Lexus IS Saloon (05 on) - Review

Thanks to an impressively smooth ride and minimal wind or road noise on the move, the IS makes a great long distance cruiser. Up front there's good room for the driver and passenger with supportive seats. Unfortunately it's a very different story in the back. Despite a longer wheelbase than the previous IS, leg and (in particular) foot room are both poor. The sloping roofline means head space is limited too. The upswept window line may make a pleasing visual effect on the outside, but it also makes the rear more claustrophobic.

With 378 litres of boot space, the IS is poor compared to other saloons - the BMW 3-Series for example has 460 litres. The narrow opening means loading large objects is tricky plus there's considerable intrusion from the wheelarches. There's no estate version either but stowage up front is good with a large central cubby (under the armrest) and a decent glove box.

The interior feels very well put together and the materials used are of a high quality. The dials have a futuristic white-on-black backlight design while all models (apart from the entry level) feature heated and ventilated electrically adjusted leather seats. Keyless entry is featured across the range so you can leave the key in your pocket, and the door simply unlocks as you touch the handle. The engine starts at the touch of a button. All models feature a 13-speaker stereo system although this can be upgraded to a thumping cinema standard system, complete with DVD satellite navigation and a monitor with reversing camera. The only gripe from the driver's seat is a considerable over-the-shoulder blind spot on the near side.