The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt: A Very Competent...
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

2010 Lexus IS 250C Performance Review

August 29, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Make no mistake, this convertible is made for the boulevard
Autoblog

Manual-override paddle shifters work, but they’re pretty pointless unless you’ve got transmission control anxiety
Jalopnik

No complaints on ride quality
Motor Trend

The new ad campaign for the 2010 Lexus IS C might try and convince you that the Lexus IS C is a sports convertible (not that anyone’s really sure what the 15-second spots are trying to convey), but don’t be fooled—as TheCarConnection.com’s editors point out, this is no BMW.

The two variants of the Lexus IS C are distinguished first and foremost by their unique powertrains. Car and Driver says “the engine choices—a 204-hp, 2.5-liter V-6 and a 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6-are identical to the IS sedan’s,” but the added weight of the Lexus IS C makes them somewhat less exciting in this application. In the Lexus IS 250C, Autoblog reports that 0-60 mph “arrives in an estimated 8.4 seconds—only a half second slower than the sedan…but from the driver’s seat, it feels far slower than Lexus’ claimed five-tenths.” The 3.5-liter in the 2010 Lexus IS 350C is somewhat more capable, however, as Motor Trend notes that “Lexus claims 0-60 in 5.8 sec, which feels right.” Regardless of which option you choose, Autoblog feels that “this convertible is made for the boulevard” and not the drag strip.

The Lexus IS C lineup can claim an enthusiast-oriented manual transmission, but it's only available with the Lexus IS 250C. Autoblog reviewers state that the less-powerful model “is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic, and [the] IS 350C is packaged exclusively...with the self-shifting six-speed.” The automatics do come with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, but Jalopnik says they are more or less unnecessary, since “the canned programming does an admirable job of predicting your intentions.” The manual isn’t quite so well received; Edmunds feels “the sloppy linkage makes you think of a Mustang V6 rental car from the 1990s,” and many reviewers recommend opting for the automatic.

One area where the 2010 Lexus IS C remains competitive with its German counterparts is in terms of fuel economy, especially in Lexus IS 250C trim. According to the official EPA estimates, the 2010 Lexus IS 250C should get 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with the manual transmission, while the automatic boasts a 21/29 rating. The 2010 Lexus IS 350C, meanwhile, delivers a respectable 18 mpg city and 25 mpg on the open road.

The Lexus IS C can’t quite hang with most sports convertibles in the acceleration department, but it really begins to fall behind when it comes to handling. Autoblog reviewers feel it's pretty easy to tell that Lexus’s tuning “emphasized luxury over sport,” as “both the steering and handling felt like they were set on ‘shopping.’” Car and Driver agrees the Lexus IS C isn’t a canyon carver, claiming you feel the convertible’s extra weight “in corners where this weighty ship rolls and porpoises a bit more than the sedan.” The flip side of the less aggressive suspension tuning is that the Lexus IS C offers a soft and supple ride, with Motor Trend labeling the car “supple without being mushy.” When it comes time to stop, Jalopnik reports that the optional F-Sport brakes provide “snappy stops” thanks to the “giant cross drilled brakes” included with the package.

