Now in its second generation, the Lexus IS luxury sport sedan tandem (the IS 250 and IS 350) have become more refined, more luxurious and have added increased sportiness and drivability. The suffix numbers relate to engine size, with the 250 driven by a 2.5-liter engine, and the 350 by a 3.5-liter powerplant.
A product of the Lexus L-finesse design program, the IS 350 is a rear-wheel-drive ride that emphasizes sporty athleticism. Displaying a family resemblance to the Lexus GS line, the IS 350 shows an energetic stance with a curved trunk lid and liquid contours.
Listed in several studies as one of the “Top 10 Re-sale Cars” on the market, the IS lives up to the Lexus credo of quality engineering with superior fit and finish and a reinforced passenger compartment that includes front- and rear-crush structures. Built with noise-suppression materials, acoustic windshield glass and sound-absorbing sun visors IS 350 provides a quiet, luxury ride one has come to expect from Lexus.
But the IS 350 is more than quiet luxury and athletic styling; it is a fun ride. Exterior dimensions are a sleek 180.1 inches long, 70.9 inches wide and 56.1 inches high on a 107.5-inch wheelbase, making for an aerodynamic vehicle that achieves good fuel consumption figures without sacrificing looks or handling.
Powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC, 24-valve aluminum-block V-8 that puts out 306hp and 277 lbs.-ft. of torque, the IS 350 4-door offers quick, quiet, smooth linear acceleration, and with weight distribution 52 percent up front, balance and brawn are readily apparent behind the wheel.
The manufacturer claims a 5.6-second zero-to-60mph time and a 14.2-second quarter-mile. Well, this luxury automotive delight is very quick off the line, but tuned as one would drive it off the lot, and without waiting for perfect atmospheric conditions or the stickiest track surface, and without turning off the stability/traction control, power breaking it to a stall speed of 4000rpm or letting some air out of the tires, my luxury test ride was able to make it to 60mph in a flick under 6-flat, en route to a 14.5 quarter. That’s certainly braggable for a lavish 3527-lb. sedan. An 8-speed 5.0-liter 400hp version (the IS-F for 2009) is said to be a 4.5-second car for a zero-to-60 tire-smoke, and if that’s true, there is a quiet, powerful, stylish luxury sports beast in the Lexus line that could make tsunami waves in the sport-sedan class.
The engine sounds like a sports car engine, though it is quiet in the cabin. Shifting is smooth and powerful, and the sedan handles as a sports car should, with tight, responsive steering in the corners, and good stickiness on most terrains, though a tight suspension is less refined than one would expect from Lexus, but one befitting a sports ride. I experienced some understeer during autocross tests, but handling was still confident and true.
The EPA fuel estimates are listed at 18mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway, but my full week of driving and testing around Central Pennsylvania and Maryland acquitted the vehicle in better fashion, with an average of 26.1 mpg over the course of about 350 interstate miles and 150 miles along country roads, farmland asphalt and township and city streets.
Safety items include a standard airbag system with advanced dual-stage front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, knee airbags for both front occupants, and side-curtain airbags. Also standard is Lexus's most advanced electronic control system, Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management, which is an arrangement that integrates braking, steering, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control systems to minimize loss of traction in a turn.
The interior offers Lexus-level luxury, room, comfort and electronics. With seating for five, interior dimensions of the roomy IS350 include headroom of 37.2 inches (with the moonroof) up front and 36.7 in row two; legroom measures 43.9 in the row one with 30.6 inches behind, while shoulder room is a comfortable 54.1 inches for driver and front passenger and 52.7 in the rear.
Standard interior items include power moonroof with dial-adjustment and one-touch operation; Lexus Premium Audi system with 13 speakers and 6-disc in-dash CD player and MPs capability; Trunk pass-through, automatic dual-zone climate control; three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel; 10-way power adjustable front seats with power lumbar; Push-button start and stop; driver information center and easy-to-read illuminated instrumentation.
My Smoky Granite Mica test vehicle was base priced at $35,905. Options that brought the price as tested to $44,828 included a Luxury package of 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, leather seat upgrade, wood interior trim, driver and passenger memory seats, power rear sunshade and rain-sensing wipers ($4325); Navigation system with rear camera and Bluetooth ($2550); Intuitive parking assist with front and rear sensors ($500); XM Satellite radio ($486); trunk mat, cargo net and wheels locks ($197) and headlamp washers ($100) and delivery charges of $765.
The Lexus IS 350 4-door sedan is a luxury vehicle one has come to expect from Lexus, but with an athletic side that provides the looks and performance necessary for a sporty driving experience.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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