Test drives and reviews of Lexus IS (Lexus AES). Lexus IS 2014
Material content
The Lexus lineup has replenished with a new convertible
For ten years”Lexus” was represented by only one convertible – “SC 430”. Now this segment has been replenished with a new model – “IS 250C”, created on the basis of a sedan “Lexus IS“.
HE LIKE I felt my approach. When there was a meter and a half left to the driver’s door, a turn signal light lit up on the mirror of the Lexus. “Hello!” the car said silently. I pulled the handle and the door swung open immediately with a barely audible click.
Salon was not just sewn from white leather. Plastic door panels, seat belts, velvet upholstery on the ceiling, fleecy rugs on the floor were made in a single light color scheme. In a word, everything. Only the console with the dashboard stood out. The black lump of “rubber” plastic, turning in the center into the “steel” climate control panel and the “Mark Levinson” DVD system, went to the convertible from the sedan without changes and, to be honest, they created an inappropriate rough contrast here. And some of the controls, made according to American standards, seemed like aliens from the last century ..
Otherwise, everything looks quite presentable. The decorations on the central tunnel are perfectly polished. Leather everywhere of the finest dressing. The stitching on the steering wheel is absolutely smooth to the touch. Access to the second row simplifies the electric drive.
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Price
9 600 is the cheapest Lexus in the form of IS 220 d. The IS 250 with V6 is available from 31,000 euros. The series includes the mentioned 10 airbags, cruise control, air conditioning, and wheels (16 inches). Lexus strengths are design, a flexible and safe chassis, and excellent workmanship. The engines are also above average, but suffer somewhat from excessive overall weight.
Video review Lexus IS 250 The biggest drawback of the IS series is the lack of options: there will be no station wagon anymore. Therefore, the surge in demand in recent years for a practical body option, especially in the middle class, will satisfy the competition.
Engine and transmission
Lexus offers a 2.2-liter common-rail diesel (177 hp) from the Toyota Avensis and Corolla Verso and a new 2.5-liter direct-injection V6 petrol with 209 hp. For diesel there is only a mechanical 6-speed gearbox, for gasoline there is an automatic one (1800 euros).
Diesel pleases with a rich stroke (400 Nm from 2000 rpm to 2600 rpm). In addition, the noise development of the 4-cylinder engine is discreet. But the speed range used is rather narrow. Below about 1600 rpm, little is done, and 4000 rpm gives the maximum of emotions. The V6 petrol engine is paired with a very good 6 speed automatic for smooth gear changes.
Help to the buyer
The second generation of IS is relatively new, and so far few obvious defects and weaknesses have been identified.
Nevertheless, you should not worry about the bodywork: the factory corrosion protection is so powerful that rust should not bother you for many years to come.
The engine has no birth defects. Only low-quality gasoline can damage oxygen sensors, catalysts and spark plugs.
The transmission also has no weak points and serves more than 400 thousand km before repair, like the engine.
The running gear is strong enough. But its resource depends on driving style. For those who like to ride on the principle of “more speed – less holes”, suspension repairs are required every 80-100 thousand kilometers.
Options and prices
They plan to sell the car in 40 countries of the world, where, of course, the United States of America can be attributed. It will be possible to buy Lexus IS 2021 from about $39,000 for a basic modification. Unfortunately, the new generation is not planned to be delivered to the European and Russian markets due to strong competition from German cars. At least for now.
But in America, the 3rd generation Lexus IS has proven itself well and has a fairly solid support from motorists. Sedans were supposed to start selling at the end of last year 2020. The final price of the 4th generation Lexus IS will depend on the number and properties of special options.
