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2010 Lexus IS 250C Safety Review

August 29, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Not yet tested
NHTSA

Not yet tested
IIHS

A pop-up rollover bar behind the rear seats adds a dimension of safety
Edmunds

The 2010 Lexus IS C convertible lineup boasts top-notch safety features inside and out. Although the Lexus IS C has not yet been crash tested, it offers enough to keep most consumers satisfied even without the attendant test scores.

The 2010 Lexus IS 250C and 350C haven’t yet undergone IIHS or NHTSA crash tests, but the IS sedan on which they are based scores an acceptable mix of four- and five-star ratings. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also point out that the 2010 Lexus IS C is strengthened above and beyond the standard IS sedan, so the scores should come in somewhat higher for the convertible. Stay tuned to TheCarConnection.com for the latest updates on the Lexus IS C’s crash-test scores.

Inside the Lexus IS 250C and 350C, drivers will find a long list of standard safety features working in concert to keep all occupants safe. Kelley Blue Book states that “standard safety features include anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, front airbags and seat-mounted airbags that protect the head and torso of front-seat occupants.” Convertibles present a slew of additional safety problems when the top is down, but Edmunds reports that “a pop-up rollover bar behind the rear seats adds a dimension of safety, as do lateral beams behind and below the rear seats.” In short, Lexus appears to have done everything right when it comes to safety features on the 2010 Lexus IS C lineup.

The Lexus IS 250C and its quicker brother the 350C both afford drivers a tremendous amount of visibility, especially with their tops down. ConsumerGuide says that visibility from within the convertibles is “far better to the rear corners” than on the sedans, “thanks to fold-down rear headrests and narrow roof pillars.” Kelley Blue Book adds that “outward visibility is decent with the top raised and enhanced by rear headrests that flip down with the pull of a lever placed within reach of the driver.” Whether the top is up or down, however, visibility directly behind the car can be compromised during parking-lot maneuvers. Fortunately, Kelley Blue Book reports that a “back-up camera” and “front and rear parking sensors” are available on the entire Lexus IS C lineup.

Conclusion

A reinforced body structure, plus all the expected safety features, means the 2010 Lexus IS C is no slouch in protection.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Not yet testedNHTSANot yet testedIIHSA pop-up rollover bar behind the rear seats adds a dimension of safetyEdmunds The 2010 Lexus IS C convertible lineup boasts top-notch safety features inside and out. Although the Lexus IS C has not yet been crash tested, it offers enough to keep most consumers satisfied even without the attendant test scores. The 2010 Lexus IS 250C and 350C haven’t yet undergone IIHS or NHTSA crash tests, but the IS sedan on which they are based scores an acceptable mix of four- and five-star ratings. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also point out that the 2010 Lexus IS C is strengthened above and beyond the standard IS sedan, so the scores should come in somewhat higher for the convertible. Stay tuned to TheCarConnection.com for the latest updates on the Lexus IS C’s crash-test scores. Inside the Lexus IS 250C and 350C, drivers will find a long list of standard safety features working in concert to keep all occupants safe. Kelley Blue Book states that “standard safety features include anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, front airbags and seat-mounted airbags that protect the head and torso of front-seat occupants.” Convertibles present a slew of additional safety problems when the top is down, but Edmunds reports that “a pop-up rollover bar behind the rear seats adds a dimension of safety, as do lateral beams behind and below the rear seats.” In short, Lexus appears to have done everything right when it comes to safety features on the 2010 Lexus IS C lineup. The Lexus IS 250C and its quicker brother the 350C both afford drivers a tremendous amount of visibility, especially with their tops down. ConsumerGuide says that visibility from within the convertibles is “far better to the rear corners” than on the sedans, “thanks to fold-down rear headrests and narrow roof pillars.” Kelley Blue Book adds that “outward visibility is decent with the top raised and enhanced by rear headrests that flip down with the pull of a lever placed within reach of the driver.” Whether the top is up or down, however, visibility directly behind the car can be compromised during parking-lot maneuvers. Fortunately, Kelley Blue Book reports that a “back-up camera” and “front and rear parking sensors” are available on the entire Lexus IS C lineup. ConclusionA reinforced body structure, plus all the expected safety features, means the 2010 Lexus IS C is no slouch in protection. 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.

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See the Lexus IS 250C in Other Years:

2010

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