Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

IS great combination of sports and luxury

Lexus strikes balance between graceful and predatory
img-0-5482755.jpg
As far as ergonomics go, the IS's dashboard is merely OK, with buttons of all shapes and sizes surrounding an LCD display that sits below two air vents.

In the '90s, Lexus was the antiBMW. Instead of producing "Ultimate Driving Machines," Toyota's luxury division built its reputation on cars such as the ES and LS-sedans that isolated you from the road, championing comfort over performance. So, when the rear-wheel-drive IS sedan was introduced in 1998, no one in North America really knew what to think of it. Was Lexus really trying to go toe-to-toe with BMW?

Yes it was... and no, it wasn't. The IS (short for "Intelligent Sport") immediately became the most spirited vehicle in Lexus's line-up, but the automaker clearly lacked the reputation and-more importantly-the experience necessary to produce a true rival to BMW's 3-Series sedan. So, while BMW was one of many targets, Lexus engineers were likely more concerned with separating themselves from Honda/Acura, their chief competitor at the time.

What was the original IS, then? It was a great starting point for Lexus. A 2005 redesign turned the IS into one of the best-looking vehicles in its class, and the platform was extended with the introduction of a hardtop-convertible version. However, the big news came in 2007, with the arrival of the performance-tuned IS F. Paving the way for the LFA supercar, the V8-powered IS F was primed to compete with the top dog in the sports-sedan world, the BMW M3, and Lexus's entry has held its own against the best that Germany can offer. That's quite an accomplishment for the antiBMW.

The challenge now is to dial back the excitement to a level where consumers can afford it. While a base IS 250 is a very reasonable $32,900, the IS F more than doubles in price, retailing for $69,950. In order to improve its standing as a performance automaker, Lexus needs a model that's more accessible, priced to take on mid-tier sports sedans such as the Audi S4, BMW 335i, Infiniti G37. So, that's just what it has done.

For 2011, Lexus has introduced a catalogue of F-Sport performance and styling enhancements borrowed from the IS F, as well as an F-Sport Package available exclusively on the rear-wheel-drive IS 350. With the augmentations, an IS 350 F-Sport offers perhaps 80 per cent of the performance and enjoyment you'll get from an IS F, at much lower price point. That's an impressive bargain.

Perhaps the only annoyance is that you can't get the F-Sport Package with any other IS model, though you can purchase the components separately (at greater expense). So, while the rearwheel-drive IS 350 F-Sport may prove more fun to drive than a similarly priced S4, the Audi's allwheel-drive capabilities remain an important differentiator in cold-weather Canada.

In a world full of German sports sedans, it's nice to know that we have alternatives. Who knew, 13 years ago, that one of the best sports sedans would come from Lexus?

Design

The IS was already a goodlooking car, and the F-Sport accessories give the sedan a sharper edge. Much of the expression comes from the dark-graphite 10spoke wheels and front lip spoiler, which combine to give the IS 350 a more athletic profile. The exterior details are rounded out with a decklid spoiler and F-Sport badges.

If the goal was to strike a balance between the graceful IS and the predatory IS F, then Lexus designers have succeeded. The subtle changes augment the IS 350 without veering into the garish.

Inside, the IS 350 still has the business-like feel of a Lexus, with additions such as an F-Sport shifter, aluminum scuff plates and foot pedals, and a steering wheel covered in perforated leather with white, baseball-seam stitching. As always, this Lexus is superbly built. Performance

Power comes from a wonderful, 3.5L V6 generating 306-hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, attached to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission (the latter with paddle shifters). The engine hums along beautifully, delivering power instantaneously and with a throaty roar augmented by the performance exhaust system.

In addition to the exhaust system, F-Sport enhancements include a sport suspension, performance shocks and springs, thicker stabilizer bars, and upgraded brakes.

With the revised suspension and stronger brakes, the IS 350 F-Sport's handling is simply phenomenal. The sedan is much firmer than the base IS without losing its smoothness, giving it great agility and precision.

As good as the driving experience is, the IS 350 F-Sport's best selling feature may be that it retains much of the renowned Lexus ride quality, which means that the performance comes with virtually no tradeoffs. It's faster to react and far more responsive to steering input, but still comfortable on rough roads.

Environment

Interior space is not a strength of the compact IS platform, but the F-Sport improvements make that less of an issue. With its enhanced performance, the small IS 350 F-Sport sedan can be seen as a practical alternative to a luxury sports coupe, offering four doors and a decent trunk. Of course, that still doesn't help it against other sedans.

The power-adjustable, heated sport seats are extremely well designed.

They have grippy microfibre inserts and firm side bolsters that are cut away below the shoulders to allow a full range of movement. They keep you locked in place under hard cornering without feeling cramped or uncomfortable.

As far as ergonomics go, the IS's dashboard is merely OK, with buttons of all shapes and sizes surrounding an LCD display that sits below two air vents. It would be better to get the LCD higher up to improve visibility, while also creating space for a more compact switchgear layout.

Features The IS 350 starts at $44,950 with all-wheel drive, rising to $51,250 for the rear-wheel-drive model equipped with the standard F-Sport Package. That makes the IS 350 one of the few vehicles for which allwheel drive is the less-expensive alternative (because the all-wheeldrive model doesn't come standard with the F package).

In addition to the various F-Sport additions, standard equipment on the IS 350 includes ABS, dual-zone air conditioning, power tilt-and-telescope steering, heated front seats, moonroof, Xenon headlamps, fog lamps, Smart Key system, GPS navigation, backup camera, 13-speaker stereo with six-disc CD changer, and front/ side/side-curtain airbags.

Fuel efficiency is rated at 10.5L/100km in the city and 7.3L/100km on the highway.

THUMBS UP

Fantastic exterior upgrades; superb handling. Smooth ride and high performance feel.

THUMBS DOWN

Limiting of F-Sport Package to IS 350 RWD.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

A wonderful balance of performance, price, and practicality.

COMPETITORS:

. Audi S4

The $53,000 S4 employs a supercharged 3.0L V6 with 333-hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and comes with standard quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or seven-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Balanced, practical, and highly capable in all weather conditions, the S4 is an extremely rewarding sedan to own, but isn't as much fun to drive as its rear-wheeldrive competitors.

. BMW 3-Series Starting at $34,900, the 3-Series rises to $51,400 for the rearwheel-drive 335i. It features a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six producing 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, coupled to a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available for just $700 more.

The 3-Series remains the benchmark for luxury sports sedans, with solid handling that owes much to BMW's continued emphasis on a near 50: 50 weight distribution from front to back.

. Infiniti G37 $46,540 is a very reasonable price for the top-end G37 M6 Sport, powered by a 3.7L V6 with 328-hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, and equipped with a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and a sport-tuned suspension.

The G37 doesn't have quite the sporting edge of the IS 350 F-Sport-for that you have to go to the $57,200 IPL G Coupe-but even in its base form Infiniti's entry-level car is one of the sharpest looking sedans on the road.

[email protected]