2006-2008 Lexus IS: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

2007 Lexus IS
2008 Lexus IS
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2006-2008 Lexus IS ▼

  • Price Range:  $22,800 - $48,900
CG Rating

53

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2006-2008 Lexus IS and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Steering/handling
  • Acceleration (IS 350)
  • Quietness
  • Control layout and materials

Cons

  • Acceleration (IS 250)
  • Back-seat passenger room and comfort
  • Cargo room

Vehicle Highlights

Lexus redesigned its sporty compact sedan for 2006. The new IS borrowed its basic architecture and styling cues from Lexus' larger GS sedans. Compared to the 2001-05 IS 300, the 2006s were 3.5 inches longer overall and 3 inches wider, on wheelbases that measured 2.4 inches longer. Two rear-drive models and an all-wheel-drive version were offered; the slow-selling wagon was dropped. The 2006 IS 250 and IS 250 AWD held a 204-horsepower V6 engine, while the IS 350 had a 306-horsepower V6. A six-speed manual transmission was standard for the rear-drive IS 250. Available for the rear-drive IS 250 and standard for other models was a six-speed automatic with manual operation from a shift gate or steering wheel paddles. All IS models came with antilock braking, antiskid/traction control, front torso side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and front knee airbags. Also standard were keyless ignition, an in-dash CD changer, tire-pressure monitor, and 17-inch wheels. Available options included 18-inch wheels, a sport suspension, sunroof, leather/wood interior trim, and heated/cooled power seats. An optional voice-activated navigation system included a rearview TV camera and wireless cell phone link. Rear obstacle detection and steering-linked bi-xenon headlights were also available; so was adaptive cruise control, designed to maintain a set following distance. Another new IS option was Lexus' Pre-Collision System, designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash was detected. Lexus' IS duo competed against the Acura TSX, BMW 3-Series, and Infiniti G35.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Lexus IS 250 w/AWD Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 6
Steering/Handling/Braking 7
Quietness 6
Controls/Materials 7
Interior Room 6
Room/Comfort (rear) 3
Cargo Capacity 3
Value within Class 5
Total Score: 53
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2006-2008 Lexus IS. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2006-2008 Lexus IS.

Year to Year Changes


2007 Lexus IS: A newly available X Package for rear-drive models included a sport suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, front lip spoiler, and lighted door scuff plates. The IS 350 could get Lexus' Pre-Collision Safety System.
2008 Lexus IS: The 2008 Lexus IS F made its debut as the first of a proposed series of high-performance vehicles from Toyota's luxury division. The rest of this lineup of premium compact cars was largely unchanged. New for 2008 is the IS F, which featured a 416-horsepower 5.0-liter V8.

Our road test for the 2006-2008 Lexus IS includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2006-2008 Lexus IS and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2006-2008 Lexus IS is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Acceleration varies with the model. IS 250s feel sleepy on takeoff, strained up steep grades, and shy on midrange passing power, despite a responsive and silky automatic transmission. In contrast, the IS 350 is strong in all situations. Lexus said an IS 250 could reach 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, versus 8.3 for the 250 AWD and a swift 5.6 seconds for the IS 350. A test IS 350 beat that figure by 0.1 second. Fuel economy is about on par for the class. A test IS 250 averaged 20.7 mpg in city/highway driving, while an AWD version managed 23.3 mpg in mostly highway runs. Both engines require premium-grade fuel. Ride comfort closely matches class rivals, marred only by slight wheel thump on washboard surfaces and mild float over large crests at speed. The optional sport suspension and 18-inch tires detract slightly from comfort. Lexus trails the benchmark BMW 3-Series for handling talents, but corners with little body lean, secure grip, and agile feel. Here too, the optional sport suspension and 18-inch wheels seem to make little difference. Neither does AWD on dry roads. Electric power steering is quick and informative. Strong brakes furnish swift, drama-free stops, but pedal action is slightly grabby. Coarse-surface tire thrum is noticed, but not intrusive. Wind noise is modest. Lexus' 2.5-liter V6 gets hoarse at high rpm, but both engines are subdued and relaxed during highway cruising. Lexus' usual large, legible gauges are accompanied by handy, intuitive minor controls. Unfortunately, the steering wheel obscures switches on the lower dashboard. The current in-dash navigation screen is more legible than the old 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 is visibly richer and more elegant than the prior IS 300's. Rather snug up front, despite an enlarged exterior for 2006, the IS offers adult-size leg space, but limited headroom for six-footers. Seats are comfortably shaped and padded. The excellent driving stance is abetted by the tilt/telescoping steering wheel, with optional power adjustment. Body styling limits views to the right rear and directly aft. Rear space is tight. Headroom is limited and legroom skimpy with front seats pushed fully aft. Narrow door openings and small footwells impede entry/exit. Cargo space fails to impress. Packing is complicated by a smallish trunk opening, plus intrusion from rear wheel arches and trunklid hinges. Cabin storage is mediocre, too.
Value for the Money
The original IS 300 was basically an upgraded Japanese-market Toyota, but its premium-compact replacements impress as true-Lexus in design, features, and materials. Overall, these fun-to-drive compacts aren't quite alluring enough to qualify as alternatives to the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G35--especially in rear-passenger room and comfort. Strong resale values mean used-car prices will be significantly higher than some competitors.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Lexus IS 250 w/AWD Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 6
Steering/Handling/Braking 7
Quietness 6
Controls/Materials 7
Interior Room 6
Room/Comfort (rear) 3
Cargo Capacity 3
Value within Class 5
Total Score: 53

