Lexus IS 200t 2015 Review

Lexus IS 200t Sport Luxury 2015 Review
Road Test

The IS in this generation hasn't been in the local market all that long, but it's already facing some pretty stiff competition. Even this 2.0-litre turbocharged variant is already under pressure from Benz's storming C 250, BMW's newly updated 3 Series (as the 330i) and Jaguar's just-off-the-boat XE.

Underneath its predatory-looking nose, the IS 200t is a bit of a pussy cat – and not in a Jaguar-sort of way. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder features matching bore and stroke, plus turbocharging and combined port and direct injection, to deliver peak torque – 350Nm – that can be exploited from as low as 1650rpm.

But where the competitive cars mentioned above deliver zesty, snarly power and performance, the Lexus pushes off without any real sense of urgency, and it emits more of a by-the-numbers exhaust note right through the rev range. All very refined and moderately sporty, of course, but there's little of the aural spice present in the other cars – which are powered by very similar engines.

Among its competitors, the Lexus is one of the front runners for engine output, but its power-to-weight ratio clearly indicates the engine is struggling with the car's kerb mass. And there's bound to be a perception that the low NVH levels in the Lexus and the flat torque curve mean the IS 200t will be no match for its rivals, but the claimed 0-100km/h time for the IS 200t – at seven seconds – is actually only 0.2 seconds slower than the Jaguar XE 25t. Contributing to an impression power and torque are missing in action, the accelerator pedal in the Lexus feels soft under foot and needs a determined prod for the engine to wake up – which it does after a discrete interval.

Coupled to the engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission that works well in the car's Sport or Sport+ modes, and the shift paddles do get the engine back on the boil that much sooner. Also, to the transmission's credit, operating in manual (and sequential shift mode), it won't kick down to an even lower gear unexpectedly. And the transmission will shift up automatically at the engine's redline, even if the driver is using the shift paddles.

Fuel consumption for the week was 10.8L/100km, which wasn't fabulous given the car was driven gently most of the week, and travelled at least 80km on freeways during that period. On the open road the IS 200t proved very quiet, as expected. The cabin was properly isolated from road noise – although roar from the tyres was present on coarse-chip country bitumen. At 100km/h, the engine was revving at around 1800rpm. There was some evidence of low-pitched vibration at that speed, and the transmission – tuned to keep fuel consumption low – did force the engine to labour a little at 1500rpm or less on occasions. That said, the engine was a thoroughly smooth unit most of the time.

Driven briskly the IS 200t felt light on its feet, but try a bit harder and the Lexus was out of its depth. A conventional 'slow in, fast out' approach to a corner would have the front tyres protesting pointedly on the exit. Adhesion was still in the same general ballpark as its rivals, but the handling was not quite as poised. The Lexus felt a little better on the approach to a corner in more of a rally hero style – more speed, some engine braking and turn in. But even so, any sign of oversteer or even neutral handling in the IS 200t was promptly quashed by the stability control system. Steering was disappointing on centre too, but there was some feedback away from the straight ahead.

In the right sort of environment the Lexus could be placed accurately on the road, but turn-in wasn't as sharp. In fairness, the Lexus is a safe handling car and there's no denying its roadholding is competitive. It's also a very quiet and comfortable car, but it's simply pitted against rivals that are almost universally cars calibrated for the enthusiast. I can't help feeling that the F Sport variant would be a better option for those who want more from their mid-size prestige sedan than just comfortable touring and safe dynamics – but can't forego the traditional Lexus virtues of understated quality and reliability.

Packaging is arguably an improvement on the Jaguar XE's, offering better legroom in the rear, as well as extra headroom and easier entry – although the roofline over the rear doors is still a little low. As with its competition, the Lexus has a boot that's stingy – and with gooseneck hinges that diminish the total luggage capacity by a significant degree. But at least the rear seats can be folded down from latches in the cabin itself to liberate more load space. The seats in the Lexus, both front and rear, are well shaped for comfort and support. From the driving position the seat base feels slightly short. Measuring about the right thickness of rim and the right diameter for a clear view of the instruments, the steering wheel was easily adjusted to the ideal position for reach and rake, but the remote switches on the spokes were convoluted.

There's no question that the Lexus is built to a quality standard, but the fascia panel for the innovative temperature adjustment of the climate control system is a flat, plastic unit. It looks dull, but the touch-sensitive slide controls set within it are easy to use. Driver or front passenger can readily raise or lower the temperature in each respective zone by running a finger up or down along each slide control. The audio system controls include matt-finish metal knobs that are a little finicky to use.

On the whole, the dash and centre fascia looked busy, and the two-tier style of the dash didn't seem properly integrated, to my eye. Switches for features like the lane departure warning system are bundled out of the way on the dashboard, to the lower right of the steering column. In a relatively small cabin like that of the IS 200t, the foot-operated parking brake is a little annoying, although once it's released it tucks up out of the way. Yet it has to be acknowledged, if you'd never driven a BMW, a Jaguar, a Mercedes-Benz or a Lexus before, it's the Lexus that would be easiest to just start driving immediately. The gear selector is a conventional gated unit, and the wiper and indicator stalks are where they should be.

That is perhaps the IS 200t's greatest strength; it's a car with styling that stands out from the crowd, it offers some surprise-and-delight features, and it's capable, safe and comfortable. But it isn't especially ground-breaking – and for some buyers it's that essentially conservative packaging that's a quality in itself.

2015 Lexus IS 200t Sport Luxury pricing and specifications:
Price: $76,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 180kW/350Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 175g (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)

What we liked:
>> Roomier than previous generation IS
>> Easy to drive
>> Comfortable, quiet and safe

Not so much:
>> Not classically beautiful
>> Lacks the character of its rivals
>> A bit heavy?

Also consider:
>> BMW 330i (from $69,900 plus ORCs)
>> Jaguar XE 25t Portfolio (from $70,400 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz C 250 (from $68,900 plus ORCs)