2002 Lexus IS 300: Road Test
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2002 Lexus IS 300 ▼
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- MSRP: $29,435 -$32,305
- Invoice: $25,091 -$28,428
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Our road test for the 2002 Lexus IS 300 includes a full evaluation of the 2002 Lexus IS 300 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2002 Lexus IS 300, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2002 Lexus IS 300 help you decide if a 2002 Lexus IS 300 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Manual or automatic, test IS 300s did 0-60 mph in a class-competitive 7.3 sec. Manual shift action feels precise. Responsive automatic transmission complements good midrange punch, though one test example tended to stumble getting away from a stop. Automatic transmission's steering-wheel gear-change buttons provide quick shifts, but take practice and don't provide true manual operation.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 4 | 5.1 |
Manual and automatic test cars averaged 17.2-18.9 mpg with gas-eating performance tests. Test 5-speed IS averaged 20.8 mpg in mostly highway driving. Lexus requires premium gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.2 |
Firm and occasionally thumpy over sharp bumps, though it copes well with broken pavement at higher speeds and is always stable.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.9 |
Both sedan and wagon handle with agility, but steering feel and overall balance lack European rivals' precision. Overly sensitive traction control and antiskid systems cut in too quickly on manual-transmission models, yet cornering too fast with traction control switched off risks an early tail slide. Simulated panic stops showed good stability, shorter-than-average distances.
QUIETNESS
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
Wagon no louder than sedan. Coarse-pavement tire thrum can intrude on both, and wind noise is higher than in some competitors. Engine throaty, but subdued at lower rpm, smooth, and pleasant to hear.
CONTROLS
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 4 | 6.3 |
"Chronograph-style" gauge cluster jazzy but legibility not ideal. Optional navigation system looks like an afterthought. Its screen motors out of the dashboard top, but controls are on center console and dangerously difficult to use while driving. Metallic gear-shift handle conveys heat and cold. Optional leather upholstery is Lexus-worthy, but some other interior materials are debatable.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
A bit snug. Limited rearward seat travel mars otherwise good driving position. Seats generally comfortable, though some testers wished for adjustable lumbar bolstering, others for longer cushions with better thigh support. Sloped roofline and back-seat headrests cramp SportCross rear visibility.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 |
No surfeit of space in any dimension. Two adults the practical limit. Narrow floor-level passages, small doors squeeze entry/exit.
CARGO ROOM
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 6 | 4.2 |
Usefully cubic trunk has decent space, but also bulky U-shape hinges. SportCross's function as a true wagon undercut by roof shape, intrusive wheelarches.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 6 | 4.3 |
Both the IS 300 sedan and wagon are entertaining drives--solidly class-competitive in acceleration and ride quality, with handling just a notch below the best European rivals. They're built well, though interior space is snug front and rear and the SportCross lacks true wagon cargo capacity. These are Lexus' idea of a compact sport sedan and wagon, and that makes them worthy of note.
Total Score
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | SportCross w/nav. sys. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 52 | 56 | 54.5 |
Total Score: 54
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