Top 2 Best Used Minivans
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Lexus IS 250 Quality Review

April 24, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

adults or even large children may not be happy in the rear seat
Edmunds

comfortable up front, a little cramped in the rear
Orlando Sentinel

cabin is a relatively intimate space
Kelley Blue Book

The 2009 Lexus IS sports great front seats, slightly tight rear seats, and an ample dose of Lexus build quality inside.

The Auto Channel points out, "Since the [Lexus] IS wants to be a performance sedan, it has excellent front and rear seating...[offering] very good side support, to hold the driver and passenger in place if the driver gets too energetic." They note, though, "rear legroom is tight." Edmunds similarly advises "adults or even large children may not be happy in the rear seat on long road trips." Headroom is also at a premium. The Orlando Sentinel expresses similar sentiments: It's "comfortable up front, a little cramped in the rear." Kelley Blue Book agrees with the other reviews on this issue: "Comfortable and supportive power front seats are a welcome home for those up to six feet tall, but modest head and leg room make the three-across fixed rear bench seat best suited for sub-adolescent passengers." Cars.com reports that the 2009 Lexus IS can carry up to five passengers in relative comfort. Ventilated seats and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel make for greater driver comfort on longer trips.

According to MyRide.com, "new [Lexus] IS takes the next step toward finishing the thought with touchy-feely surfaces, comfortable seats and—though the test vehicles were pre-production—a level of quality you would expect." Edmunds calls the interior materials "impressive," with "handsome design [and] impeccable fit and finish." In terms of what's new this year, "marginal improvements" for the 2009 Lexus include scooped-out front seatbacks.

"Coarse-surface tire thrum is noticeable but not intrusive. Wind noise is modest. [The Lexus] IS 250's engine is louder than the IS 350's at high rpm, but both V6s are subdued and relaxed in highway cruising,” comments ConsumerGuide.

MyRide.com reports that storage space in the 2009 Lexus is at a premium, with a mere 13 cubic feet of cargo room. This is probably only because "the lid aids aerodynamics and also increases trunk room," as detailed by The Auto Channel.

Conclusion

The comfort and quality offered by the 2009 Lexus IS are exceptional, except in the backseat.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:adults or even large children may not be happy in the rear seatEdmundscomfortable up front, a little cramped in the rearOrlando Sentinelcabin is a relatively intimate spaceKelley Blue Book The 2009 Lexus IS sports great front seats, slightly tight rear seats, and an ample dose of Lexus build quality inside. The Auto Channel points out, "Since the [Lexus] IS wants to be a performance sedan, it has excellent front and rear seating...[offering] very good side support, to hold the driver and passenger in place if the driver gets too energetic." They note, though, "rear legroom is tight." Edmunds similarly advises "adults or even large children may not be happy in the rear seat on long road trips." Headroom is also at a premium. The Orlando Sentinel expresses similar sentiments: It's "comfortable up front, a little cramped in the rear." Kelley Blue Book agrees with the other reviews on this issue: "Comfortable and supportive power front seats are a welcome home for those up to six feet tall, but modest head and leg room make the three-across fixed rear bench seat best suited for sub-adolescent passengers." Cars.com reports that the 2009 Lexus IS can carry up to five passengers in relative comfort. Ventilated seats and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel make for greater driver comfort on longer trips. According to MyRide.com, "new [Lexus] IS takes the next step toward finishing the thought with touchy-feely surfaces, comfortable seats and—though the test vehicles were pre-production—a level of quality you would expect." Edmunds calls the interior materials "impressive," with "handsome design [and] impeccable fit and finish." In terms of what's new this year, "marginal improvements" for the 2009 Lexus include scooped-out front seatbacks. "Coarse-surface tire thrum is noticeable but not intrusive. Wind noise is modest. [The Lexus] IS 250's engine is louder than the IS 350's at high rpm, but both V6s are subdued and relaxed in highway cruising,” comments ConsumerGuide. MyRide.com reports that storage space in the 2009 Lexus is at a premium, with a mere 13 cubic feet of cargo room. This is probably only because "the lid aids aerodynamics and also increases trunk room," as detailed by The Auto Channel. ConclusionThe comfort and quality offered by the 2009 Lexus IS are exceptional, except in the backseat. 2009 LEXUS IS STYLING | [8 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "decor is the Lexus-typical mix of rich-looking upholstery” The Los Angeles Times: “crowded and turbulent” Kelley Blue Book: "lacks...the crisp visual tailoring of BMW's 3 Series " According to the firsthand impressions of ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Infiniti G37 is a relative newcomer but has impressive handling, perfect sport-sedan proportions, and available all-wheel drive. It's also substantially less expensive than the German sedans. The BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class are the perennial leaders in this segment. Both come in a range of body styles and drivetrains, and they have ultimate-performance editions—the BMW M3 and the Benz C63—that the Lexus IS-F version takes on.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Lexus IS 250 from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Lexus IS 250

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Lexus IS 250

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Lexus IS 250 near you

See the Lexus IS 250 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy