Jun 17, 2011 – It’s a case of better late than never, but Toyota deserves some credit for finally correcting a marketing deficiency by fitting its Lexus-brand IS 350 sport sedan with all-wheel drive.
Granted, this might not seem like an Earth-shattering development, but it does strengthen the IS’s case in the compact sport-luxury sedan segment. You see, during the past decade, this über-competitive segment has seen the number of AWD models swell the existing product mix. For example, take the big three: The Mercedes C-Class has three 4Matic versions (C250, C300 and C350), BMW’s 3 Series has the 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive and Audi only recently added a front-wheel-
In AWD form, the IS 350 is an exceedingly agreeable ride. Some armchair quarterbacks think of it as an alternative to the aforementioned BMW 335i xDrive and, indeed, there are enough similarities in size, power, fuel economy and performance to make the case. But, there is also a genteel side to the Lexus that makes it more of a boulevardier, albeit one with a 3.5L V6 packing 306 hp worth of muscle. Don’t get me wrong; genteel does not mean wimpy. The IS 350 AWD has legitimate sporting bona fides. Put your foot into it and the drivetrain hooks up immediately, launching the 1,656-kilogram four-door to 100 kilometres an hour in six seconds. But, as is Lexus’s wont, it’s also equally smooth and quiet — more so than in a Bimmer — which makes it deceptive. On a couple of occasions while on the highway at what I thought was a normal cruising speed, I checked the speedometer and found the car going 20 km/h faster. “But, officer, the car is just so damned silent.”
Being an enthusiast, I’m disappointed that only the rear-wheel-drive IS 250 is available with a six-speed manual transmission. However, as a pragmatist who spends a lot of in-car time dealing with traffic congestion, the IS 350’s six-speed manumatic — with paddle shifters — is an acceptable compromise. Personally, I prefer manually shifting using the console-mounted lever, but Lexus has the IS configured so that upshifts require the lever to be pushed forward, while a tug backward brings downshifts — counterintuitive to my way of thinking. So, to avoid any possibility of executing a downshift when I wanted a higher gear — definitely embarrassing and possibly disastrous, depending on the situation — I used the paddles. The resultant quick, precise shifts proved more than satisfactory.
More than satisfactory also applies to the IS 350 AWD’s handling and road-holding. The sport sedan demonstrates prodigious grip when weather conditions leave the roads greasy. The car’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system — which electronically links the vehicle stability and traction control systems as well as the well-weighted electric power steering — is properly sorted out, stepping in to prevent wheel slippage before it results in a slide or skid.
A “mature” car, the second-generation IS has been around since the 2006 model year. Fortunately, due to its passing resemblance to the BMW 3 Series, notably in profile, it has aged well. This year, the line gets updated fog lamps and a new grille design, revised rear backup lights and turn signals as well as a new exhaust pipe tip. Inside, the cabin is a little more dated, lacking the latest gee-whiz graphics and super-high-tech controls. Frankly, I enjoy the simplicity. Besides, the instrument gauges are sharp and bright, the buttons are large enough and properly marked and most everything naturally falls to hand.
My biggest beef with the car remains its lack of rear-seat legroom — at 6-foot-2, I can’t get even attempt to squeeze into the back seat if the front seats are back in their tracks. Yes, it is a compact sedan — emphasis on compact — but this limitation stretches the car’s notion of being a usable four-seater. A lesser but costly annoyance is that the V6 requires premium unleaded, which is outrageously overpriced in relation to regular. My week with the tester resulted in a fuel economy readout of 13.1 litres per 100 kilometres, not terrible considering I gave those 306 ponies a decent workout whenever I could. By comparison, I averaged 12.4 L/100 km when I tested the IS 250 AWD a while back.
At $44,950 (base price), the IS 350 AWD enjoys a significant price advantage over the $52,100 BMW 335i xDrive; not at all against the far roomier $43,450 Infiniti G37x sedan — and the G remains one of my favourite AWD sport sedans.
So, what’s the final tally? Well, AWD makes a lot of sense in our four-season country, and the IS’s system doesn’t detract from the car’s inherent rear-drive handling demeanour. The engine is certainly powerful enough and is smooth as glass. Its ride quality is good and the front-seat accommodations are comfortable.
As a four-seater, the IS 350 makes a great 2+2. It’s been on the market for six years and, although it’s been refreshed a couple of times in the interim, most of its rivals are newer.
US Auto Enterprises is an organization of informants that will handle all your needs, through dealerships to the transportation. We can have your brand new car deliver directly to your door! We have a wide variety of automobiles to choose from, we can save you thousands on the car of your dream. Let US Auto Enterprises uncover all of the hidden dealer cash, with absolutely no hassle. Call 1-888-705-6787 or 1-561-577-8386
US Auto Enterprises
1-888-705-6787
http://www.usautoenterprises.com
sales@usautoenterprises.com
Granted, this might not seem like an Earth-shattering development, but it does strengthen the IS’s case in the compact sport-luxury sedan segment. You see, during the past decade, this über-competitive segment has seen the number of AWD models swell the existing product mix. For example, take the big three: The Mercedes C-Class has three 4Matic versions (C250, C300 and C350), BMW’s 3 Series has the 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive and Audi only recently added a front-wheel-
In AWD form, the IS 350 is an exceedingly agreeable ride. Some armchair quarterbacks think of it as an alternative to the aforementioned BMW 335i xDrive and, indeed, there are enough similarities in size, power, fuel economy and performance to make the case. But, there is also a genteel side to the Lexus that makes it more of a boulevardier, albeit one with a 3.5L V6 packing 306 hp worth of muscle. Don’t get me wrong; genteel does not mean wimpy. The IS 350 AWD has legitimate sporting bona fides. Put your foot into it and the drivetrain hooks up immediately, launching the 1,656-kilogram four-door to 100 kilometres an hour in six seconds. But, as is Lexus’s wont, it’s also equally smooth and quiet — more so than in a Bimmer — which makes it deceptive. On a couple of occasions while on the highway at what I thought was a normal cruising speed, I checked the speedometer and found the car going 20 km/h faster. “But, officer, the car is just so damned silent.”
Being an enthusiast, I’m disappointed that only the rear-wheel-drive IS 250 is available with a six-speed manual transmission. However, as a pragmatist who spends a lot of in-car time dealing with traffic congestion, the IS 350’s six-speed manumatic — with paddle shifters — is an acceptable compromise. Personally, I prefer manually shifting using the console-mounted lever, but Lexus has the IS configured so that upshifts require the lever to be pushed forward, while a tug backward brings downshifts — counterintuitive to my way of thinking. So, to avoid any possibility of executing a downshift when I wanted a higher gear — definitely embarrassing and possibly disastrous, depending on the situation — I used the paddles. The resultant quick, precise shifts proved more than satisfactory.
More than satisfactory also applies to the IS 350 AWD’s handling and road-holding. The sport sedan demonstrates prodigious grip when weather conditions leave the roads greasy. The car’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system — which electronically links the vehicle stability and traction control systems as well as the well-weighted electric power steering — is properly sorted out, stepping in to prevent wheel slippage before it results in a slide or skid.
A “mature” car, the second-generation IS has been around since the 2006 model year. Fortunately, due to its passing resemblance to the BMW 3 Series, notably in profile, it has aged well. This year, the line gets updated fog lamps and a new grille design, revised rear backup lights and turn signals as well as a new exhaust pipe tip. Inside, the cabin is a little more dated, lacking the latest gee-whiz graphics and super-high-tech controls. Frankly, I enjoy the simplicity. