Lexus IS Saloon (05 on) - Review

Review by Ben Wall on
Last Updated: 12 July 2010
The IS is the smallest Lexus in the range and is intended as an alternative to models such as the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. It manages to be as upmarket and high quality as more expensive Lexus cars with a sophisticated interior plus a plenty of high-tech kit. It's also very well equipped and as you'd expect of a car from Toyota (which owns Lexus) is supremely reliable. The downsides are cramped rear seats and a rather lacklustre driving experience. The engine range is also limited with just one petrol and one diesel. However, on the plus side, you can count on Lexus dealers to provide exceptional customer service. In late 2008 the range was slightly revised with new trim levels and lower emissions in the IS220d.
3.5 out of 5

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3.5 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£25,411 - £33,596

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Used price range:

£4,766 - £24,696

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Excellent build quality and reliability, good standard equipment levels, superior refinement

Cramped rear seats, ungainly styling, limited engine choice, notchy manual gearbox

The IS is the smallest Lexus in the range and is intended as an alternative to models such as the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. It manages to be as upmarket and high quality as more expensive Lexus cars with a sophisticated interior plus a plenty of high-tech kit. It's also very well equipped and as you'd expect of a car from Toyota (which owns Lexus) is supremely reliable. The downsides are cramped rear seats and a rather lacklustre driving experience. The engine range is also limited with just one petrol and one diesel. However, on the plus side, you can count on Lexus dealers to provide exceptional customer service. In late 2008 the range was slightly revised with new trim levels and lower emissions in the IS220d.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    3.5 out of 5

    "Initially the IS was only available with a petrol engine - a 2.5-litre V6 with 204bhp. It's very..."

  • Handling

    3.5 out of 5

    "Like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class, the IS is rear wheel drive and offers a smooth driving..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    3.5 out of 5

    "Thanks to an impressively smooth ride and minimal wind or road noise on the move, the IS makes a..."

  • Practicality

    3 out of 5

    "With 378 litres of boot space, the IS is poor compared to other saloons - the BMW 3-Series for..."

  • Equipment

    4 out of 5

    "There's an almost baffling array of trims in the IS range - not helped by the fact that Lexus lists..."

  • Behind the wheel

    4 out of 5

    "The interior feels very well put together and the materials used are of a high quality. The dials..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    4 out of 5

    "Running costs are comparatively low with Lexus taking many steps to keep things cheap. For example,..."

  • Green credentials

    2.5 out of 5

    "The IS is quite a polluting model - not helped by the petrol model which emits 231g/km of CO2 (with..."

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    4 out of 5

    "The IS scored a maximum five-star rating in official Euro NCAP crash tests and all cars come with..."

  • Reliability

    5 out of 5

    "Lexus has a superb reputation for reliability and the IS is no exception. Problems are few and far..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    2.5 out of 5

    "Lexus dealers rarely have offers or incentives on new cars, but the odd finance offer or free..."

  • Buying used

    4 out of 5

    "The diesel model is the most popular but if you don't intend to cover many miles a petrol could be a..."

  • Selling

    3 out of 5

    "The Lexus IS isn't as obvious a choice for many as an Audi or BMW for instance. But this rarity can..."

Gallery

  • Interior Lexus IS Saloon (05 on)
  • Exterior Lexus IS Saloon (05 on)
  • Exterior Lexus IS Saloon (05 on)
  • Exterior Lexus IS Saloon (05 on)

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Owners' reviews