Lexus IS

Lexus IS Overview

The Lexus IS is the Japanese’s answer to the likes of BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class. The IS designation stands for ‘Intelligent Sport’ and it is the smallest executive sedan offered in Lexus’s vehicle line up. The third-generation model, codenamed the XE 30, is offered in various flavors and the IS 300 model is the sole variant that made it to this side of our shore.

The Lexus IS 300 is made available in Malaysia in 4 different trim levels- Premium, Luxury, F Sport, and the Hybrid. They are mechanically identical underneath, boasting a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine driving the rear wheels, except for the 300h which features a hybrid powertrain that consist of a 2.5 litre naturally aspirated engine paired to an electric motor. Prices starts from RM 409,000 for the base Premium variant and up to RM 535,000 for the top of the range Hybrid variant.

Lexus IS Design

The Lexus IS draws its design inspiration from the Lexus LF-CC concept first unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, incorporating design elements like the lower bumper with an integrated L-shaped signature illumination, L-shaped rear combination lamp with 3D design and an integrated spoiler within the boot lid onto the IS sedan.

The unmistakable LED headlamp design combines with the massive, slated spindle grille to give the IS its aggressive and road commanding stance. The Lexus’s L-Finesse design language is further demonstrated by the elaborately sculpted character lines that finesse their way from the rocker panels through to the rear wheel arches and seamlessly terminates in the down-sweeping taillamps design.

F Sport variant adds sporty touches such as F Sport front grille featuring F-mesh pattern with jet-black plating, a more prominent curtain air intake featuring gloss-black trims, and the F Sport 18-inch two-tone aluminium wheel with F-Sport emblem. Distinctive taillamp with L-shaped illumination further accentuate the IS taut surfaces at the rear, punctuated by the twin trapezoidal tailpipe.

Lexus IS Dimension

The Lexus IS is Lexus’s entry level sedan, positioned below the Lexus ES (GS range is discontinued in 2020) in terms of size. It has a footprint that is comparable to that of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, only marginally shorter, by 21 mm to be exact.  

Lexus IS Interior

It is the familiar luxurious interior that we have come to know and expect from Lexus. Despite being the ‘baby’ Lexus, the level of craftmanship on the interior is second to none. As standard, the cabin is upholstered in ‘NuLuxe’ premium synthetic leather, accented by silver interior trims around the air vents, gear selector as well as the paddle shifters.

The central analog clock adds a premium touch to the cabin and the available class leading 10.3-inch display is seamlessly ‘carved’ into the dashboard, deliberately positioned out of reach and controlled only using the console-mounted Remote Touch interface next to the palm rest.

The button-laden centre console can be a tad busy and old-school by today’s standard, though the touch-based climate control system does keep the number of buttons in check.

F-Sport trim adds bolstered F-Sport seats, steering wheel trimmed in perforated leather, aluminium pedals, F-exclusive stitching, and race-inspired instrumentation. The Luxury trim adds upgraded leather upholstery with contrast stitching, wood trim, and ventilated and heated front seats.

Interior cubby space is ample with generous interior storage area. Boot space of 480 litres matches most of its European rivals and the rear seats folds down to free up additional cargo space.

Lexus IS Features

Standard features include LED headlamps with DRLs, power moonroof, SmartAccess with push button Start/Stop, Drive Mode Select, Dual Zone automatic climate control, Scout GPS Link with TurnStream, and Lexus Display Audio with colour multimedia display with voice command.

Also available is the comprehensive Lexus Enform service that allows access to your mobile application, emergency assistance or even starting your engine remotely using your smart phone. A 15-speaker, 835-watt Mark Levinson premium surround sound audio system is available as an optional upgrade.

Technical highlights on the IS include the 17-inch alloy wheels on the Premium and Hybrid trim and 18-inch alloys on the Luxury and F-Sport trim. The F-Sport trim receives an F Sport suspension tuning and the Lexus LFA-inspired digital instrument display that moves in concert with a sliding bezel.

Lexus Safety System+ suite of safety technology is available as standard on all IS model, which include system like the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Intelligent High Beam. Also fitted as standard are the reverse camera, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and 10 airbags.

Lexus IS Driving Performance

Engine

The Toyota AR engine family codenamed the 8AR-FTS engine features advanced technology like the twin-scroll turbocharger which minimises turbo lag, greatly enhancing engine responsiveness and performance while offering a robust low-end-torque for an effortless acceleration.

The IS 300h hybrid variant combines an advanced 2.5-litre direct-injection petrol engine with a high-output electric motor, which on its own produces a respectable 143 PS and 300 Nm of torque. 

The total system output of the hybrid powertrain comes up to 324 PS and 521 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h is dealt with in 8.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 200 km/h. Equipped with D-4S direct injection and dual VVT-i valve control, 4-cylinder engine uses Start/Stop technology and exhaust heat recycling to reduce fuel consumption and emissions even further.

Transmission

All trim levels except for the hybrid model are mated to an 8-speed Sport Direct-Shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The hybrid powertrain on the other hand is paired to a Toyota made automatic eCVT.

Lexus IS Ride Comfort

Coupled with the double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension (based on that of the much-acclaimed GS performance sedan), the Lexus IS 300 strikes a nice balance between comfort and driving dynamics.

Exclusive to the F-Sport trim is the F Sport suspension tuning. Unless you are planning to use it for track days most of the time, otherwise the more aggressive setup can seem overly firm at times 

Lexus IS Fuel Consumption

Lexus IS Conclusion

In the highly saturated and competitive compact executive sedan segment dominated by the Europeans manufacturer, the Lexus IS indeed has got some work cut out for it. On the most part, the Japanese Marque has certainly to delivered. The Lexus IS sedan’s unique and distinctive exterior design, generous equipment list, and Lexus’s trademark attention to detail no doubt offers a compelling proposition among its rather monotonous rivals. 

But with a price tag of over RM 400k for the base model, it is hardly justifiable even with the ‘made in Japan’ label, especially when the segment’s benchmark, the latest G20 BMW 330i M Sport is a whopping RM 130 k cheaper. Perhaps that is precisely the reason why it remains the less popular choice among Malaysians.