First drive review: Lexus IS

Saturday, 30 January 2021

The new Lexus IS was developed at Toyota's Shimoyama test track - a scaled-down version of the legendary Nurburgring!

LEXUS IS
Price range: $70,900 to $101,800.
Powertrains: 2.0-litre petrol turbo inline four-cylinder with 180kW/350Nm, 8.2L/100km, 8-speed automatic transmission, RWD (IS 300), 2.5-litre petrol hybrid inline four-cylinder with 133kW/221Nm (164kW total system output), 5.1L/100km, continuously variable transmission, RWD (IS 300h) or 3.5-litre petrol V6 with 232kW/380Nm, 9.5L/100km, 8-speed automatic transmission, RWD (IS 350).

Despite the fact that SUVs are ruling the sales charts, it is nice to know Lexus is still a fan of the RWD sedan.

Body style: Four-door sedan.
On sale: Now.

The new IS packs all the expected Lexus styling cues into a medium sedan package to excellent effect.

Yep, okay, let’s start with the obvious – that polarising grille hasn’t got any less polarising. Lexus’ 3 Series/C-Class/A4 competitor has long proven it has the quality and ability to take on the Euros, but the stying has been a ‘love it or hate it’ thing for a few generations now. Now there is a new one, and we rather like it. And yes, that includes the grille…

Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?

If you are not a fan of the Lexus ‘spindle’ grille, look away now – it hasn’t got any smaller on the new IS...

The ‘new’ IS isn’t quite ‘all-new’, being based on a revised version of the last model's RWD platform, but the vast majority of it is, including the body and interior, which means a new, more aggressive look, particularly on the outside.

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The IS’s chassis was well-suited to the race track, although only the V6 engine felt particularly at home on track.

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The IS packs a massively high-quality interior and New Zealand models even come with the steering wheel on the proper side too.

The IS comes to New Zealand in a number of guises, with the 180kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol IS 300 and the 164kW 2.5-litre petrol hybrid IS 300h being available in standard ($70,900 for the IS 300 and $76,200 for the IS 300h), F Sport ($80,500 for the IS 300, $85,800 for the IS 300h) and Limited ($83,000 for the IS 300, $88,300 for the IS 300h) forms, while the 232kW 3.5-litre V6 IS 350 is only available in F Sport form and lands at $101,800.

All 2.0-litre turbo models and the 3.5-litre V6 are hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids get a continuously variable transmission.

The entry IS 300 and IS 300h come standard with a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 18-inch alloy wheels, a tyre pressure monitoring system, LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, synthetic leather upholstery, a 10 speaker audio system with an 8 channel amplifier, embedded satellite navigation, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Lexus has integrated the L-shaped LED DRLs into the headlights this time around.

Every model also comes standard with the Lexus Safety System suite that includes autonomous emergency braking with day and night pedestrian detection (as well as daytime cyclist detection), lane departure alert and steering assist, lane centring, dynamic cruise control, automatic highbeam and road sign recognition.

The range then splits off with F Sport and Limited models both adding different equipment to the entry spec.

The F Sport models add Sport + and customised drive modes, adaptive variable sports suspension, F Sport interior trim including sports front seats with ventilation, a leather sports steering wheel and shift knob among other things. The F Sport models also score multi-lens LED headlights, piano black exterior detailing and dark metallic 19-inch alloy wheels.

Hey Lexus, BMW called and want their boot design from 2001 back. Actually, the ‘Bangle butt’ works rather well on the IS...

The 350 F Sport then also scores silver woodgrain interior detailing, matte black 19-inch alloys, a torsen limited slip differential and, of course, that 232kW V6 engine.

The Limited models, on the other hand, up the entry model’s equipment with silver metallic 19-inch allooy wheels, a black woodgrain interior, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system complete with a 12 channel amplifier and 7.1 surround sound processing, and a panoramic view monitor.

Where did you drive it?

Lexus launched both the new IS and the LC convertible we have already driven at its home base in Palmerston North before we headed over to Taupo, then on to Hampton Downs the next day for an afternoon of on-track fun.

The IS is a sweet, comfortable thing on the road, feeling every bit the larger cruiser it has evolved into over the years. A composed and mature ride is the prevalent attribute, yet it is still more than capable of being hustled through the corners with impressive agility.

And, most importantly, a proper RWD sports sedan feel.

Perhaps the best trait the IS exhibits in all its forms is the ability to transition effortlessly between being a relaxed, superbly comfortable cruiser to a sharp and agile fun machine without even bothering to play with the drive modes offered.

The engines and transitions offer a varied and interesting mix of abilities.

The 2.0-litre turbo in the IS 300 models comes across as slightly lethargic down low in its revs, taking its time to spool up and only really coming to life when it starts getting up nearer its maximum power (which peaks at 5800rpm). It certainly doesn’t feel like a car with 180kW on tap off the mark.

Once it is up and running, however, it is effortlessly smooth, nicely powerful and surprisingly quick across the meat of its torque curve, making it a surperb open road cruiser and an effortless overtaker.

The V6 is similar in its lack of low-down, off-the-line punch, but makes up for it with an even stronger punch in the mid range, as well as a thick, angry howl (that is fun, but perhaps a little too processed…) and the 8-speed automatic shared by the 300 and 350 models is a delightfully slick and responsive unit that works brilliantly well with both engines.

The IS 300h hybrid is an interesting beast. It has less power and torque than the 300’s 2.0-litre turbo engine, but manages to feel stronger and more flexible through its mid-range and slightly punchier off the mark as well. On your typical New Zealand road it feels more flexible and driveable, with a nice flow to its power delivery that nicely matches the IS’s flowing handling.

But it is VERY CVT-ish, by which I mean it loves a good droning flair under acceleration and produces an odd, somewhat vacuum cleaner-like whine as it does it. It’s… strange…

But it also slightly takes the edge of what would otherwise be our preferred powertrain.

What’s the pick of the range?

If it weren’t for the very traditional CVT nature of the 300h’s drivetrain, I would have said the F Sport hybrid was my pick, and it still is in a lot of ways, however the V6 350 gets the nod because of its punchy, revvy nature and lovely 8-speed auto.

That said, however, the entry level 300 is an incredibly well-equipped, superbly comfortable and enjoyable sports sedan that packs all the luxury, technology and craftsmanship you expect from a Lexus for only $70k, which makes similar offerings from the European competition look a little overpriced.

Why would I buy it?

Because you want a beautifully made, high quality medium sports sedan that isn’t European, looks great (standard disclaimer: the grille is a subjective thing…) and is incredibly well-equipped for the money.

Why wouldn’t I buy it?

You want to drag race BMW owners off the line and not be left in their dust. Or you can’t get past the grille.