So many haters. Lexus is and always will be a serious luxury brand. This car is absolutely stunning and brings something different to the class. Reliability assurance is just icing on the cake. To each their own though I guess.
Sure it’s “reliable” and comfortable but the Germans Rides better, Handles more assuringly, Is more Efficient and responsive, Spacious, More modern tech and safety features. Plus they look better for longer, Lexus is only nice when they come out, after a few years no one talks about them even in reviews 😂
It's actually a great car. I test drove the IS 300h F Sport last week, and it was fantastic! A great car to drive, and it really stands out for its money.
My Is 350 is going strong. I expect to keep the car until 2022. That's 8 years. That is how long the Lexus CEO promised us this front spindle grill design and general shape. For resale purposes they dont change the body styles every few years like other companies sometimes do. It relieves buyers remorse and keeps all the cars looking new.
My is200 is 19 years old , it will outlast me but I'm going to have to pass it on to my son in 18 months time as I live in London's ULEZ zone, I'm going to buy a 2/3 year old is300 and I expect to get another 20 trouble free years out of it.
Great vehicle very impressed. This Lexus IS can be optioned with heated/cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and rear power shade. These options are NOT available on the none of the new 2014 Infiniti Q50. Infiniti is mostly into safety technology if it even works in real emergency accident as oppose to a simulated television commercial. After this review, I prefer a Lexus IS instead of an Infiniti Q50...
I think he was referring to the new 320i which starts around $3000 less than the Lexus. Although it comes pretty bare boned and you would have to option things like HID headlights, sunroof, keyless access etc.
I thought it comes with standard LED headlights because the very basic car comes with the premium package which cost around 1k and it includes the LED headlights, unless Lexus really sells the IS with no package at all which is very unlikely. I might be wrong, but KBB review is for the American market?
Excuse me??!! What car are you driving then? I know many people who "v been driving high performance cars like AMG,M Power BMW,Porsche's and XJR and after driving a Lexus they were pretty impressed from the smoothness,reliability and the feeling behind the wheel.. After a statement like this i assume you have to be a pilot of F-18 or Stealth at least...are you? I v been driving the previous IS 200 and i could say its very,very close to BMW handling,which is know to be the best!
F...all the Lexus haters! I did a lot of research before I bought my IS350 and Lexus waaaay out weighed the pros vs the cons vs shitty "luxury" German cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi. And don't get me started on any shitty GM, Chevy, Dodge or Ford. I love my Lexus. My wife and I only buy Toyota or Honda now. Most reliable vehicles.
I'm going to disagree with the F Sport assessment of it being not worth the money. The instrument cluster is fantastic, the sport seats have good bolstering as well as amazing comfort, and the exterior treatments, particularly the wheels, are nice. In addition I prefer the sportier suspension tune.
ok ok i'm going to call you guys out on your statement with "the f sport offers little actual performance." Although it doesn't not make a night and day difference with the base car, (reason being that the base car is a pretty good sports car itself), the F sport package makes a really noticeable change to the car's performance. It is actually the sportiest of all of its competition. Read other reviews and how they praise the IS 350 F sport.
I hated this car, but its been growing on me lately. I think Lexus has done an awesome job of redirecting the focus to pure driving enjoyment. Looks wise, I think the Infinity Q50 is better, but the IS is a better all around package.
If i wasn't trying to save money to buy or built a house for my mom i would be deep in to debt by now i love this car for doors but that look of confidence determination and character witn that special kick nice but little mean nice very nice machine not looking at it when i see one is hard for me.
it's mean how much "miles per gallon car drink". in the city= when the transmission fluctuating between gears. highway= when the transmission shift to the last overdrive gear. the above was oversimplification :)
True but in all reality to get the features that the Lexus comes with on the BMW will make it cost a few grand more. Heated seats and xenon headlights aren't even standard on the 3 series.
Yeah that hump is there for some part of the drive train. That hump made me not consider the IS when looking for vehicles. Lexus needs to fix that part because I thought it was personally annoying!!
