2008 Lexus IS Exterior Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 54 IS reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
Redesigned during the 2006 model year, the 2008 Lexus IS' styling moved away from its subdued appearance and into one that critics say is simultaneously edgy and graceful. With a wider stance, sharper edges and more authority, the new design language exudes both sport and luxury.
While BMW, Acura and Infiniti have aimed for a sportier image, Lexus designers have for years attempted to build a more luxurious, almost stately, image. Auto writers find the IS 250 and IS 350 decidedly more sporty-looking than the traditional Lexus.
Kelley Blue Book claims that "you won't see clones of your car on every street corner." Edmunds declares that the exterior styling on the Lexus IS is sporty, with "bulging muscles and a purposeful stance." U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman calls the Lexus IS design, "stately," because of its "long, sloping lines from back to front and a swollen hood that makes a pronounced entrance."
Forbes notes the 250 and 350's swooping roofline arc flow back over the trunk nicely, "creating a short rear deck-lid and a sharply tapered tail." AutoMedia.com calls the exterior "a pro athlete in an impeccably tailored suit," displaying a "confident and upscale" demeanor. The IS commands attention, with its "purposeful stance" and "fierce" says New Car Test Drive, adding "It's unmistakably Lexus but visually fresh."
