Exterior design
When Lexus launched the second-generation IS many moons ago, we cooed softly at the company's new baby. Despite the fact that the company was still targeting Germany's finest small sedans — think Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3-series — the Japanese upstart was no longer prepared to ape them aesthetically. With the second-gen IS, Lexus has wrapped its small rear-wheel drive sedan in a body that nicely mixes hard-shouldered aggression with elegance. Dare we say it? The upstart has upstaged the old hands at producing a car whose looks scream sportiness, sophistication and luxury in the same breath.
For this year's mild facelift, Lexus has tweaked the bumpers, tail-lights and added turn indicators to the auto-folding door mirrors. There's also a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels, which, to our eyes, is probably the least successful part of the makeover. Although this writer seemed to be the lone dissenting voice regarding our review car's powder blue paint scheme, we were nonetheless impressed by the richness of the paint. As always the panel gaps are extraordinarily precise and the doors are not only pleasantly weighty but shut with a pleasing ker-thunk.
Interior design
Brilliant "optitron" lighting is easy on the eye. Click through for our photo gallery.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)
On the inside, the changes are as difficult to spot. Prizes go to anyone who notices that the buttons surrounding the touchscreen entertainment system have lost their raised centres. Lexus' signature "optitron" instrument lighting is equal parts gorgeous and clear. Pity then that its brilliance clashes with the various shades of Corolla green lighting used on buttons and switches. Likewise, Lexus has neatly juxtaposed the "classy" serif font throughout the cabin with penny pinching grey/silver plastic masquerading as metal.
Combine these faults together and the result is a cabin that, while functional and pleasing, lacks a certain something. That said, our review vehicle, with its plush white leather seats, contrasting black stitching and black leather armrests was easy on both the eye and the body, providing ample grip for a bit of enthusiastic driving while still providing a handy impersonation of a comfy sofa. Finding the correct seating position shouldn't be too difficult with both front pews, as well as the steering wheel, featuring electric adjustment and three memory settings.
Tall passengers sitting in the rear seats may be a little less impressed. The bench itself is shapely, but leg space is on the tight side even when the IS250 is packed full of vertically challenged individuals. And while the sloping roof line contributes greatly to the car's athletic and vaguely coupe-esque looks, it means that six-foot and above individuals will bump and scrape their heads against the ceiling. It also compromises the boot aperture, so, although there's an ample amount of space (400 litres), it's a hard task to fit large bulky objects in there. Also the rear seats welded firmly in place, so the only route for expansion is a small ski-port.
Features
Since when has turning a key been too hard?
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)
Our Sports Luxury model is the top-of-the-line IS in Australia — excluding the completely bonkers V8 IS-F sports sedan, of course — and, as such, comes stuffed to the gills with kit. On the safety front there are eight airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control and emergency brake assistance. The headlights are xenon units and cast a bright, blue-tinged light down the road. They also turn in sync with your steering wheel movements, so they're more likely to be pointing straight ahead even if you're scything up the Alpine Way.
In the "wow your kids" category are the auto-folding mirrors (with puddle lighting no less), motorised rear sunshade, door scuff plates that light up with a neon glow at night and proximity key. Rather more commonplace, but arguably of greater use though, are the auto wipers, which work best during constant rain, the heated mirrors and the dial-operated moonroof. There's also a set of heated and fan cooled seats for the driver and front passenger that can fry all your swimmers in extra-quick time if you're not careful.
Touchscreen
Nag, nag, nag! Don't forget to click OK before you drive off.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)
Sitting proudly in the centre of the dash is a large touchscreen LCD screen whose main duty is to display the sat nav's map. It can also be called upon to control other items, including the entertainment system, Bluetooth handsfree and the climate control system. In many instances it duplicates functions that can already be achieved via various physical buttons, such as those for the radio, CD player and air con.
Although, awkwardly, the only way to elect which vents are delivering you yummy air-conditioned air is via the touchscreen. Some items, such as the phone and settings, are either buried in tangentially related menus or rather scatalogically named. Just as annoying are the legal nag screens that demand an OK every time you start the car; there's also one for the reversing camera to be sure, to be sure.
Audio system
Unless you're a classical music aficionado, the 12.1-speaker Mark Levinson sound system fitted to our review car doesn't really begin to shine until you pump up the jam, with mid and high tones being especially crisp. Tweak the settings somewhat and bass driven music will pop for front-seat riders; rear seat passengers, however, are left to flail around in a muddy puddle of bass from the subwoofer that's mounted right behind their heads.
