The Lexus IS is an underdog, belonging to a class dominated by German rivals to the point that it can easily be overlooked. Deservedly so? Not at all. The IS is well equipped, efficient and impeccably reliable, so it’s very much worth a look on the used market.
The latest (Mk3) IS arrived on the executive saloon scene in 2013 with a sharp design and an eco-friendly focus. Hence no diesel: just one petrol and one hybrid. The petrol, badged the 250, features a 204bhp 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that drives the rear wheels via an automatic transmission. Officially, it delivers a combined 32mpg.
However, this variant isn’t widely available on used car sites. Much more common is the hybrid, badged the 300h. It gets that same 2.5-litre engine with less power (181bhp, to be exact) but a better 48.7mpg, thanks to the presence of an electric motor. For the 2016 model year, Lexus replaced the 250 with the 200t. This has a 245bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and, like the 250, is rare on the second-hand market.
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Opt for an entry-level SE model and you will get keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and a joystick-governed infotainment system (with a 7.0in screen or, post- facelift, a 10.3in one) with DAB radio. Upgrade to the Executive Edition for satellite navigation and leather seats, while Sport models add bigger alloy wheels, parking sensors and automatic wipers.
Mid-range Luxury models get a more premium look, complete with posh silver wheels, while Advance trim brings electrically adjustable, heated and cooled front seats plus a reversing camera. F-Sport gains an aggressive bodykit and styling inspired by the LFA supercar, while range- topping Premier models come with a Mark Levinson stereo and Lexus’s premium sat-nav system, including a DVD player.
The well-equipped Executive Edition is our favourite trim. It offers heated front seats, dual- zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam. It is worth noting that later cars came in only standard IS and F-Sport trims.
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I was lent a Hybrid version of one of these, and wasnt expecting much, based upon the motoring worlds distain for CVTs and general poor opinion on what Lexus produce. But it was a really nice car. Very refined, near 50 mpg economy, wonderful seats, and very well judged suspension for our poor UK roads. There may be faster small saloons, but i doubt there are more reliable ones.
Sadly Lexus UK have decided we dont get the refreshed model (or worse still the 500F sport).
GUYS, what the hell!!! The IS 250 has a 2,5-litre V6, it's completely different engine than in the IS 300h... Same thing goes with GS 250 and 300h. Then we have IS 200t, later renamed to IS 300 (turbocharged 2.0, 4-cylinder).
In the US there are also IS 300 AWD (which has 3,5-litre V6) and IS 350/IS 350 AWD (almost the same V6, but more powerful).
I was just going to post the same point but you beat me to it! This is a really basic mistake and there is no excuse for it let alone from a respected and established motoring magazine.
On the IS300, the other thing to watch for is whether it's got split folding rear seats. I think the base models did without and it may be important to some buyers. Always wished they'd done an estate version.