2010 Lexus IS 250C - Page 1 Review

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Shopping for a 2010 Lexus IS 250C? MSRP: $39,440 - $40,610

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The experts at TheCarConnection.com have thoroughly tested the 2010 Lexus IS C and have, from a range of other sources, compiled this full review that brings you useful highlights. This Bottom Line review sums up the opinion and observations of TheCarConnection.com’s editors and compares the IS C to rival convertibles.

The 2010 Lexus IS C is the second convertible model to come from Lexus, and the first time the brand has offered a more compact, affordable luxury drop-top. The model isn’t as overtly sporty and compromised as a roadster—thanks to a real back seat and an excellent folding hard top—but it’s more exciting than ‘cruiser’ convertibles.

While it shares many features with the IS sedans, the IS C’s silhouette is very different from the sedans and nearly all of its panels are unique. The IS-C isn’t as drop-dead gorgeous as the upcoming Audi A5 ragtop or as purposeful as the BMW 3-Series Convertible. It has the same rakish hoodline and assertive stance as the IS sedan from the front, but from the side and back it appears as a little plain or conservative; the look could even be called out as a bit too slab-sided from the doors back through the rear fenders. Inside, it’s a similar tale; the IS C’s cabin isn’t stunningly beautiful, but it’s attractive. Its instrument panel is almost identical to that in the IS sedans. Fortunately, you won’t find a complicated interface like BMW’s iDrive or Audi’s MMI; that leaves a few more buttons and a little more clutter, but most will be happy with the tradeoff. A few flamboyant two-tone color choices for the interior break from the straight-laced look but not all are so well coordinated.