Pros: Athletic handling; numerous options and option packages; Cabin trim astutely blends luxury and sport
Cons: Limited interior room; V6 fuel economy not outstanding
CG Says: The 2017 Lexus IS gains standard Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning/mitigation. Styling is revised and LED headlights are now standard. IS is a premium compact sedan. The base 200t is powered by a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and has rear-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive IS 300 has a 255-hp 3.5-liter V6. The IS 350 offers both rear- and all-wheel drive and is powered by a 306-hp 3.5-liter V6. Rear-wheel-drive cars have an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive models have a six-speed automatic. Available safety features include autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot alert, and cross-traffic alert. Other available features include park assist, heated steering wheel, heated/ventilated front seats, power rear sunshade, and power tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The IS’s nimble handling is a highlight, but its aging V6 mean it doesn’t trounce any of its competitors in terms of performance. If you’re in the market for an athletic compact sedan with a convincingly luxurious feel, check out the IS that suits you best, but be sure to scope the Cadillac ATS, BMW 3-Series Sedan, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class as well.
| Class | Premium Compact Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Lexus |
| Nation of Manufacture | Japan |
| Base Prices | IS 200t: $37,825 IS 200t F Sport: $41,370 AWD IS 300: $40,200 AWD IS 300 F Sport: $43,345 IS 350: $41,370 IS 350 F Sport: $44,525 AWD IS 350: $43,535 AWD IS 350 F Sport: $46,250 |
| Base Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (IS 200t) |
| Horsepower 241 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 22 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 32 |
| Optional Engine 3.5-liter V6 (IS 300, IS 350) |
| Horsepower 255 (306 in IS 350) |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission (AWD model) 6-speed automatic |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 19 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 26-28 |
