IS/RC Edmunds Inside Line - Follow-Up Test: 2007 Lexus IS 250

[Merc1]

Still a Lexus

The IS 250 is a pretty hospitable place, considering its relatively modest $32,455 price tag. For this same price, BMW will give you a 328i with exactly no options and fewer standard features.

The IS 250 comes standard with 10-way power front seats upholstered in leather, a sunroof, keyless ignition and a 13-speaker, 194-watt audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer.

A bit more rear legroom would be a nice addition to this list, as there are just 85.7 cubic feet of overall passenger room when the sunroof is in place, but the front seats are suitably comfortable for average-size drivers.

But a Different Kind of Lexus

Though it's often overshadowed by the 306-hp IS 350, the IS 250 is actually Lexus' best effort at renewing some of the connection between the driver and the pavement that you expect in a sport sedan without giving up too much comfort in the process.

Although the new Lexus X Package is offered for both the IS 250 and the more powerful IS 350, it's more worthwhile when paired with the six-speed manual in the IS 250. It all adds up to a livelier Lexus, one with more personality. The IS 350's 306-hp V6 is great, but unless you can dole it out in precise increments, much of the advantage is lost.

Yet the 2007 Lexus IS 250 is a car with different priorities than an Audi or BMW, and so it's more reserved and discrete. A little more power would help push it even closer to some of its rivals, while it clearly has the handling to keep up with the best in its class. What the IS 250 really needs is a little Lexus quality applied to the sound of the engine, the action of the shift linkage and the feedback from the steering, and then it might be a stronger alternative to the European sport sedans.

Follow-Up Test: 2007 Lexus IS 250

M

 

[Mr. M]

Ooh, this is attractive.

The X Package improvements also translate to the track, as our slalom test confirms. Although it's down over 100 hp on the IS 350, the IS 250 is nearly 4 mph faster through the cones with a 70.4-mph result. This is blazing speed, and it puts the IS 250 ahead of the BMW 335i, not to mention about a half dozen very capable sports cars.

Not bad.

 

[Monster]

Ooh, this is attractive.

My friend had one for the weekend so i went over to have a look. The interior quality is good in general but there are a few things that doesn't do it for me. The buttons on the dashboard feel solid but the texture and the colour reminds me of my early 1990's Sony home audio system. The silver trim on the door handle feels and looks nasty, and the pieces of silver trim flanking the transmission tunnel is very flimsy. The traction control button is placed oddly by itself, and it is hidden behind the steering wheel, on the lower part of the dash. It took us a while to switch it off so we can attempt a burnout. Also have a look at the row of blank buttons on the left of the steering wheel, they could have done a better job and position these blank buttons somewhere hidden from view.

 

[Mr. M]

My friend had one for the weekend so i went over to have a look. The interior quality is good in general but there are a few things that doesn't do it for me. The buttons on the dashboard feel solid but the texture and the colour reminds me reminds me of my early 1990's Sony home audio system. The silver trim on the door handle feels and looks nasty, and the pieces of silver trim flanking the transmission tunnel is very flimsy. The traction control button is placed oddly by itself, and it is hidden behind the steering wheel, on the lower part of the dash. It took us a while to switch it off so we can attempt a burnout. Also have a look at the row of blank buttons on the left of the steering wheel, they could have done a better job and position these blank buttons somewhere hidden from view.

Looks like you didn't like it at all.

I've sat in it before as well... Impressed more than anything else.

 

[Monster]

Looks like you didn't like it at all.

I've sat in it before as well... Impressed more than anything else.

yeah after i read my post again, i realised don't like the interiorat all, but it is still a good car overall.