Lexus IS 250

The smallest Lexus now goes from straight-six power to V6 to complement its new dress code

What's New
Clearly aimed at the all-conquering BMW 3 Series, the second-generation IS aims to follow up on the good work Lexus has done one class up with the GS. It gets off to a great start by having crisp, beautifully detailed lines that look right no matter which angle you approach the car from.

Its overtly sporty stance is a result of a long wheelbase, short overhangs and bodywork that appears to have been stretched so tightly over the car's frame that it could tear at any moment. The upright, square-shouldered rear end is particularly distinctive.

The cabin is similarly well-rendered with every surface, switch and control just oozing quality. The front seats are like plush armchairs and small details like the texture of the headlining and uniformity of the leather stitching add up to make sitting in the car a very special experience.
The low roofline means taller people need to be careful not to re-style their hairdos when getting in and out, and an extremely high transmission tunnel dissects the rear floor, effectively turning the car into a four-seater. Still, actual legroom isn't too bad and the seats themselves prove comfortable over long distances.

While the $136,888 Standard model is hardly poorly-equipped, it's well worth forking out the extra $14,000 for the Luxury version. The premium buys you niceties like xenon headlamps, factory-fitted front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels and a Mark Levinson audio system.

Both cars do, however, come with eight airbags (including knee airbags for both the driver and front passenger), stability control, ventilated seats and a keyless entry system as standard.

How it Performs
Under the IS 250's bonnet lies a new direct-injection 2.5-litre V6 with 205bhp on tap. This power output is slightly down on the BMW 325i's 218bhp, but a useful 28bhp more than what the new 323i (which uses a detuned version of the 325i's 2.5-litre engine) can muster.

While the car doesn't initially feel all that quick off the line, the engine has plenty of mid-range pull so acceleration is effortless once on the move. Couple this with a remarkable lack of wind noise at all times, and you often find yourself going much faster than you think you are.

The six-speed automatic transmission is similarly refined. It shifts silkily and you can even select a mode within the trip computer that shows exactly which gear the car is in. Too bad the shift paddles behind the steering wheel only work when the gear lever is tipped over into the 'S' plane, though.

The IS is terrifically balanced in corners and there's very little body roll, thanks to the firm suspension set-up.
Overall, the car isn't nearly as communicative as a 3 Series when it's being driven hard, but so well-resolved is it in all other respects.

How it Stacks Up
The IS250 is unabashedly Japanese in its style and the way it treats its occupants, and this is what makes it so pleasant to live with on a day-to-day basis.

The 3 Series may remain the most focused driver's car in this class but this doesn't take anything away from what Lexus has achieved with the IS. It's supremely accomplished in so many ways, and the fact that it offers so much at such a realistic price can only be good news for buyers.

Technical Specifications

MODEL Lexus IS 250 Luxury ENGINE Engine: 2,500cc 24V V6 Max Power: 227bhp at 6,400rpm Max Torque: 252Nm at 4,800rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic TOP SPEED 205 kmh 0-100km/h 8.4s