MP3 files can be played back either via the six-disc CD/DVD stacker or a 3.5mm auxiliary jack located in the centre console bin, but, alas, a USB slot isn't available, nor is a hard disk for ripping CDs onto. DVD movies sound good thanks to the system's surround sound processing capabilities, although movies get letterboxed into tiny town. Despite the screen's out and proud position on the dashboard, visibility is fine even in bright sunlight or through a pair of polarised sunnies.
Mix one part silence with a dash of integrated Bluetooth hands-free and you've got an environment suitable for debating the definition of determinism. Shame then that the voice control system can't be used to enter destinations into the GPS or change radio stations, but is limited to fishing out a small selection of phone numbers from your phone book. These entries require pre-recorded voice tags five seconds or longer, which, as our video review proves, can lead to some interesting results. And despite the stated claim of keeping the driver's eyes on the road, you need to be in the right menu before using this feature and you're still required to press Dial afterwards.
For more information on the Lexus touchscreen system, check back soon for our in-depth review.
Sat nav
2D map view is sooooo 2001.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)
The system seen here is essentially the same as the one seen on the current GS and LS sedans, as well as the previous generation RX. With its top-down 2D view and a lack of spoken street names, the Lexus sat nav system is in some respects less well specified than even the cheapest brand name portable GPS unit. Compounding issues further is its reliance on DVD technology, so the predictive virtual keyboard is a bit slow locking and unlocking keys during street entry, while point of interest searches are an exercise in zen-like patience.
Some of its competitors, like Merc C-Class, offer next turn instructions in the instrument cluster, so we were rather disappointed not to see it on the IS250 after its recent upgrade. On the upside, instructions are directed only at the driver, route recalculation is speedy and unobtrusive, and the system offers a choice of three routes — sometimes the same three routes — allowing you to pick your poison.
Performance
Shift paddles are useless for anything other than a quick downshift.
(Credit: Derek Fung/CNET Australia)
Despite having a set of shift paddles, the six-speed auto can't be used in a fully manual mode. Tickle the down paddle while toodling along in Drive and you'll be rewarded with an instant downshift, but otherwise the paddles and gear lever merely set the maximum gear the transmission will choose. A real pity because a proper manual mode would be a handy companion during blasts on twisty back roads; a six-speed manual is an option in the entry-level Prestige model. Point it at a corner or a roundabout and the IS250 will show that it's in for a spot of fun. Body roll is minimal and the steering pointy and sharp. Although, like every car in recent memory, almost none of what the tyres sense is transmitted through to your fingertips, while the self-centring feels eerily like a gaming wheel.
When the first Lexus debuted 20 years ago, much was made of its cone of silence progress and that tradition has been bequeathed to the baby of the range. Even with the windows down and the pedal to the metal, the IS250 is as quiet as limousines from a generation or two ago. The six-speed auto slurs between gears so unobtrusively that you'd be hard pressed to tell which gear it's in without the aid of electronics. And, despite wearing a thick set of tyres and 17-inch alloy wheels, the ride is firm yet comfortable, with just a hint of tyre slap when riding roughshod over Sydney's road craters.
The 2.5-litre V6 boasts 153kW of power and 252Nm of torque and, although it needs a bit of prodding at low speed, is supremely smooth and loves a good rev. Weighing about 1.6 tonnes, the IS250 will sprint to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds. Driving primarily in the inner city and with just a passing thought for economy, green trees and climate change, we managed fuel economy of 12.1L/100km.
On the motorway the IS250 is, as expected, quiet, brisk and relaxed, with wind rustle and tyre roar reduced to being bit-part players. Aiding the serenity is the radar cruise control, which (once you've set a maximum speed) will maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front, even braking when necessary. Less well liked was the foot operated parking brake.
Conclusion
It mightn't have a blue-and-white roundel or a three-pointed star, but what the IS250 lacks in badge snobbery, it makes up for in good looks, seemingly rock-solid quality, neat handling and serenity enough to becalm a frazzled monk. Shame then that its tech package is a little deficient, surely a USB slot and 3D sat nav isn't too much of a stretch for the engineers at Toyota City. And let's not even mention the voice recognition system.
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