2008 Lexus IS F Review

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Not tested
NHTSA

Good” for front and side impacts
IIHS

turned-off stability control “is asking for a crash
AutoMedia

stability control “cuts in far too early
Road & Track

The 2008 Lexus IS-F’s safety package is comprehensive, but its electronic stability controls leave the enthusiasts unsatisfied and the consumer reviewers wondering why it can be disengaged.

The basics of the Lexus IS-F’s safety aren’t controversial at all. The IS-F sports all the expected airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control as standard. Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t tested the new Lexus sports sedan, the private Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has—and it’s rated the Lexus IS-F as “good” for both front and side impact protection.

The controversy comes from the switchable stability control, which will “allow you to have plenty of fun on back roads.” It can be turned off by drivers, but AutoMedia warns that doing so is “is asking for a crash,” since the IS-F’s power will “cause the tail to slide excessively.” Still, the enthusiasts aren’t entirely satisfied with the control over the system: Road & Track says the “Sport mode cuts in far too early to allow much fun.”

For the average consumer, MotherProof.com’s assessment rings truest: “I felt perfectly safe and steady.”

Conclusion

A strong safety package and user-controlled stability aids give the 2008 Lexus IS-F the safety of a world-class sedan.


Read More of this Review:

  1. Styling
  2. Performance
  3. Quality
  4. Safety
  5. Features

Other Choices:

    The Lexus IS-F competes on performance and price directly with the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and the BMW M3 sedan. The Benz C63 has a tad more interior room, while the BMW M3 gets a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission later in the year. The M3 also is offered in coupe and convertible versions. The Audi RS4 is the only car in this group to offer all-wheel drive, but its pricetag is also substantially higher.

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See the Lexus IS F in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

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