from a fairly restricted boot entrance although capacity is on par with premium rivals. All but the entry-level SE model get 60:40 split-folding rear seats which open up the space further, although without a variable boot floor it does leave a slight step up in the floor from front to back.</p>

<p>Like most saloons, the gap through to the main cabin is rather narrow, too.</p>

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The Lexus IS is stylish and beautifully put together, but it struggles to compete with its more conventional executive car rivals

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

<p>Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.</p>

<p>The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.</p>

<p>And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.</p>

Executive

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

<p>Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.</p>

<p>Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.</p>

<p>There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.</p>

Hybrid

Lexus IS review

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Read the definitive Lexus IS 2022 review from the expert What Car? team. Check specs, prices, performance and compare with similar cars.

Lexus received plenty of criticism back in 2013 when it decided to buck the trend and launch the third-generation IS with a line up of petrol-only engines. Yet, with the future of diesel increasingly in doubt, that decision is starting to look rather inspired.,With only one engine available, the line-up couldn’t be more straightforward. Like most of the Lexus range, you’ll find a petrol engine under the bonnet that’s boosted by an electric motor. This should appeal to company car and private buyers who are looking for a left-field diesel alternative.,The IS300h is impressively high-tech, too, coming with plenty of standard kit for a reasonable price. Granted, compared to the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, the dated interior design lets the side down somewhat, but there is no denying that the level of finish is up there with the best.Ultimately, the IS is an unusual choice in a hotly contested class. To find out if it’s worth putting it on your executive saloon wish list, read on over the next few pages. We’ll tell you how it drives, what it’ll cost and what it’s like inside., 

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