MSRP: $31,305 - $36,755
Invoice: $28,174 - $33,078
MPG: 18 City / 26 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:8.5
Performance:8.1
Exterior:8.2
Interior:7.4
Safety:8.8
Reliability:9.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  •  Responsive handling on both models
  • Top-class interior, with high-quality materials and excellent ergonomics
  • IS 250 is "bargain priced" for a Lexus and for the entry luxury segment
  • IS 350's straight-line acceleration impresses critics
  •  Small dimensions in driver's seat -- this is not a car for tall people
  • Cramped rear seat, uncomfortable for most adults
  • Some feel the IS 250 shows sluggish acceleration compared to the 350

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Lexus IS - What the Auto Press Says

While most luxury automakers produce one midsize car, Lexus makes two. The ES is its sedate, comfortable cruiser. The IS, however,  is the athlete, and the sexy convertible. Clearly the performance-oriented Lexus midsize sedan, it's meant to do battle with canyon carvers like the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.  It falls short of that standard in terms of performance, but sharp looks and a Lexus interior make it worth a look.

For 2009, the IS has been updated with new interior and exterior styling, a few performance tweaks, and a hardtop convertible edition.   But the press still considers the car an upstart -- it may try to run with the best in this class, but it falls just a little short on the track and on the commute. 

It's also a tight fit for many.  The exterior dimensions make this a midsize car, but inside, 6-footers will find headroom and legroom tight at every seating position.

The New York Times explains, "The Lexus is like the perennial A student who has yet to declare a major. The car shows perfection in individual disciplines. Its creators have done their homework assignments well. But the better-rounded BMW remains the class valedictorian."  Drivers interested in a serious performance car would do well to look at the 3-Series, or the Infiniti G37, which many reviewers now say is actually a tighter handler.

Convertble shoppers can compare the same two cars.  The IS Convertible, most will find, is not as performance-oriented as the 3-Series convertible or the G37 drop-top.  But it has a larger trunk than either, an important consideration since many hardtop convertibles have virtually no usable trunk space once the top is down.

Lexus dealers treat the IS as two separate cars -- an entry-level IS 250 for commuters who want something a little energetic, and a more athletic IS 350 that is a flat-out hot rod. But the two share the same body, chassis, interior, and many parts of their drivetrains. They are essentially trim levels of the same car. A high-performance F-type is available, which we review separately.

The IS convertible uses a three-piece aluminum roof that, Lexus claims, automatically retracts in just 20 seconds.  The convertible shares few body panels with the sedan version of the car.  Addressing a complaint common to hardtops, Lexus has expanded the convertible's trunk so that it retains sedan-like cargo space even with the top down. 

For 2009, the IS sedan has been slightly re-shaped, front and rear. The suspension of both models has been re-tuned, adding firmness to improve the car's sport sedan credentials.  The already sumptuous interior has seen minor tweaks, and stability control is now standard on all trim levels. 

The IS 250 iss available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, while the IS 350 comes only in a rear-wheel drive layout. 

  • "These premium compacts impress for their design, features, and materials. They also benefit from Lexus' strong resale-value record. However, they're not quite alluring enough alternatives to the Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series -- especially in rear-passenger room and comfort." -- Consumer Guide"
  • "While Lexus contends that the IS C [Convertible] represents its wilder side, we'd qualify that with: "It depends on what you consider wild." -- Autoblog
  • "As expected, the IS convertible features Lexus fit and finish and, somewhat less appealingly, Lexus dynamics." -- Car and Driver
  • "On the whole, it seems that Lexus was aiming for a slightly less sporty demographic with this car, namely buyers who want the aesthetics and track numbers of a sport sedan along with the compliant ride and coddling interior of a luxury sedan. If that sounds appealing to you, then the IS 350 hits the bull's-eye." -- Edmunds
  • After testing the 250 and 350 models in 2007, About.com's reviewer notes, "They still appeal to people who buy BMWs -- but more to the people who buy them for their style than for their road manners." -- About.com
  • "The IS could easily pass the entry-lux manhood test, it just chooses not to take it." -- U.S. News
  • "Virtually everything about the car, aside from its looks, says 'sports car,' king of the Japanese sports-sedan hill, surpassed our expectations in performance and touring, and have earned the right to shed the 'near luxury' moniker." -- Road and Track

IS Performance - 8.1 (Very Good)

Lexus sells the 2009 ES as its comfortable midsize cruiser, and this car as its performance-oriented midsize car.  Most reviewers say, however, that the IS falls a little short of the athletic standards of the BMW 3-Series or Infiniti G.  As a performance car, the IS line has a split personality. Reviewers call the 2009 IS 250 a fun handling car that's underpowered. There are no complaints about the power available with the 350, however.  Convertible editions handle well with the top up, but lose some of their composure when it is lowered. Read More

IS Exterior - 8.2 (Very Good)

The IS has a refined look for 2009, with a narrower grille, new side mirrors and more sharply raked headlights. Reviewers liked the look of the car before the changes, and still like it afterward -- but in a competitive class of beautiful cars, few find it the sexiest car available.  The convertible edition, which shares not a single body panel with the sedan, is generally considered beautiful -- but some find its dimensions odd from the rear. Read More

IS Interior - 7.4 (Good)

Lexus is known for fine interiors, and even when designing a sport sedan, the luxury division of Toyota doesn't disappoint. U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman says the cabin is "classy" and "sleek," with an overall feel that is "more reminiscent of an easy chair than an airplane cockpit." Many, however, say the car has small interior dimensions for something classified as midsize.  Taller drivers will need to look elsewhere. Read More

IS Safety - 8.8 (Very Good)

The 2009 Lexus IS earns respectable safety scores in government crash tests, but trails what the best in this class can do.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the IS high marks.  A pre-collision system is available to improve the car's crash performance. Read More

IS Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)

The 2009 Lexus IS reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Lexus provides a basic warranty for the first four years or 50,000 miles of IS ownership. Read More

Review Last Updated: 7/14/09