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2009 Lexus IS F Review

March 21, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

street-bruiser look
Motor Trend

engine cover is “Darth Vader's chest plate
Jalopnik

tasteful and appropriate for the flashier image of the car
Road & Track

gimmicky styling
Edmunds

TheCarConnection.com’s editors determine from multiple reviews that the 2009 Lexus IS-F exhibits respectable performance at the cost of some luxury and quietness.

Lexus builds its reputation on comfortable rides, flawless cabins, and perfect reliability—and the IS-F is all about brute power and flash. “Gimmicky styling has overshadowed the subtle good looks of the Lexus IS,” says Edmunds.com. Some details like the rear exhaust are simply dummy shapes put in place of real quad exhausts, they add. Motor Trend appreciates the “pronounced hood bulge that hints of something menacing lurking underneath,” though Road & Track takes the minority view and calls the add-ons “tasteful and appropriate.” The Detroit News says there’s no need to worry that the “IS-F might blend into the IS crowd” with its new hood, fenders, and rear spoiler.

The interior of the 2009 Lexus IS-F doesn't receive the harsh criticism to which the car’s exterior is submitted. “Inside, it’s still all Lexus all the time,” says Autoblog, noting the white carbon fiber on the console, the “easily readable gauges,” and “beautifully finished seats.” Car and Driver likes the “bling of braided aluminum trim on the doors." Under the hood, Jalopnik observes, the engine cover reminds them of “Darth Vader’s chest plate.” The cabin, however, is more sedate, offering “the style and quality we’ve come to expect of the Lexus brand,” declares Road & Track.

Conclusion

The 2009 Lexus IS-F maintains a luxurious cabin but earns demerits for its exterior styling.
 

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:street-bruiser lookMotor Trendengine cover is “Darth Vader's chest plateJalopniktasteful and appropriate for the flashier image of the carRoad & Trackgimmicky stylingEdmunds TheCarConnection.com’s editors determine from multiple reviews that the 2009 Lexus IS-F exhibits respectable performance at the cost of some luxury and quietness. Lexus builds its reputation on comfortable rides, flawless cabins, and perfect reliability—and the IS-F is all about brute power and flash. “Gimmicky styling has overshadowed the subtle good looks of the Lexus IS,” says Edmunds.com. Some details like the rear exhaust are simply dummy shapes put in place of real quad exhausts, they add. Motor Trend appreciates the “pronounced hood bulge that hints of something menacing lurking underneath,” though Road & Track takes the minority view and calls the add-ons “tasteful and appropriate.” The Detroit News says there’s no need to worry that the “IS-F might blend into the IS crowd” with its new hood, fenders, and rear spoiler. The interior of the 2009 Lexus IS-F doesn't receive the harsh criticism to which the car’s exterior is submitted. “Inside, it’s still all Lexus all the time,” says Autoblog, noting the white carbon fiber on the console, the “easily readable gauges,” and “beautifully finished seats.” Car and Driver likes the “bling of braided aluminum trim on the doors." Under the hood, Jalopnik observes, the engine cover reminds them of “Darth Vader’s chest plate.” The cabin, however, is more sedate, offering “the style and quality we’ve come to expect of the Lexus brand,” declares Road & Track. ConclusionThe 2009 Lexus IS-F maintains a luxurious cabin but earns demerits for its exterior styling.   2009 LEXUS IS-F STYLING | [7 out of 10] Motor Trend: “street-bruiser look” Jalopnik: engine cover is “Darth Vader's chest plate” Road & Track: “tasteful and appropriate for the flashier image of the car” Edmunds: “gimmicky styling” TheCarConnection.com’s editors determine from ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Mercedes-Benz C63 has a tad more interior room than the IS-F, and it rides with relative comfort and quiet if you just want to cruise on the freeway. The BMW M3 is still the most focused, tech-savvy choice, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and it’s available in either coupe or convertible versions. For those who don’t necessarily need the curve-carving track performance but want superior stoplight abilities, the Jaguar XF Supercharged gives the 2009 Lexus IS-F a run for the money and has an especially classy, awe-inspiring interior.

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See the Lexus IS F in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

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