Lexus IS

The Lexus IS ("Intelligent Sport") is a rear-wheel drive, compact luxury sports sedan manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corp. under the Lexus brand and originally sold as the Toyota Altezza in Japan. The model was introduced to slot below the ES in the Lexus lineup and to compete against the BMW 3 Series and the Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G. The first-generation Altezza (codename XE10) was launched in Japan in October 1998, while the Lexus IS 200 made its debut in Europe in 1999 and the IS 300 in North America in 2001. The second generation IS (GSE20) was launched globally in 2006 with V6-powered sedan models.

Debuting at several North American and European auto shows during 2007, the IS-F arrived in showrooms in Fall 2007 as a 2008 model year car. With the IS F, Lexus now produces a BMW M3 competitor. Parent company Toyota has seen not only the "halo effect" that top-of-the-line performance cars have created for other luxury manufacturer’s ranges, but also the "bottom line" effect achieved through increased sales. In truth, this is a model variant that Lexus has to offer to be credible versus its German competitors. It arrived just in time to spoil the next M3’s launch party and became the car Lexus used to tell BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz that it is now playing leap-frog instead of catch-up. Lexus further expanded the IS line in 2008 with the debut of the IS C convertible line.

See WikiCars' comprehensive Lexus IS Review.

Recent Changes

 * For 2011, the IS receives a minor facelift and, for Europe, a new diesel engine.


 * For 2008, Lexus unveiled the Lexus IS-F, a high-performance edition of the Lexus IS with a V8 engine. A special Neiman Marcus Edition IS-F was among the first Lexus IS-F models available for sale.


 * Lexus unveiled its all-new 2006 IS 350 luxury sports sedan in March 2005 with new styling and available all-wheel drive. The IS borrows its basic architecture from Lexus's larger GS sedans and loses its wagon body style for '06. Compared to the 2001-05 IS 300, the '06s are some 3 inches longer and wider on a 2.4-inch-longer wheelbase. Four separate models forms the basis of the new IS family in the US Market. The IS 250 versions have a 204-hp V6 and offer rear-wheel drive or AWD. The IS 350 has a 306-hp V6 and rear-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard for the rear-drive 250. Available for the rear-drive 250 and standard for the other models is a 6-speed automatic with a manual shift gate and steering-wheel paddles. All come with ABS, traction/antiskid control, front torso side airbags, side curtain airbags, and front knee airbags. Also standard are leather upholstery and a sunroof. Available are a sport suspension, wood interior trim, and heated/cooled power seats. An optional voice-activated navigation system includes a rearview camera and wireless cell phone link. Rear obstacle detection and steering-linked bi-xenon headlights are also available. So is adaptive cruise control. A new option is Lexus's Pre-Collision Safety System, designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected.

Styles and Major Options
The Lexus IS sedan comes in six different trim levels. The standard features list includes keyless entry and ignition, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power doors and windows, leather seating, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a moonroof and a 13-speaker premium audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Options include a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, 18-inch wheels, 10-way power seats, a navigation system, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (which allows drivers to set a preferred interval between the IS and traffic ahead), rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers, corner-adaptive headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity and bi-HID headlights.

Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 can be found at CarsDirect.

Selected by Edmunds.com as the Lowest Total Cost to Own Top Sedan under $45,000.

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Reliability
In a review done by Autos.com, the Lexus IS is ranked fifth amongst 33 of the most popular near-luxury cars out on the market today.


 * RECALL ALERT: On Jan 17th 2009, Lexus, in conjunction with the NHTSA, issued a recall alert affecting 214,500 2006-2008 GS300/350, IS250/350 and LS460/460L sedans over potentially faulty fuel delivery pipes which can corrode and leak due to certain ethanol fuels with low moisture content that can lead to rust, occasionally triggering a dashboard indicator lamp indicating a system malfunction. Lexus will be contacting owners of affected vehicles via email and Lexus dealers will replace parts at no cost.

