Lexus is well regarded for its quality and
dependability; along with its customer service. Last year, the brand topped all
four of JD Powers' quality and service surveys in the US. But in markets
outside the US, Lexus has a staid image, something the company is keen to
change with its sharper L-Finesse design. This started with the GS, and
continues with the new IS. Penned under Lexus' new tag line, Soul Meets
Machine, the swoopy IS channels the look of the LF-CC concept and is the most
eye-catching Lexus to date. The third generation of the IS line, the new car
addresses two main issues of the old model, a lack of rear leg room and a small
boot. The new IS is bigger all round, with 70mm added to the wheelbase. Along
with a repackaged interior, rear passengers now enjoy an added 85mm of leg
room. The extra length is appreciable, with only foot space at a premium now.
Up front, there's a sporty; low-set driving position and an interesting dash
design. That it's superbly put together goes without saying. The boot grows 82L
to 480L in total and gets split folding as well, making for a more versatile
package.
The
exterior designers owe the chassis engineers an apology as it will sell on the
way it drives, not on the way it looks
The IS does cost more however, with the
starting point for the IS250 at $73,995 while the IS350 Limited is at $108,395,
whereas it was previously $96,000. These two models feature carryover V6
powertrains, though the 350 adopts an eight -speed auto from the IS F. The 250,
the most popular, still lacks for midrange pull while the 350 moves more
convincingly, and sounds much better with its noise generator. But the extra
80kW and 126Nm over the 153kw/252Nm 250 commands a hefty $21,000 premium, model
for model.
The
interior is modern, well laid out, and the quality of the materials is superb.
The digital dash display looks like it's from a sportscar, not an executive
sedan
All models are available with the F Sport
package which, while it adds $11,000 to the bottom line, is an option worth ticking.
Not only does it add a sportier look, but also variable dampers to improve both
ride comfort and dynamics, and safety equipment like radar –based cruise
control, and crash detection and blind spot systems, amongst other niceties,
including a variable-ratio steering rack for the 350.
On the move, the IS is easily the sportiest
Lexus, with reasonable feedback through the steering, and plenty of stability
in the many bends of the Gentle Annie road thanks to its wider track and
extended wheelbase. It's reasonably well isolated from road and wind noise too.
The
Lexus' engine, albeit rather crude and old tech, gets on with the job and works
smoothly
New to the IS line up is the 300h, a hybrid
with a 2.5-litre four and electric motor which makes a combined power output of
164kW It might not be the star performer in terms of a drive thanks to its CVT
transmission, but comparing the urban fuel ratings of each model highlights the
hybrid's advantage. Where the 250 is rated at 12.4L/100km, and the 350 at 13.7L/100km,
the hybrid is claimed to return 5.0L/100km, and 4.9 overall. It also enjoys a
full-size boot with its compact NiMH battery pack located under the floor in
place of the spare wheel.
Though Lexus remains behind the big three
German brands in image here, the new IS is certainly worth a test drive before
defaulting to the 3 Series/ A4/C-Class.