+34FenwayPark I hear you man... Good Point.. I was faced with getting the is 250 and is 350. I got the 250 due to it being $3500 less. Don't really need the extra speed even though I would love it
+bdogdaprince Torque, or the complete lack of it. The IS250 weighs in around ~1600kg but the 2.5 V6 only makes 185lb/ft at a lofty 4800rpm. A Camry with the 2.5 I4 makes ~170lb/ft at a lower 4000rpm but weighs in a scant ~1450kg, meaning off of the line a base Camry will feel stronger than this 'sport sedan'. Regardless the IS250 is now dead and replaced by the much more stout IS200t. Do note I did drive a IS250 AWD last year and a month later, a IS350 AWD at an event. I would have forked over the extra $3.5k for the IS350, or saved the money instead for the cheaper ES350 instead of the IS250. Regardless, the IS is a great car.
The car's design is a hit and miss. I personally like it but I can understand why some don't. The only complaint I have is that it is as slow as a volkswagen Golf. All German luxury of the same price as 6+ seconds to 60mph while Lexus is still in the 7+ teritory.
If you want better performance then you need to consider a dedicated sports car. Because most of those so called performance family cars are compromising on quality and reliability. A Porsche Cayman or 911 will wipe the floor with those so called luxury performance cars. The truth is they are neither performance or Luxury and sort of sit half way between the two. if you want Performance and luxury you really need to consider something like a Bentley but they are super expensive.
ulrek54321 I'm talking about same price base models. BMW 328; IS250; A4; C300 and so on. German cars have moved away from natural aspriated engines so they are way more powerful 6+ seconds to 0-60 is a norm. Lexus is still stuck in the past with 7-8 seconds time-frame. And yes, German cars are equally luxurious, well-priced and better prestige. As for IS350, Germans have equivalent ones in the sub-5 seconds. Finally for F, Germans have the near 4 seconds equivalent. The only thing I can see better with Lexus is the lower maintenance cost. So if you're planning to buy a 5+ year old second luxury car, Lexus is a safer choice. For new car owners, reliability is not as relevant though..
I reckon they only focus on their competition with their F Sport grade because Luxury grade vehicles don't needa be nice, just have a stunning design or something that stands out.
I own a IS, but this new IS is not in the same league as bmw or merc. And it's listed at the very bottom in premium sports sedans by a recent review by consumer reports. The 6 cylinder engine's power and fuel efficiency are terrible.
No they aren't crazy. The mpg is actually pretty mediocre considering the BMW 328i has 240 hp, 255 lb-ft of torque, and can get to 60 in 5.6 seconds, all while getting 35 mpg on the highway. This engine on the Lexus needs to go. 0-60 in 7.7 seconds? 204 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque? Those are numbers achieved by a modern Kia Forte. Considering how low the power figures are, 30 mpg is disappointing.
Forget all the Germans if you are seeking ultimate quality and reliability. Lexus top all of them. But yes, an Audi is a Skoda with 4 rings on the bonnet. They use the same engines and platforms. Bad for a car that costs a lot more than a skoda
The entry level Lexus has more standard features than the 7 Series BMW!!!! Track mouse,ventilated seats,xenon,pre collision warning assist,leather and more and more...,and the reputation of one of the most reliable cars on the planet!!!!!!! And i still dont get it why the people prefer BMW over Lexus??!! Is it some kind of masochism to spend more time repairing your car than driving it and feeling special(Lexus),or something else??!! ...Just wondering :)
the truth I thought it was a North America thing, but the car I test drove was RWD. Anyone who test drove the AWD can attest to how annoying it is? Something tells me it's the kinda thing that you get used to very quickly.
They must have add on the transfer case right at the end of designing this car. The transfer case is required for AWD car which initially was designed as a RWD. Audi does a better job because it was designed as an AWD to begin with.
I sound really picky but something i dispise about all Lexus cars is one thing.... The Steering wheel. It looks so big and clunky and hideous and doesn't reflect the sleek exterior or luxurious interior, and plus you'll be looking at the wheel a lot and it's not a pleasent sight. Lexus should learn from M Sport BMW or R line VW when it comes to a nice steering wheel.
