Lexus is250

                                    Lexus is250

                                       Lexus is250

The IS 250 AWD — Lexus’s least expensive entry in the sporty/luxe market —is not an easy car to define. The most common description of the entire IS line — which also includes the base IS 250, the more powerful IS 350 and the high-performance IS-F (all rear-drive) — is some variation of “it’s a worthy competitor to BMW’s 3 Series.” This would make the $42,500 328i xDrive sedan the $38,500 IS 250 AWD’s natural rival.

                                           Lexus is250 

That’s not to denigrate the IS 250. There is much that’s appealing, starting with a pleasingly aerodynamic and sporty body style that sees a new grille and integrated turn signal lamps for the 2009 model year. And there are sporting aspirations from the car’s six-speed manumatic transmission,complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. In automatic, shifts are so smooth as to be barely perceptible. And, when playing boy racer, each nudge of the paddle or centre console-mounted gear lever brings an immediate upshift or downshift and not some “hold on a second while I figure out whatyou really want” hesitation.

                                           Lexus is250 

But it’s the engine that gives the IS 250 AWD the taste of plain vanilla rather than mocha chocolate supreme. In a nutshell, there’s not enough displacement or power. The 2.5-litre, DOHC V6 is plenty smooth, but 204 horsepower is about 50 ponies shy of a good start toward being taken seriously as a sport sedan. As it is, it’s still down 26 hp to the aforementioned BMW 328i rival. Plus, BMW holds in reserve the very quick,
300-hp 335i xDrive. If you want the benefits of all-wheel drive in a Lexus sedan along with more jones, you’re going to need to move up to the larger and pricier GS 350 AWD and its 303-hp 3.5L V6

                                              Lexus is250 

Of equal disappointment is that the engine runs on premium unleaded and delivered a thirsty average fuel economy of 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres in a mix of suburban and highway usage. At 1,656 kilograms, the car is not stupidly heavy, and I wasn’t all that abusive of the gas pedal.

                                            Lexus is250 

So the IS 250 AWD is more of a boulevardier. As such, it won over my wife, the smooth and serene yin to my fast and firm yang. Her compliments from the shotgun seat ranged from the Lexus’s sporting looks to the comfortable and heated seats to the tasteful interior and complementary colour scheme of the various trim bits. A car to aspire to was her final summation. While in total agreement — after 30 years together I have learned when to nod my head— I also noticed that the IS 250’s steering and handling provided more than suitable feedback. It’s worth noting that all of the IS line comes fitted with standard Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management as well as stability and traction control systems.

                                               Lexus is250 

My appreciation of the IS 250’s whisper-quiet cabin — a Lexus hallmark — is tempered by only one thing, but it’s a biggie — the lack of rear-seat legroom. At 6-foot-2, I’m used to the compromises that come with testing compact cars. But the tight squeeze of trying out the BMW 335i’s rear quarters was nothing compared with the IS 250’s. I simply had no place to put any part of my legs. As a four-seater, the baby Lexus makes a better2+2.

                                          Lexus is250

                                           Lexus is250

                                           Lexus is250