Safety
According to the Safety Ratings on Autos.com, the Lexus IS comes in second overall amongst popular near-luxury cars.

Lexus IS 350 safety should be an important consideration in your vehicle purchase. A new option is Lexus's Pre-Collision Safety System, designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected. The Electronic Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system ensures that acceleration in this car (which is of particular delight with a sub-six-second 0-60mph time) is very safe indeed. Additional safety features include the alphabet-soup features of TRAC (which prevents wheel-spin), ABS (for safer sudden braking), VSC (skid control), alongside dual-chamber front airbags, a highly effective pre-collision system and increased passenger compartment rigidity.

Photos
2009 IS250C

Colors


 

When shopping you’ll want to look at the full range of Lexus IS 350 colors. There may be Lexus IS 350 colors that you are unaware of until you do your research. Having a couple choices in mind for Lexus IS 350 colors will make the buying process go that much smoother. Manufacturers often have a good idea of how many vehicles of each shade to produce. However, sometimes a particular color will be unexpectedly popular and there will be high demand. That’s why it’s good to have a back-up color so you won’t have to place a special order, which often can result in a higher price. Dealers are more wiling to make attractive offers if a vehicle is on their lot, and not for one that has to be ordered. Lexus also only produces groups of options and colors, not a 'variety' of all possible combinations. For instance, a 'base' model IS350 will consist of 18" alloy wheels and a premium package. Models are not produced without this minimum level of equipment.

In case you think you may be holding off on you car purchase, you should know that vehicle colors remain fairly consistent from one year to the next. The big change occurs when a car undergoes a major redesign, which often happens every three to five years. The classics, though, such as black, silver and white, are practically available every year. But a lot depends on the vehicle and manufacturer.

Main Competitors

 * Acura TL
 * BMW 3 Series
 * Infiniti G35
 * Mercedes-Benz C-Class

F-Performance Models
Lexus introduced the IS-F, the first entry in its F-marque line of high-performance vehicles, in 2007 as a 2008 model. The IS-F has a 5.0 L V8 engine generating 416 hp. A competitor to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the Lexus IS-F is expected to cost in the $60,000 range. The vehicle features an 8-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

Hybrid Models
Lexus unveiled the long-awaited RX 400h hybrid SUV in 2005 as a 2006 year model. They've also released the much anticipated GS 450h in May of 2006 as a 2007 year model. Currently there are no plans to make a hybrid version of the IS, however Lexus will also debut the world's first V8 Hybrid Luxury Sedan with the release of the Lexus LS 600h.

To learn more about Lexus hybrid technology, visit Lexus Hybrid.

Unique Attributes
The sound system has an Automatic Sound Leveling feature which adjusts the audio volume based upon outside cabin noise. This is different from speed sensitive volume control that adjusts audio volume based upon speed alone. The Lexus system adjusts for traffic, wind, and rain noise.

The climate control system has a built-in smog detector. The system will automaticaly switch from outside air to recirculate if a high level of smog is detected.

Resale Values
According to Kelley Blue Book's 2007 ratings, the Lexus IS is in the Top 10 in overall resale value for that year. 

Criticisms
The tires are different sizes front verses rear. That's a big help for performance, but makes rotating them impossible, resulting in short tire life. The tires are also unidirectional, which means thay cannot be swapped right to left either.

Second generation (2006-present)
The second generation IS was redesigned for the 2006 model year and was introduced in the fall of 2005. The Toyota Altezza name ceased to be used with the introduction of the Lexus name in Japan. A pre-production example of the model was shown in the 2005 Geneva Autoshow. The slow-selling SportCross station wagon version was dropped from the lineup worldwide.

