This car has been superseded by a newer model, click here to go to the latest Lexus IS Saloon review.

Lexus IS Saloon (2005 - 2012) practicality

06 June 2019 by David Ross

Parkers overall rating: 3.5 out of 5 3.5

The Lexus IS safety credentials were given a boost when it scored a maximum five-star rating in official Euro NCAP crash tests and all cars come with eight airbags (including driver and passenger knee airbags), whiplash reducing seat design and headlamps that swivel with the steering to give better lighting on corners. The IS250 SE-L when fitted with automatic transmission is offered with a pre-crash safety system which uses the radar system from its adaptive cruise control to predict when an accident is unavoidable.

In certain cases it will tighten seatbelts to draw passengers into the safest position and trigger the brake assistance for maximum braking power

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.

Basic equipment

The basic equipment list includes equipment that is standard across all versions of the Lexus IS Saloon (05-12).

3x3 point rear seat belts
ABS
Alarm
Alloy wheels
Audio remote
Body coloured bumpers
CD Multichanger
Climate control
Driver`s airbag
Electric mirrors
Front electric windows
Front fog lights
Headlight washers
Heated mirrors
Height adjustable drivers seat
Isofix child seat anchor points
PAS
Passenger`s airbag
Rear electric windows
Remote locking
Side airbags
Space saver spare wheel
Steering wheel rake adjustment
Steering wheel reach adjustment
Traction control

Equipment by trim level

To view equipment options for a specific trim level, please select from the following list:

Equipment included on some trim levels
Central locking Cloth seat trim Cruise control DVD Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Electric sunroof Heated seats Leather seat trim Lumbar support Parking sensors Partial leather seat trim Sat Nav Service indicator Sports seats

Standard Trim standard equipment
Cloth seat trim Cruise control

Standard Trim optional equipment
DVD Parking sensors Sat Nav Service indicator

Advance standard equipment
Central locking Cruise control Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Heated seats Leather seat trim Lumbar support Parking sensors Sat Nav Service indicator

Advance optional equipment
Cloth seat trim DVD Electric sunroof

F-Sport standard equipment
Cruise control Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Parking sensors Partial leather seat trim Service indicator Sports seats

F-Sport optional equipment
Central locking DVD Heated seats Sat Nav

SE standard equipment
Same as basic equipment

SE optional equipment
Central locking Cloth seat trim Cruise control DVD Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Electric sunroof Heated seats Leather seat trim Lumbar support Parking sensors Sat Nav Service indicator

SE-I standard equipment
Cruise control Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Heated seats Leather seat trim Lumbar support Parking sensors Service indicator

SE-I optional equipment
Central locking Electric sunroof Sat Nav

SE-L standard equipment
Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Heated seats Leather seat trim Lumbar support Parking sensors

SE-L optional equipment
Central locking Cruise control DVD Electric sunroof Sat Nav Service indicator

Sport standard equipment
Cruise control Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Parking sensors Sports seats

Sport optional equipment
Central locking DVD Electric sunroof Heated seats Lumbar support Partial leather seat trim Sat Nav Service indicator

SR standard equipment
Cloth seat trim Cruise control Heated seats

SR optional equipment
None available

SR Multimedia standard equipment
Cloth seat trim Cruise control DVD Heated seats Parking sensors Sat Nav

SR Multimedia optional equipment
None available

Euro NCAP Rating

The Lexus IS Saloon (05-12) was tested by Euro NCAP in and received the following safety ratings:

Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. The safety ratings are determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP. These tests represent, in a simplified way, important real life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.