Lexus IS 2015 Review

Lexus' IS has always been the unsung hero of Australia's mid-size sedan segment, one of the nation's biggest and fastest growing sales segments, offering a well sorted ride/handling package, outstanding value for money and resale value, and unrivalled after-sales service and incentives.

Now, a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine at base level, matching the configuration of its chief German rivals, should put the Japanese mid-sizer on more shopping lists, even if it comes at a price.

The entry-level IS 200t is $3500 more expensive than before at $57,500 plus on-road costs, but it still undercuts the cheapest C-Class and XE -- but not the outgoing A4 or BMW's new entry-level 316i turbo triple.

At the same time, it brings even more standard equipment, including 10 airbags, Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS), Active Cruise Control, front/rear parking sensors, bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights. rain-sensing wipers and a power-adjustable steering column.

They're features most rivals don't match, but this is in addition to range-wide standard features including keyless entry/start, 7.0-inch colour display, satellite-navigation, reversing camera, digital radio, Bluetooth, Lexus Remote Touch controller, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate-control, 60/40-split rear seat and a 480-litre boot. The IS 200t runs on 17-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof costs $2500 extra.

But the new IS 200t trump card is a 180kW/350Nm engine the matches the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol fours the much more expensive C 250, A4 2.0 TFSI, 328i and XE 25t for torque, and betters all but the BMW for power.

Gone is the lethargic old IS 250 base model's 153kW/252Nm 2.5-litre V6 and in its place 18 per cent or 27kW more power and 39 per cent or 98Nm more torque.

In fact, the 8AR-FTS engine produces 5kW more power than it does in the NX 200t, offering 180kW at 5800rpm and the same 350Nm of torque over 1650-4400rpm in its first longitudinal rear-drive application.

Matched with a newer eight-speed automatic transmission to replace the old IS 250's six-speed, the IS 200t is 14 per cent quicker with a claimed 0-100km/h time of seven seconds (down from 8.1) and has a top speed of 230km/h.

As in the NX, the 2.0-litre turbo-four features the world-first combination of a twin-scroll turbo and water-cooled cylinder-head with integrated four-into-one exhaust, plus VVT-iW valve timing and D-4S injection.

The square-cylinder (86mm bore x 86mm stroke) four-pot weighs 160kg, runs on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol and has a 10.0:1 compression ratio, and its turbo spins to 180,000rpm.

It's accompanied by new engine mounts, a revised exhaust and, in 200t and 350 V6 models, a Yamaha-developed front chassis 'performance damper' that's claimed to increase suspension rigidity, improving ride and handling.

The result is crisp, smooth power delivery from low engine speeds, a generous wad of thrust in the mid-range and non-stop power delivery all the way to its 6000rpm redline.

The strong performance isn't accompanied by any disconcerting exhaust noise like some of turbo-petrol fours (it even sounds good under wide throttle openings) and the 200t engine is a neat fit with the IS's serene, high-quality cabin that's well insulated from wind, road and engine noise.

Given a work over with the standard steering wheel paddles, the turbo engine is responsive and satisfying, offering enough performance to put the accomplished rear-drive chassis to good use and delivering lightning-quick gearshifts both up and down (Lexus says they take 0.2 seconds in Sport mode).

Left to its own devices, however, the eight-speed auto gets a little busy. It hunts between ratios too readily under light throttle openings -- as if it's never sure what gear to be in – despite the Toyota premium division's claims of lateral g, pitch and gradient sensors being able to detect corners and hold the right gear for them.

Part of the problem here, we suspect, is the transmission's eagerness to find a tall gear in search of fuel consumption.

In Eco and Normal modes, the gearbox will shift straight to eighth at speeds of just 60km/h and above, labouring the engine along at idle and then being slow to downshift as it hunts through two or three ratios in search of decent acceleration.

It's a common problem with many multi-ratio automatic transmissions, yet the IS 200t's fuel consumption -- at 7.5L/100km -- is only average in its class, matching the Jaguar XE's but falling short of the 320i (6.3) and C 200 (6.0).

Nevertheless, aided by a lightning-quick idle-stop system, the IS 200t is 18 per cent more efficient than the IS 250 it replaces. And if fuel consumption is your primary concern, go for the $2500-dearer IS 300h hybrid

The auto holds lower gears and is therefore more responsive in Sport mode, but only the F Sport version, which costs an extra $8000, adds a trick configurable TFT digital dash layout with sporty speedo and tacho layout.

All models retain the awful foot-operated parking brake, but the F Sport also adds a more aggressive body kit, adaptive variable suspension, 18-inch alloy, high-friction front brake pads, sports pedals, front sports seats and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Premium Mark Levinson sound and a sunroof costs $4000, with automatic high beam and lane departure warning adding a further $2000, but the IS 200t F Sport misses our on the F Sport steering wheel, F Sport seats with driver's memory and variable-ratio steering that's standard in the IS 350 V6 F Sport.

But while the V6 costs $6000 more than the turbo-four and delivers 53kW more power, the carryover six-cylinder engine offers only 28Nm more torque.

Sports Luxury variants cost a cool $11,000 more than the base IS 200t, but add all those features as standard, plus 835-Watt 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio, wood grain trim and a powered rear sunshade.

Three new paint colours – Sonic Quartz, Caliente and Cobalt Mica (IS 200t F Sport only) – join the existing Mercury Grey, Premium Silver, Titanium, Onyx, Starlight Black, White Nova and Vermillion hues, and five interior colour options include black, Moonstone, ivory, Topaz Brown and Dark Rose (F Sport only).

Bettering all of its rivals, the IS – like all Lexus models -- comes with a 48-month/100,000km warranty with roadside assistance.

Throw in its unbeatable value equation and new-found performance at base level and -- minor transmission and foot brake niggles aside -- we've no reason to doubt Lexus' expectations the new 200t will account for almost half of an increased number of overall IS sales.

What we liked:
>> Engine performance and refinement
>> Ride comfort and build quality
>> Value, equipment and aftersales

Not so much:
>> Not as efficient as Germans
>> Busy eight-speed auto
>> Foot park brake

Also consider:
>> BMW 320i ($61,500 plus ORCs)
>> Jaguar XE 20t Prestige ($60,400 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz C 200 ($60,900 plus ORCs)