Well, I'm going to have to be the millionaire next door. I'd rather a top end Prius than the entry level Lexus. I might even consider an Avalon over a Lexus IS.
you never drove a lexus for sure when you drive lexus you realize german cars always picked up by tow trucks who enjoys more and check out how in front of frankfurt auto show two guys out of fustation destroy with slage hummer and ax the so called ultimate nightmare car experience!!!
Lexus should give more engine options, these engines are way to big and should at least have a 2 litre 4 cylinder for the base entry option. Come on man alot of people don't need or want all thay engine. That's my biggest gripe with the Lexus I S models. These cars would have sold much better if so.
kicksoffs Lol why? Not like that little bit of extra engine makes much of difference if your issue is speed and it isn't much of weight add on compared to a 2.5l 4 banger.
MrStreetballer5 Yeah i fully understand but i'm just saying that there are a lot of markets that would not even look your way with big ass engines like what Lexus is offering.
Have you driven anything BMW has made recently? Let me answer that for you- NO. They have similar steering feel to a Mustang V6, its awful. I drove a 135is and an IS-F lexus back to back, and the Lexus was hands down much better. 550i BMW also lost its sportiness, it now feels very big.
So many haters. Lexus is and always will be a serious luxury brand. This car is absolutely stunning and brings something different to the class. Reliability assurance is just icing on the cake. To each their own though I guess.
Yes, Lexus IS definitely the best
Even the older models
Sure it’s “reliable” and comfortable but the Germans Rides better, Handles more assuringly, Is more Efficient and responsive, Spacious, More modern tech and safety features. Plus they look better for longer, Lexus is only nice when they come out, after a few years no one talks about them even in reviews 😂
I'm in love w/ this car's interior.
Could live w/o the exterior.
I would def. get this over any BMW or audi for the interior & reliability alone.
I like the look of Audi's better, but Lexus reliability is unmatched.
It's actually a great car. I test drove the IS 300h F Sport last week, and it was fantastic! A great car to drive, and it really stands out for its money.
My Is 350 is going strong. I expect to keep the car until 2022. That's 8 years. That is how long the Lexus CEO promised us this front spindle grill design and general shape. For resale purposes they dont change the body styles every few years like other companies sometimes do. It relieves buyers remorse and keeps all the cars looking new.
My is200 is 19 years old , it will outlast me but I'm going to have to pass it on to my son in 18 months time as I live in London's ULEZ zone, I'm going to buy a 2/3 year old is300 and I expect to get another 20 trouble free years out of it.
How’s it coming with that Lexus? Still got Toyota reliability I assume?
It’s 2022
I believe the mysterious hump near the gas pedal is for the AWD system. Same goes for the previous generation.
I have a 2014 IS250 and love it...
Me too 👌
🙏🏼
New IS is beautiful. Going to get this car for next year when my lease is up!
Alex Kim how’s it holding up ?
Yeah, how is your Lexus IS holding up? Any problems you've encountered?
I took possession of mine on July 13 and I'm so happy with it. I'd always wanted a three series, but just couldn't take the on the reliability risk.
Really love the review style you guys use. Very entertaining.
Good review. The hump is less noticeable in the 3is than the 2is.m
those headlights are amazing to look at in person.
I like the new look and sounds of the KBB reviews. Keep up the great work!!!
can't we cover up the grille with a piece from a body kit? I'm all against ricing but in this case its a necessary sin.
Not to mention the reliability factor,since those cars are visiting the service only for basic maintenance :)
Great vehicle very impressed. This Lexus IS can be optioned with heated/cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and rear power shade. These options are NOT available on the none of the new 2014 Infiniti Q50. Infiniti is mostly into safety technology if it even works in real emergency accident as oppose to a simulated television commercial. After this review, I prefer a Lexus IS instead of an Infiniti Q50...
Yeah it is. Lexus says there was very little room to put the awd system. The rear wheel drive IS does not have it.
This is the best review of this car, hitting all the little details and true drivability.
My hardest decision is the base 350 ( which is better equipped tban the base Q40) or the F-Sport. I love this car
I think he was referring to the new 320i which starts around $3000 less than the Lexus. Although it comes pretty bare boned and you would have to option things like HID headlights, sunroof, keyless access etc.
