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2008 Lexus IS 250 Review

July 6, 2008

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

wide stance help give the IS 250 a muscular look
Cars.com

athletic poise
Edmunds

lacks...the crisp visual tailoring of BMW's 3 Series
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Lexus IS bears the styling hallmarks of larger Lexus sedans, according to reviews from around the Web and the firsthand impressions of TheCarConnection.com’s editors. It's part of a new styling theme for the brand that has woken up its snoozy reputation for looks. Still, the Lexus IS is more mild than wild, though the interior has nice aluminum-look trim on the console.

Cars.com points out that the 2008 Lexus IS's styling this year "bears a strong family resemblance to its larger, GS series of sport sedans." Kelley Blue Book also comments on this, calling this 2008 Lexus "visually reminiscent of the larger GS." This vehicle's visual attractiveness seems to be a matter of personal taste; Kelley Blue Book, comparing the Lexus IS to its rival BMW 3-Series, finds it lacking. The Orlando Sentinel calls this 2008 Lexus a "BMW Series-3 fighter," while Car and Driver sings its praises: "the styling Lexus gave the new IS line turns the car from sharp to stunning." The Los Angeles Times reports “the luxury division of Toyota has managed, not quite consciously, to build the 3-series that Munich would have built if they hadn’t gotten a straitjacket on design chief Chris Bangle,” and dubs the look “crowded and turbulent.”

In addition to the Lexus IS's "athletic poise [and] impressive build," the Edmunds reviewers are very impressed with its interior, describing the cabin as "impeccably finished." Car and Driver reports that the interior "has a more luxurious look, and the leather and plastic seem even better than those in the original model." ConsumerGuide describes the Lexus IS's interior in glowing terms: "decor is the Lexus-typical mix of rich-looking upholstery, soft-touch surfaces, and high-grade plastics."

Conclusion

The 2008 Lexus IS wins with styling that reminds reviewers of larger, more expensive Lexus sedans.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:wide stance help give the IS 250 a muscular lookCars.comathletic poiseEdmundslacks...the crisp visual tailoring of BMW's 3 SeriesKelley Blue Book The 2008 Lexus IS bears the styling hallmarks of larger Lexus sedans, according to reviews from around the Web and the firsthand impressions of TheCarConnection.com’s editors. It's part of a new styling theme for the brand that has woken up its snoozy reputation for looks. Still, the Lexus IS is more mild than wild, though the interior has nice aluminum-look trim on the console. Cars.com points out that the 2008 Lexus IS's styling this year "bears a strong family resemblance to its larger, GS series of sport sedans." Kelley Blue Book also comments on this, calling this 2008 Lexus "visually reminiscent of the larger GS." This vehicle's visual attractiveness seems to be a matter of personal taste; Kelley Blue Book, comparing the Lexus IS to its rival BMW 3-Series, finds it lacking. The Orlando Sentinel calls this 2008 Lexus a "BMW Series-3 fighter," while Car and Driver sings its praises: "the styling Lexus gave the new IS line turns the car from sharp to stunning." The Los Angeles Times reports “the luxury division of Toyota has managed, not quite consciously, to build the 3-series that Munich would have built if they hadn’t gotten a straitjacket on design chief Chris Bangle,” and dubs the look “crowded and turbulent.” In addition to the Lexus IS's "athletic poise [and] impressive build," the Edmunds reviewers are very impressed with its interior, describing the cabin as "impeccably finished." Car and Driver reports that the interior "has a more luxurious look, and the leather and plastic seem even better than those in the original model." ConsumerGuide describes the Lexus IS's interior in glowing terms: "decor is the Lexus-typical mix of rich-looking upholstery, soft-touch surfaces, and high-grade plastics." ConclusionThe 2008 Lexus IS wins with styling that reminds reviewers of larger, more expensive Lexus sedans.  2008 LEXUS IS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: "wide stance help give the IS 250 a muscular look" Edmunds: "athletic poise" Kelley Blue Book: "lacks...the crisp visual tailoring of BMW's 3 Series " The 2008 Lexus IS bears the styling hallmarks of larger Lexus sedans , ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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See the Lexus IS 250 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Stephanie Davis #1, Posted: 9/15/2008

    Ms

    Yesterday I was driving from Kelowna to Vancouver in my 2008 Lexus IS250. It is a very sweet ride. Excelleration, steering and handling are terrific. The car does so well in corners and on hills. This highway is through a mountain pass so there are 2 spots where the elevation hits 1200m and it just keeps ups nicely with very little decelleration. The one bone I do have to pick is that the top speed I could do for a short while was 180. I saw that because at 180 it was redlining at 4500rpm in 6th. I would have liked to see what it could do but I was hooped at 180! That is my only complaint I have about the car. Oh and also because the rear end is so high it causes quite a blind spot for us vertically challenged people.

  2. By ms monica #2, Posted: 9/28/2008

    Lexus

    LOVE IT.. shopped around with Volvo, Infinity and BMW. I left in a Lexus. Soundproof, easy to handle,great acceleration, everything is within my fingertips. Sound system is magnificant for factory, Levinson is def a winner. I'm the envy of my block!

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