IS/RC Canadian Driver - Test Drive: 2007 Lexus IS 350

[Merc1]

As is usually the case with press vehicles, this tester was loaded. Fitted with the top-tier Luxury with Navigation Package, the price escalated to $59,950.

For that, you get 225/40R18 front and 255/40R18 rear performance tires, power moonroof, power tilt and telescope steering column, memory seat system, power rear window sunshade, rain-sensing wipers, Bi-xenon projector adaptive headlights, 14-speaker Mark Levinson sound, and touch-screen navigation with backup camera.

A major annoyance for this writer were the thick and sloping A-pillars which were right in my line of sight when negotiating sharp bends. On the plus side, the tight turning circle made the sedan manoeuvrable in town.

Back seat room is fine for two adults (three in a pinch), and the nicely finished trunk is quite large, although the rear seat back doesn’t fold forward like in the BMW 3-series sedan. Despite this, I managed to squeeze three bass guitars and an overnight bag in there.

Being a bass player, and having spent the better part of my life in the company of drummers (emails of condolence welcome), I’m finding the car/drummer comparison increasingly useful.

If the Lexus IS 350 were a drummer, he’d show up early, have the coolest drum kit, never make a mistake, not even look at a drink, and the chicks would be all over him. But he’d lack that certain bad-ass “something” that makes you want to turn up to eleven and funk the house down.

You dig?

LuxuryCarCanada - 2007 Lexus IS 350

Very easily my favorite Lexus model until their LF-A sports car arrives. I especially like the interior and the snug dimensions of it all.

M

 

[cawimmer430]

I've always wondered why Lexus IS reviews never complain about the cramped interior space?

When I checked out the Lexus IS220d and IS250 at a Lexus show, I felt so cramped inside this car, partly because the wide transmission tunnel takes up so much space. Even with the seat pushed back to the max, the transmission tunnel still annoyed the hell out of me because it just "felt in the way".

When I complain about this to Lexus fan(boy)s, they tell me:

"Yeah because that's the IS220d and IS250. The IS350 is different."

 

[Mr. M]

Yeah Christian, it really is very squeezy. That's the price to pay for sportiness, Lexus says.

 

[Bruce]

I've always wondered why Lexus IS reviews never complain about the cramped interior space?

When I checked out the Lexus IS220d and IS250 at a Lexus show, I felt so cramped inside this car, partly because the wide transmission tunnel takes up so much space. Even with the seat pushed back to the max, the transmission tunnel still annoyed the hell out of me because it just "felt in the way".

When I complain about this to Lexus fan(boy)s, they tell me:

"Yeah because that's the IS220d and IS250. The IS350 is different."

You know what pisses me of about that picture? It shows the inadequacies of the interior build. The first generation Lexus' were flawless in such, but admittely Lexus has layed back..

 

[Mr. M]

You know what pisses me of about that picture? It shows the inadequacies of the interior build. The first generation Lexus' were flawless in such, but admittely Lexus has layed back..

Really? I think it's just the picture. How good can it get?

 

[chonkoa]

Yeah Christian, it really is very squeezy. That's the price to pay for sportiness, Lexus says.

That is why I think Lexus doesn't need 2 seater coupe because the IS220d/IS250/IS350 IMHO are 4 door 2 seater coupe.
The rear seats annoy the living day light out of me.

 

[Mr. M]

That is why I think Lexus doesn't need 2 seater coupe because the IS220d/IS250/IS350 IMHO are 4 door 2 seater coupe.
The rear seats annoy the living day light out of me.

Actually, I do think a coupé would give ample space for 2 persons, making it less of a headache than the IS sedan is.

 

[Bruce]

Really? I think it's just the picture. How good can it get?

Well you know, as someone with much experience with Lexus automobiles - such things are instantly recognizable to myself. I'm not saying the IS interior is bad (far from it actually), but am little dissapointed at some of the materials, gapping and jointing (these thoughts also go beyond pictures)

 

[wltsm]

I really like the IS, I wanted to like it more because it looks so good, but the fact that it's cramped and we don't get the 350 engine means I can't love it!

BTW, does anyone know when, or if Lexus will do a touring version of the IS?

 

[chonkoa]

BTW, does anyone know when, or if Lexus will do a touring version of the IS?

Touring version of IS? Wishful thinking if I may say.

 

[wltsm]

Touring version of IS? Wishful thinking if I may say.

Well, they made one for the last generation IS, although if I remember correctly, it had less boat space than the sedan, meaning it was for looks only!

 

[cawimmer430]

You know what pisses me of about that picture? It shows the inadequacies of the interior build. The first generation Lexus' were flawless in such, but admittely Lexus has layed back..

I am no fan of the IS interior, I think it's overrated. The best current Lexus interior IMHO is not the LS, but the GS (and perhaps the ES from what I can make out in pictures). The GS interior is very clean and the build quality looks really good.