I thought it comes with standard LED headlights because the very basic car comes with the premium package which cost around 1k and it includes the LED headlights, unless Lexus really sells the IS with no package at all which is very unlikely. I might be wrong, but KBB review is for the American market?
Excuse me??!! What car are you driving then? I know many people who "v been driving high performance cars like AMG,M Power BMW,Porsche's and XJR and after driving a Lexus they were pretty impressed from the smoothness,reliability and the feeling behind the wheel.. After a statement like this i assume you have to be a pilot of F-18 or Stealth at least...are you? I v been driving the previous IS 200 and i could say its very,very close to BMW handling,which is know to be the best!
F...all the Lexus haters! I did a lot of research before I bought my IS350 and Lexus waaaay out weighed the pros vs the cons vs shitty "luxury" German cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi. And don't get me started on any shitty GM, Chevy, Dodge or Ford. I love my Lexus. My wife and I only buy Toyota or Honda now. Most reliable vehicles.
I'm going to disagree with the F Sport assessment of it being not worth the money. The instrument cluster is fantastic, the sport seats have good bolstering as well as amazing comfort, and the exterior treatments, particularly the wheels, are nice. In addition I prefer the sportier suspension tune.
This is a really great review and its very detailed.
Makes sense. My 2008 IS250 RWD has no random hump
I don't understand the hump by the gas peddle. I was very excited to purchase the awd 250 but the hump. WTF!!
Japanese make great cars
what are destination costs?
why is the front grill for this one different?
I saw this car in person today....man it looks HOT!!!
Does the trunk actually work by clapping??
lol german cars, the IS driving dynamics is stepping on the Beemer starting this year and for the future.
how is this video posted in 2013?
Base prices are 32k for the BMW and 35k for the Lexus, according to the oficial websites. The BMW is on a small power disadvantage, though.
Review the GS200t and 350 please
I was seriously considering to get IS350 but then no MT..so it got crossed out.
ok ok i'm going to call you guys out on your statement with "the f sport offers little actual performance." Although it doesn't not make a night and day difference with the base car, (reason being that the base car is a pretty good sports car itself), the F sport package makes a really noticeable change to the car's performance. It is actually the sportiest of all of its competition. Read other reviews and how they praise the IS 350 F sport.
Where is your review of the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid?
My favorite car on the market, which will change upon the introduction of the redesigned IS-C
This comment did NOT age well
any manual transmission?
I hated this car, but its been growing on me lately. I think Lexus has done an awesome job of redirecting the focus to pure driving enjoyment. Looks wise, I think the Infinity Q50 is better, but the IS is a better all around package.
If i wasn't trying to save money to buy or built a house for my mom i would be deep in to debt by now i love this car for doors but that look of confidence determination and character witn that special kick nice but little mean nice very nice machine not looking at it when i see one is hard for me.
A a standard Toyota will give all of the reliability that Lexus offers.
I'm surprised to see some of the first gen IS styling make it's way into this car. I see the most in the front end.
It may be 0.5 to 1 sec slower but when the competition breaks down on the side of the road it mean while will laugh going fast reliably
I think this with the f Sport pack looks better than all the others.
Can someone pls explain fuel economy , what do they mean by city and highway and those numbers
it's mean how much "miles per gallon car drink".
in the city= when the transmission fluctuating between gears.
highway= when the transmission shift to the last overdrive gear.
the above was oversimplification :)
Funnily enough I think it's actually a southern california accent, I'm from there and didn't notice it at all until you pointed it out.
Shut up and take my money, Lexus.
True but in all reality to get the features that the Lexus comes with on the BMW will make it cost a few grand more. Heated seats and xenon headlights aren't even standard on the 3 series.
Trading my 2013 for this beauty.
Yeah that hump is there for some part of the drive train. That hump made me not consider the IS when looking for vehicles. Lexus needs to fix that part because I thought it was personally annoying!!
Why do people complain about the speed of the is250. It's not like you can drive over 80mph anyway.
+bdogdaprince Acceleration....