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Lexus IS includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Lexus IS .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Check-engine light: After starting the engine (model 4GR-FSE) on a vehicle that has been sitting overnight, the check engine light may come on indicating one or more misfiring cylinders, the correction for which was replacement of the valve lash adjusters. (2006)

Check-engine light: The check engine light may come on indicating an overly rich running engine requiring recalibration of the engine control computer. (2006)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $810
Alternator $740
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $4,950
Brakes $800
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $1,560
Constant Velocity Joints $2,325
Exhaust System $975
Radiator $825
Shocks and/or Struts $3,105
Timing Chain or Belt $650
Our price chart for this generation Lexus IS details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
2008
IS 250 $30,000-32,500 $27,900-30,200 $21,000-22,800
IS 350 $34,200-37,000 $31,800-34,400 $24,300-26,300
IS F $49,000-52,000 $46,100-48,900 $36,300-38,500
2007
IS 250 $27,000-29,500 $25,100-27,400 $18,100-19,800
IS 350 $31,000-32,500 $28,800-30,200 $21,700-22,800
2006
IS 250 $24,500-26,300 $22,800-24,500 $15,900-17,100
IS 350 $27,500-29,000 $25,600-27,000 $18,400-19,400
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Lexus IS include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 4-door sedan
Wheelbase, in. 107.5
Overall Length, in. 180.1
Overall Width, in. 70.9
Overall Height, in. 56.1
Curb Weight, lbs. 3455
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 13.0
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 17.1
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 39.0
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 43.9
Rear Head Room, in. 36.9
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 30.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

In rear-drive form, Lexus' IS 250 held a 204-horsepower V6 engine, with a standard six-speed manual transmission. A 306-horsepower V6 went into the IS 350. Available for the rear-drive IS 250 and standard for the AWD and rear-drive IS 350 was a six-speed automatic, offering manual gear changes via a shift gate or steering-wheel paddles. The new-for-2008 IS-F model used a 416-horsepower 5.0-liter V8.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
dohc V6 2.5 / 152 204 185 6-speed manual: 20/20
6-speed automatic: 24/32		 6-speed manual: --
6-speed automatic: --
dohc V6 3.5 / 210 306 277 6-speed automatic: 21/28 6-speed automatic: --
dohc V8 5.0 / 303 416 371 8-speed automatic: 16/23 8-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  Japan
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Lexus IS include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2006-2008 Lexus IS directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

2006 IS 250: Accelerator pedal on some vehicles may temporarily become stuck in partially depressed position, and not return to idle position.
2006: A crack may form in two specific fuel pipes located in the engine compartment leading to fuel leakage, increasing risk of fire. Dealers will replace the two involved fuel lines with newly designed lines.
2006: If front seatbelt retractors become locked, they may not release and seatbelt cannot be fastened properly.
2006: Some airbag inflators were produced with insufficient heating agent for proper deployment.

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