Lexus IS 350 2017 Review
Does the Lexus IS 350 F Sport have the goods to make inroads on its Euro competitors?What’s it all about?
Flaunting an outrageous grille design that sets the stage for head-challenging styling themes that continue right through to the drooping-slit tail lights, the Lexus IS hardly shows any serious signs of age.
Yet the BMW 3 Series, Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and XE Jaguar challenger is already into its fourth year on the market. Having just been the subject of a mild facelift addressing some of the minor niggles that have bothered the car since its launch in 2014.
The mid-size Lexus IS is now arguably better-equipped to deal with its Euro competitors. To get more traction in the segment, it certainly needs to be.
How much will it cost?
The IS 350 is squeezed for space in the burgeoning mid-sized luxury class. But, at least in $73,540 (plus on-road costs) F Sport form, it’s been showered generously with standard equipment.
There’s not much missing from its safety pack, which includes high-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and no less than 10 airbags.
There’s not much left to tick inside the cabin either: heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjust steering column and a seriously amplified 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
Lexus looks after its customers pretty well with a 48-month/100,000km warranty, a 12-month/15,000km servicing and roadside assist for the full warranty period.
Why should I buy it?
The 3.5-litre normally-aspirated V6 almost looks out of place in a segment where torquey and frugal turbocharged petrol four-cylinders rule. But it’s not short of bragging rights thanks to a lofty 233kW and a most impressive 378Nm that challenges the best of the best with its output per litre.
For all this, the Toyota-family V6 somehow lacks the zap and crackle you’d hope for. It’s not so much a sporty powerplant as a quiet, smooth and relatively unobtrusive means of hefting along the IS 350’s weighty 1685kg body. Even though it boasts a Kw/kg figure suggesting accelerative superiority over its four-cylinder Euro counterparts, the zero to 100km/h time of 5.9sec is simply in the (admittedly quick) ballpark.
And there is penalty in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions: The official claimed figure is 9.7L/100km which, even if we matched that on test, is still way short of BMW, Benz and Audi 2.0-litre competitors and the 225g/km emissions figure is nothing to boast about.
That said, the V6 is complemented by a very nicely resolved ride-handling compromise where quick, well-weighted steering, good bump-absorbing compliance and strong grip from the staggered 225/40, 255/35 tyres on 18-inch alloy wheels help provide on-road dynamics that go beyond mere on-road competence.
When is it available in Australia?
The updated IS was introduced across Australia in November 2016. The extensive range stretches from the entry-level IS 200t Luxury ($59,340), to the premium Sports Luxury form which is the most expensive in the IS range at a pre on-roads price of $84,160.
Who will it appeal to?
Lexus targets the mid-size luxury segment with an each-way bet on luring BMW and Benz customers. It brings some of the sporty flavour of a BMW and some of the luxe of a Benz, underscored by high levels of safety and quality, plus a warranty that exceeds the Germans by 12 months.
Dynamically the IS 350 is a good match for its Euro counterparts and so too, despite a few Toyota influences showing through, is the build quality.
A niggle that has been addressed but not fixed is the still un-intuitive mouse-style controller on the centre console which remains an over-sensitive put-off.
The 480-litre boot is on par with its segment competitors, but the Lexus is let down by a cramped back seat and some restrictions on rearward vision.
Where does it fit?
Although current sales don’t show it, the IS Lexus remains a viable competitor in its segment. Its VFACTS totals might be behind BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class but it still holds some grip on sales so far this year, as it’s placed ahead of Jaguar’s critically-acclaimed XE and leaves Volvo’s S60 sedan range struggling in its wake.
So, what do we think?
Despite its unquestioned competence on the road, its refinement and its safety credentials, the Lexus IS 350 doesn’t quite strike a loud enough note in the mid-size luxury segment to drag a lot of attention away from its German competitors.
Its $6000 less-expensive but well-credentialed IS 200t F Sport sibling might not have the smooth V6 charm, or quite the punch, but it’s a closer match to its market rivals.
Price: $73,540 (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
Related reading:
>>Lexus IS 350 F-SPORT Review
>>
- Smoothly powerful V6
- Commendable ride-handling compromise
- Equipment levels
- Tight back seat
- Still-clumsy mouse-style controller
- F Sport not that sporty or rorty
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