Lexus IS 250 - IS 300 - IS 350 History
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The Lexus IS models are compact six-cylinder sport sedans, offering sportier, more flamboyant styling to go with their performance emphasis. In the Lexus sedan model line, the IS models have kept more in line with the GS in emphasizing sportiness—taking on the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and Infiniti G35—while the ES and LS have emphasized comfort.
The IS was first introduced for 2001, then a rebadged lightly reconfigured version of the Toyota Altezza, a performance model sold in Japan. With a 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, the IS 300 was taken seriously by U.S. enthusiasts almost right away and seen as a rival to the BMW 3-Series. Though the IS didn't quite have the handling and near-perfect balance of the BMW 3-Series, it offered strong performance, with its rating of 215 hp allowing 0-60 sprints in less than 7.5 seconds, and it had a number of appearance cues—like the chronograph-style gauge cluster—that were sportier than anything else in the Lexus lineup.
The first-generation IS 300 was also offered in a sport-wagon variant. Called the IS 300 SportCross, this wagon sold poorly when new but has since become sought-after on the used-car market.
While the original IS models drove well from an enthusiast standpoint and were extremely well put-together as well as reliable, they had quite basic interior appointments—as well as quite noisy interiors—that were more in line with vehicles in the Toyota line than those with the Lexus badge.
The IS was completely redesigned for 2006, adopting underpinnings that were based in part on the larger GS sport sedan. Since then, the lineup has been expanded to include IS 250 and IS 350 models, with the IS 250 available with all-wheel drive. The 204-hp IS 250 models' 2.5-liter engine produces just enough power to be enjoyable with the standard six-speed manual, but it's too taxed with all-wheel drive or the automatic transmission. The best pick of the two is by far the confident IS 350, which has a completely different character thanks to its 306 hp and more accessible low-rpm torque.
The two models both handle quite well, but the current Lexus IS models have never quite gained the "underground" tuner following that the earlier 2001-2005 models enjoyed, but the newer models are far more civil and enjoyable for day-to-day driving and passenger comfort. Backseat space has always been very tight in the IS, whether we're talking about the current or former versions, though the newer IS has a much better-damped, quieter ride.
Lexus has tried to stoke enthusiast interest in the IS with both the introduction of a 417-hp, V-8-powered IS-F performance model, as well as a line of dealer-installed F-Sport accessories that bring a much more aggressive appearance as well as suspension, braking, and exhaust upgrades.
The 2010 model year also marked the introduction of an all-new IS C convertible—offered in IS 250C and IS 350C models, both with rear-wheel drive. With an excellent retractable hardtop, good ride quality, and reasonably good cargo space, with a small but modest back seat to boot, the IS C is a nice alternative to the BMW 3-Series Convertible at a competitive price.