+34FenwayPark I hear you man... Good Point.. I was faced with getting the is 250 and is 350. I got the 250 due to it being $3500 less. Don't really need the extra speed even though I would love it
+bdogdaprince Torque, or the complete lack of it. The IS250 weighs in around ~1600kg but the 2.5 V6 only makes 185lb/ft at a lofty 4800rpm. A Camry with the 2.5 I4 makes ~170lb/ft at a lower 4000rpm but weighs in a scant ~1450kg, meaning off of the line a base Camry will feel stronger than this 'sport sedan'.
Regardless the IS250 is now dead and replaced by the much more stout IS200t.
Do note I did drive a IS250 AWD last year and a month later, a IS350 AWD at an event. I would have forked over the extra $3.5k for the IS350, or saved the money instead for the cheaper ES350 instead of the IS250. Regardless, the IS is a great car.
Does anyone else feel like this car is a throwback to the original is300 as compared to the previous is350?
Can't wait for the IS-F.
I test drove an IS 350 F Sport and found the interior to be too tight and punishing. The RC is even worse.
The IS backseat is still way too small. It needs to be as large as the backseat of the C class MB or BMW 3.
The car's design is a hit and miss. I personally like it but I can understand why some don't.
The only complaint I have is that it is as slow as a volkswagen Golf. All German luxury of the same price as 6+ seconds to 60mph while Lexus is still in the 7+ teritory.
If you want better performance then you need to consider a dedicated sports car. Because most of those so called performance family cars are compromising on quality and reliability.
A Porsche Cayman or 911 will wipe the floor with those so called luxury performance cars. The truth is they are neither performance or Luxury and sort of sit half way between the two.
if you want Performance and luxury you really need to consider something like a Bentley but they are super expensive.
What are you talking about? The IS350 and F models are 5 above in 0-60s
ulrek54321
I'm talking about same price base models. BMW 328; IS250; A4; C300 and so on. German cars have moved away from natural aspriated engines so they are way more powerful 6+ seconds to 0-60 is a norm. Lexus is still stuck in the past with 7-8 seconds time-frame.
And yes, German cars are equally luxurious, well-priced and better prestige.
As for IS350, Germans have equivalent ones in the sub-5 seconds. Finally for F, Germans have the near 4 seconds equivalent.
The only thing I can see better with Lexus is the lower maintenance cost. So if you're planning to buy a 5+ year old second luxury car, Lexus is a safer choice. For new car owners, reliability is not as relevant though..
James B Honestly tell me, how often are people going to drag race their C Class?
I reckon they only focus on their competition with their F Sport grade because Luxury grade vehicles don't needa be nice, just have a stunning design or something that stands out.
Love the looks of the car, very nice in real life. Hate the interior so much, even the cheaper ES has a better interior
I own a IS, but this new IS is not in the same league as bmw or merc. And it's listed at the very bottom in premium sports sedans by a recent review by consumer reports. The 6 cylinder engine's power and fuel efficiency are terrible.
I need performane testing.
Lexus should stop messing around and make a new IS F! Throw in an awd variant too!
How is 30mnpg just so so? you guys are crazy.
thats highway miles he gave. the car is 20mpg in the city(where it will be driven most)
No they aren't crazy. The mpg is actually pretty mediocre considering the BMW 328i has 240 hp, 255 lb-ft of torque, and can get to 60 in 5.6 seconds, all while getting 35 mpg on the highway. This engine on the Lexus needs to go. 0-60 in 7.7 seconds? 204 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque? Those are numbers achieved by a modern Kia Forte. Considering how low the power figures are, 30 mpg is disappointing.
Price an equally equipped 3 series to an IS and it won't be cheaper much longer.
great car!
Forget all the Germans if you are seeking ultimate quality and reliability. Lexus top all of them. But yes, an Audi is a Skoda with 4 rings on the bonnet. They use the same engines and platforms. Bad for a car that costs a lot more than a skoda
The entry level Lexus has more standard features than the 7 Series BMW!!!! Track mouse,ventilated seats,xenon,pre collision warning assist,leather and more and more...,and the reputation of one of the most reliable cars on the planet!!!!!!! And i still dont get it why the people prefer BMW over Lexus??!! Is it some kind of masochism to spend more time repairing your car than driving it and feeling special(Lexus),or something else??!! ...Just wondering :)
I saw that HUMP OMG! The one in the car was rediculous too.
good Solid review
i was considering a buy until i saw the bump. WTF is that bump?
