Pros: Outstanding acceleration; superb, athletic handling; glorious, gutsy sound of V8 engine; unique high-end interior trim
Cons: Stiff ride; not all testers like performance of 8-speed automatic transmission; some testers find heavily bolstered front sport seats uncomfortable; cramped rear-seat space
CG Says: Though the IS 250 and IS 350 sedans are redesigned for 2014, the high-performance IS F model carries over on the previous-generation design with with minor appearance changes such as LED foglights and a carbon-fiber spoiler. The Lexus IS F blends luxury and high performance into an incredibly refined package, though its appeal is limited to serious enthusiasts who value ferocious acceleration and agile handling over fuel economy and ride comfort. If you’re shopping the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG but want something a bit off the beaten path, be sure to add this high-power Lexus to your shopping list.