Conclusion

Performance in the 2010 Lexus IS C is extraordinarily good compared to cruiser convertibles, but it's not quite as sharp and well honed as rivals like the BMW 3-Series.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Make no mistake, this convertible is made for the boulevardAutoblogManual-override paddle shifters work, but they’re pretty pointless unless you’ve got transmission control anxietyJalopnikNo complaints on ride qualityMotor Trend The new ad campaign for the 2010 Lexus IS C might try and convince you that the Lexus IS C is a sports convertible (not that anyone’s really sure what the 15-second spots are trying to convey), but don’t be fooled—as TheCarConnection.com’s editors point out, this is no BMW. The two variants of the Lexus IS C are distinguished first and foremost by their unique powertrains. Car and Driver says “the engine choices—a 204-hp, 2.5-liter V-6 and a 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6-are identical to the IS sedan’s,” but the added weight of the Lexus IS C makes them somewhat less exciting in this application. In the Lexus IS 250C, Autoblog reports that 0-60 mph “arrives in an estimated 8.4 seconds—only a half second slower than the sedan…but from the driver’s seat, it feels far slower than Lexus’ claimed five-tenths.” The 3.5-liter in the 2010 Lexus IS 350C is somewhat more capable, however, as Motor Trend notes that “Lexus claims 0-60 in 5.8 sec, which feels right.” Regardless of which option you choose, Autoblog feels that “this convertible is made for the boulevard” and not the drag strip. The Lexus IS C lineup can claim an enthusiast-oriented manual transmission, but it's only available with the Lexus IS 250C. Autoblog reviewers state that the less-powerful model “is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic, and [the] IS 350C is packaged exclusively...with the self-shifting six-speed.” The automatics do come with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, but Jalopnik says they are more or less unnecessary, since “the canned programming does an admirable job of predicting your intentions.” The manual isn’t quite so well received; Edmunds feels “the sloppy linkage makes you think of a Mustang V6 rental car from the 1990s,” and many reviewers recommend opting for the automatic. One area where the 2010 Lexus IS C remains competitive with its German counterparts is in terms of fuel economy, especially in Lexus IS 250C trim. According to the official EPA estimates, the 2010 Lexus IS 250C should get 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with the manual transmission, while the automatic boasts a 21/29 rating. The 2010 Lexus IS 350C, meanwhile, delivers a respectable 18 mpg city and 25 mpg on the open road. The Lexus IS C can’t quite hang with most sports convertibles in the acceleration department, but it really begins to fall behind when it comes to handling. Autoblog reviewers feel it's pretty easy to tell that Lexus’s tuning “emphasized luxury over sport,” as “both the steering and handling felt like they were set on ‘shopping.’” Car and Driver agrees the Lexus IS C isn’t a canyon carver, claiming you feel the convertible’s extra weight “in corners where this weighty ship rolls and porpoises a bit more than the sedan.” The flip side of the less aggressive suspension tuning is that the Lexus IS C offers a soft and supple ride, with Motor Trend labeling the car “supple without being mushy.” When it comes time to stop, Jalopnik reports that the optional F-Sport brakes provide “snappy stops” thanks to the “giant cross drilled brakes” included with the package. ConclusionPerformance in the 2010 Lexus IS C is extraordinarily good compared to cruiser convertibles, but it's not quite as sharp and well honed as rivals like the BMW 3-Series. 2010 LEXUS IS C STYLING | [6 out of 10] Car and Driver: “It looks to the untrained eyes like a sedan that has met a hacksaw” Motor Trend: “You’ll recognize the C as a member of the IS family, yet every body panel save the hood is new” ConsumerGuide: “Lexus’ usual large, legible gauges ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The new IS C isn’t the softest and most comfort-oriented vehicle, but it isn’t the most performance-focused either. In this pack of luxury-brand convertibles, the IS C has more of a performance edge than the Volvo C70; the front-wheel-drive Volvo has great seats and a roomy trunk, however. The Mercedes-Benz CLK feels heavier and more grown-up than the IS C, and it’s offered in a powerful V-8 CLK550 model, but even the base CLK350 is a lot more expensive than the Lexus, and it comes with a soft-top setup that’s not quite as isolated from the elements as the IS C’s tight top. The IS C’s most direct rival is probably the BMW 3-Series Convertible. The 2010 Lexus IS 250C just doesn’t keep up with the 328i Convertible, but compared to the 335i Convertible, the Lexus IS 350C is a sportier, more compelling alternative, priced at thousands less and with more usable backseat space; like the IS C, the Volvo and BMW come with a retractable hardtop. Two new rivals to be introduced this year will also be hot alternatives for open-air motoring: the Audi A5 and G37 Convertible. Audi sticks with a traditional soft top for the A5, but its interior is absolutely stunning. Meanwhile, the next G37 Convertible promises performance near the front of the pack; it also will get a retractable hardtop, done in steel rather than the IS C’s lighter-weight aluminum.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2010 Lexus IS 250C from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2010 Lexus IS 250C

Check Financing Rates

for the 2010 Lexus IS 250C

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2010 Lexus IS 250C near you

See the Lexus IS 250C in Other Years:

2010

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