Ask most car buyers to name a brand associated with upscale sporty sedans and Lexus is unlikely to be first on their list, or even land in the top five. There is a good reason for that: The brand has been built on other virtues.
With the exception of the ultra-rare, ultra-expensive, hand-built LF-A supercar, the Lexus tends to stick more to the realm of quiet and cushy sedans with bulletproof reliability.
Lexus has dabbled in the funhouse on and off over the years, with varying degrees of success. Previous enthusiast-targeted efforts haven’t been notable enough to make them a player in the category, but things have begun to change. The recently done over GS has some fairly decent sporting cred, and the freshly redesigned IS looks like it may keep the momentum going in a small package. (Read our Lexus GS road test.)
Where the previous IS was quick enough and firmly sprung, it was not really a sporty or engaging ride. More of a schizoid combo of luxury car and sports sedan, the IS didn’t really succeed at either role. The steering was lifeless, the ride jittery, and the interior was snug with a cramped rear seat.
The new IS addresses those concerns, while providing the quiet and well-finished cabin buyers expect from the brand. The rear seat can now accommodate adults, and while some controls are quirkier than we’d like, the snug cabin isn’t a bad place to be.
So far, the IS demonstrates good steering response and taut body control, while still delivering a comfortable ride.
Two V6 engines are offered; we opted for an IS 250 with the 204-hp, 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. This carried-over powertrain is silky smooth and refined, but it doesn’t pack a whole lot of punch for the class, especially when equipped with optional all-wheel drive. Nonetheless, this is the engine Lexus says 80 percent of buyers will go for. A 306-hp, 3.5-liter V6 is also available with plenty of power on hand for effortless passing and merging and that one gets the slick eight-speed automatic.
It remains to be seen whether the IS can truly go head to head with the BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, or Mercedes C-Class. Time will tell as we start putting the IS through its paces. Check back soon for the results.
—Jim Travers
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