For the United States, three IS models are sold by Lexus:

In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, 2 models are sold by Lexus:
 * IS 250 - 2.5 L V6, 204 hp (152 kW), Rear wheel drive
 * IS 250 AWD - 2.5 L 4GR-FSE V6 with all wheel drive, 204 hp (152 kW)
 * IS 350 - 3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6, 306 hp (228 kW), Rear wheel drive


 * IS 250 - 2.5 L V6, 204 hp (152 kW), Rear wheel drive
 * IS 220d - 2.2 L Inline-4, 175 hp (130 kW), Rear wheel drive. Manual transmission only.

The IS 250 RWD comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 6-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. The IS 250 AWD and the IS 350 are only available with the 6-speed automatic. A precrash system is a novelty in the market.

The IS 350's performance has been admirable, and its acceleration is class-leading. It is frequently accolated for it's sub-six-second 0-60mph acceleration time. Some say this marks Lexus' first foray into the "sport compact" market that compares fairly well with its German competitors. However, prevailing criticisms are that its steering is not as communicative as that of the BMW 3 Series, its stability and traction control systems cannot be fully disabled, and that the higher-performance IS 350 is only offered with an automatic transmission. The stability control system/traction control system can be disabled by using a code during engine start. Start the car with the parking brake engaged, release the parking brake, push the brake pedal twice, holding it on the second push, engage the parking brake twice, holding it on the second, repeating until the vehicle traction light appears on the dash. The systems will be disabled until you turn off the car.

First Generation/Origins
Produced as a direct competitor to the luxury sport sedans of the leading European luxury marques, the original Altezza/IS was designed with a greater performance emphasis than typically seen on prior Japanese luxury vehicles. The design received critical acclaim at its 1998 launch, and was awarded Japan's "Car of the Year" honor for 1998-1999. A year later, Lexus began marketing the IS equivalent models in Europe, and the IS debuted in the U.S. as a 2001 model. Models included the IS 200 and IS 300 sedans, plus the IS 300 SportCross wagon.

Worldwide
The Lexus IS is now sold worldwide in every availalble Lexus market. The IS lineup, in particular the IS 220d, has become the highest-seller in Lexus Europe; the IS 250 is the Lexus standard bearer in Australia, Japan, South Africa, and other countries where it supplanted the ES as the entry-level Lexus model. In some markets (the United States, South Korea, Taiwan), the IS is sold alongside the ES, with the former catering to the luxury performance segment and the latter focused on the comfort luxury segment.

Design quirks and oddities
The arrowhead motif seen in the window line on the C-pillar, the front bumper, and other areas of the vehicle represent the Japanese concept of 'Kirikaeshi' which refers to a "rapid but fluid change of direction."

Awards

 * 2006 Best New Technology  award - Canadian Car of the Year Awards
 * Fastest in It's Class- IS 350 2006, AMCI (October 2005) AMCI-Certified Acceleration Testing, Six-Cylinder Automatic Sedans, Ward’s Segmentation
 * British automotive magazine Top Gear named the Lexus IS as the Executive Car of the Year in 2006.
 * J.D. Power and Associates named the second generation IS 250/IS 350 sedans the best vehicles in the entry luxury class in its 2006 Initial Quality Survey.
 * Ward's Auto bestowed the IS 350 V6 engine with one of its 10 Best Engines awards in 2006. The IS 350 V6 engine was also named to the Ward's 10 Best Engines list in 2007.
 * The 2007 Lexus IS was the winner of the Golden Steering Wheel Award in the Luxury category, according to German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. This award, selected by a jury panel of 25 automotive experts, was presented to Lexus in a Berlin ceremony.
 * The Canadian Car of the Year Awards, selected by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, gave the IS 350 its Best New Technology award in 2006.
 * Top Ranked Entry Luxury Car- IS 300, J.D. Power and Associates (May 2005)
 * Kelley Blue Book gave the first generation IS 300 its Best to Hold Value Award in 2001.
 * Best Prestige Car 2006 - 'Australia's Best Car Awards', awarded by a conglomoration of all Australian Motoring Clubs.