Acceleration

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
6	5	8	6.2

IS 250s feel sleepy on takeoff, strained up steep grades, shy on midrange passing power despite responsive, silky automatic transmission. IS 350 strong in all situations, did 5.5 sec 0-60 mph.

Fuel Economy

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
5	5	5	5.4

With manual-tranmission IS 250 averaged 20.7 mpg. Test AWD IS 250 averaged 22.4 in mostly highway work. Both engines require premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	5	5.9

Closely matches class rivals, but slight wheel thump on washboard roads, mild float over large crests at speed. Optional sport suspension, 18-inch tires detract little from comfort.

Steering/Handling/Braking

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
7	7	7	7.2

Trails benchmark BMW 3-Series, but corners with little body lean, secure grip, agile feel. But again, optional sport suspension, 18-inch wheels seem to make little difference. Nor does AWD on dry roads. New electric power steering quick, informative. Strong brakes furnish swift, drama-free stops, but pedal action slightly grabby.

Quietness

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	7	6.1

Coarse-surface tire thrum noticed, but not intrusive. Wind noise modest. The 2.5 V6 louder than 3.5 at high rpm, but both engines subdued, relaxed in highway cruising.

Controls

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
7	7	6	7

Lexus's usual large, legible gauges and handy, intuitive minor controls, but steering wheel obscures switches on lower dashboard. New in-dash navigation screen more legible than IS 300's smaller pop-up display. As on other Lexus models, it controls many audio and climate functions, but is easier to learn than most navigation systems. Cabin decor visibly richer, more elegant than IS 300's.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	6	6.5

Snug, despite enlarged exterior. Adult-size leg space, but limited head room for six-footers. Seats comfortably shaped and padded. Fine driving stance abetted by tilt/telescope steering wheel with optional power adjustment, but styling limits views to right-rear, directly aft.

Room/Comfort (rear)

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
3	3	3	3.6

Tight. Head room limited, leg room skimpy with front seats pushed fully aft. Narrow door openings, small footwells impede entry/exit.

Cargo Room

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
3	3	3	4.7

Packing complicated by smallish trunk opening, intrusion from rear wheel arches and trunklid hinges. Cabin storage mediocre.

Value within Class

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
5	5	5	6.1

The original IS 300 was basically an upgraded Japanese-market Toyota, but its replacements impress as true-Lexus in design, features, and materials. Despite the brand's strong resale-value record, however, these premium compacts are not quite alluring enough alternatives to the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G35--especially in rear-passenger room and comfort.

Total Score

IS 250, man.	AWD IS 250	IS 350 w/nav. sys., sport susp., 18-in. whls.	Class Average
54	53	55	58.7

Scores for all Premium Compact Cars

Low Score		52
Average Score		58
High Score		65