Infotainment Review: Lexus IS200t

Initial reactions to the new Lexus display audio infotainment system, as tested here in the IS 200t, can be underwhelming.  The unremarkable display screen, the lack of many hard buttons for infotainment functions and the cheap feel of the controller 'joystick' make it hard to get excited upon first use.

But dig a little deeper behind the somewhat garishly presented default colour scheme and there is plenty of technical depth to be found.

The controller is actually quite intuitive after a bit of practice and soon it is easy to pursue the options available. In fact, you will appreciate the loose yet segmented movement of the controller, which allows for easy hitting of the hotspots required.

All the essentials are here, with some surprising elements. Bluetooth connectivity is one of the swiftest on the market, and the ability to rewind DAB (digital) radio is something that should be in more vehicles equipped with the technology.

Phone and climate controls can all be controlled and manipulated via the central screen.

Register your Lexus, download the Enform application for your connected smartphone and the range of abilities for the infotainment system is extended to weather and parking and fuel locations, as well as opening up the Enform Concierge if you want some human help to get you where you need to be.

Even without getting connected via the Enform suite of applications, Lexus owners will be able to enjoy the integrated Pandora software, giving access to a huge set of internet radio streaming services.

These connected features rival some of the more expensive options available from other marques.  Our experience with the human side of the concierge services in particular was pleasant, professional and helpful.

The navigation system has its own 500-page manual, which is somewhat deceptive given the rather plain look graphically.

Again, dig a bit deeper and there are some nice features.  Plonk in a route and start guidance and the system will let you know just how dense the traffic is ahead, even with comments like “traffic is bumper to bumper on this route”.

With a hot-spot connected smartphone web search for a destination is available and neatly integrated.

Another nice feature is present when hitting the 'back' button. The Lexus central screen will split into two vertically and contextually to show the current mode as well as leaving a selection for something else. For example, there is enough screen space to comfortably display the audio content information alongside the sat-nav route map.

The driver's instrument panel is a mix of physical and digital displays, with the central speedo and tacho combination screen actually shifting to the right to accommodate an extended information display if required.

It is quite nifty and stylishly minimalistic in contrast to the central dash screen, which despite some graphically clever ideas can become cluttered in an inconsistent way.

The system's voice command response is a little hit and miss, in a way that will turn most people off using it, and if you are stationary and want to play a DVD, the high dash lip and deep seating of the screen will obscure the view for anybody in the rear seats.

Audio quality is impressive, thanks in part to some detailed surround sound settings that can optimise the ear-drum enjoyment.

If the team at Lexus can think a little more about the user interfaces controlling the infotainment system's centre display, and take a leaf out of the subtle design book of the instrument panel, there is plenty of technology on offer here.