Lexus IS 2017 Review

Lexus IS 200t, 300h and 350
Australian launch
Melbourne, Victoria

Squint and you’ll miss it: The updated Lexus IS mightn’t look significantly different, but worthwhile changes to the much maligned infotainment interface, an extended range of exterior and interior colour schemes and improved feel behind the wheel should boost the three-year-old model’s appeal. There’s also a little more electronic safety equipment, and retuned electric power steering. Powertrains, however, remain unchanged. The 2017 Lexus IS range is priced from $58,650 plus on-road costs.

When it was introduced in 2013, the third-generation Lexus IS again challenged the German dominance of the volume-selling mid-size luxury car market.

Penned by Masanari Sakae, the daringly-styled MkIII IS showcased Lexus’ spindle grille, flowing profile lines and striking tail-lights to full effect, introducing a new style direction for the Japanese luxury brand and confronting conservative buyers in this segment.

It was a gamble that didn’t necessarily pay off. Despite competitive pricing and more generous after-sales provisions, carry-over drivetrains, tight rear-seat accommodation and a complicated infotainment interface saw sales of the IS continue to pale against those of its German rivals.

Year-to-date, Lexus has sold just 1408 examples of the model against 2369 Audi A4, 3595 BMW 3 Series and 5486 Mercedes-Benz C-Class registrations, edging just ahead of the British-built Jaguar XE (1333).

For 2017, the IS range receives a midlife facelift, but without parking the two alongside one another, we reckon you’d be hard pressed to tell.

The nine-model, three-engine, three-grade line-up is now slightly dearer, priced between $59,340 and $84,160 plus on-road costs -- see the Lexus IS pricing story for full details.

New are the headlights and front air intakes, spindle grille and L-shaped LED daytime running lights, while F Sport variants add functional front brake ducts and dark-chrome grille.

The bonnet is slightly re-profiled, so too the profile’s character line, and there are two new paint colours, new-look alloy wheels and, at the back, triple-layer LED tail-lights and rectangular exhaust outlets.

Inside the evolutionary exterior design the improvements continue. The size of the infotainment screen grows from 7.0 to 10.25 inches, the Remote Touch Interface (RTI) single-point controller scores an additional ‘Enter’ button, and the audio and HVAC control panels are redefined to better fill the space.

There are new surface finishes, sportier stitching, new cup-holders, a larger RTI palm rest, and new speedo, tacho and analogue clock dial faces.

More importantly, the IS adds upgraded safety equipment with the adoption of Lexus Safety System +, which adds camera-based technology to Lexus’ existing radar-based safety systems. This extends the functionality of its Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system with a pedestrian-detection function, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beam (AHB) and All-speed Adaptive Cruise Control.

The Lexus IS receives a five-star ANCAP safety rating (based on 2014 testing).

There’s still no change to the Lexus IS drivetrain options (see specifications below for details), though we do note revisions to the suspension and steering.

Now constructed of aluminium (previously steel), the lower arms of the front double wishbone set-up are 49 per cent more rigid, and there's also firmer bushings, a new coil spring rate and revised shock absorber settings also new. The rear multi-link suspension also gets a tweak, with the upper arm, stabiliser, bushings and shock absorber settings again all-new.

The ECU settings of the Electric Power Steering system are retuned to match and Lexus says the combination increases steering response at highway speeds while also improving ride quality, body control, rear-wheel traction and straight-line stability. V6-powered and F Sport models also receive a speed-variable steering ratio.

Lexus offers its IS range in conjunction with a four-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance program. Service intervals are set at 12 months/15,000km (whichever comes first) with a three-year/60,000km complimentary servicing scheme offered to corporate clients.

Just as you’d need to park the updated IS alongside its forebear to spot the difference in styling, we reckon you’d also need to drive the two back-to-back to feel any change behind the wheel.

That’s not a bad thing, mind. The IS has always been a predictable and comfortable car to pilot, the controls offering admirable communication levels and the drivelines showing typical Lexus polish.

However, the engines -- smooth though they may be – feel like they lag behind their competitors on the delivery front. The comparably specified IS 200t (180kW/350Nm), for example, seems to lack the punch of Audi’s A4 2.0 TFSI (185kW/370Nm) or BMW’s 330i (185kW/350Nm).

Where Lexus moves ahead of the game is in its suspension tune. Many of the IS’ rivals are firm and rather unforgiving. By comparison the IS is softer, with only the largest of road craters sending a shock through the cabin – even in sportier riding F Sport variants.

Sadly though, we reckon rear-seat passengers score a rough deal. The IS’ back seat is tighter than most in this class, the rear centre passenger seat impacted heavily by the driveshaft ‘hump’ in the floor.

It’s also a little (tyre) noisy back there, but the seats themselves draw no complaint -- especially up front, where the driving position is suitably adjustable (via its electronic seat and steering column functions).

Our only real criticism stems from slightly compromised rearward visibility, although the IS continues to offer a competitive 480 litres of boot space.

The Lexus IS has a lot to give. In some ways it might lack the sporting edge of its rivals, but on the other hand it makes up for that with comfort, refinement and luxury, even if the interior and exterior design's aren't to everyone's taste.

Yes, the infotainment interface is touchy and often difficult to use on the go, and yes, the rear seat lacks the space of its rivals. But with a comfortable ride, Lexus’ quality fit and finish and a pricing and after-sales schedule that challenges the best of its rivals head-on, we reckon it’s a car that still holds a lot of appeal.

2017 Lexus IS 200t pricing and specifications:
Price: from $59,340 (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), 10.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 175g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Lexus IS 300h pricing and specifications:
Price: from $61,890 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, electric motor
Output: 133kW/221Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 4.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 113g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Lexus IS 350 pricing and specifications:
Price: from $65,390 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 233kW/378Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 225g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Audi A4 (from $55,500 plus ORCs)
>> Jaguar XE (from $60,400 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz C-Class (from $61,400 plus ORCs)