That bump only comes with the AWD model.
the truth I thought it was a North America thing, but the car I test drove was RWD.
Anyone who test drove the AWD can attest to how annoying it is? Something tells me it's the kinda thing that you get used to very quickly.
They must have add on the transfer case right at the end of designing this car. The transfer case is required for AWD car which initially was designed as a RWD.
Audi does a better job because it was designed as an AWD to begin with.
Bro was bullshitting an EN101 paper at the beginning there lol
it has no manual transmission because last generation they sold 0 manuals
I just don’t like the radio technology graphics. The cars luxury but the technology graphics look trash
Beautiful car
this car is more beautiful than ATS... holy shieett.
I sound really picky but something i dispise about all Lexus cars is one thing....
The Steering wheel.
It looks so big and clunky and hideous and doesn't reflect the sleek exterior or luxurious interior, and plus you'll be looking at the wheel a lot and it's not a pleasent sight. Lexus should learn from M Sport BMW or R line VW when it comes to a nice steering wheel.
The only thing that comes as standard on german cars is badge. everything else is optional
love lexus
People by Lexus cars because they are well built and ultra reliable,........ and because they don't want a German car.
Any 2nd Gen IS fans WUA Starfire Pearl White drivers 🤪
< yes they are sexy. just look. but they do have a price disadvantage. the 3.7 is the engine to have.
Great car
nike headlights
Well, I'm going to have to be the millionaire next door. I'd rather a top end Prius than the entry level Lexus. I might even consider an Avalon over a Lexus IS.
I had a lexus is 300 2007 model it looks more sexy especially from the front.
The front bumper looks ugly
Who buys cadi nowadays?
Good car
Acura tlx ????
I have the car and it is awesome
Go for Cadillac
American cars are the best
you never drove a lexus for sure when you drive lexus you realize german cars always picked up by tow trucks who enjoys more and check out how in front of frankfurt auto show two guys out of fustation destroy with slage hummer and ax the so called ultimate nightmare car experience!!!
No offense to the presenter of course. He does a great job. I just have an overly sensitive ear.
He said Q50. Acura has no comparable car.
2016 IS250 will be replaced with a 4cyl. turbo.
+Minka Kelly And it's called a IS 200t :)
Lexus should give more engine options, these engines are way to big and should at least have a 2 litre 4 cylinder for the base entry option. Come on man alot of people don't need or want all thay engine. That's my biggest gripe with the Lexus I S models. These cars would have sold much better if so.
why wouldn't u want at least a 2.5 liter?
DaOldSchoolRapLova96 I hate V-6 engines wish they were strait six or 4 cylinder.
kicksoffs Lol why? Not like that little bit of extra engine makes much of difference if your issue is speed and it isn't much of weight add on compared to a 2.5l 4 banger.
MrStreetballer5 Yeah i fully understand but i'm just saying that there are a lot of markets that would not even look your way with big ass engines like what Lexus is offering.
kicksoffs I never heard of anybody hating V-6 engines...wow. That's a first. I usually hear 4 cylinders being hated on.
The upcoming Infiniti Q50 looks better. It will probably perform better as well.
Just drove this car. It's a snooze fest to drive. Super light steering with no feel. I don't know what perspective these guys are coming from.
Jeremy Epstein your full of shit🤣🤣🤣
Lol, I know. Free advertisement.
Nice review, but the narrator's "exaggerated vowel" accent really irks me.
True story
The BMW 3 series is cheaper....in what world? I want to move there!
Have you driven anything BMW has made recently? Let me answer that for you- NO. They have similar steering feel to a Mustang V6, its awful. I drove a 135is and an IS-F lexus back to back, and the Lexus was hands down much better. 550i BMW also lost its sportiness, it now feels very big.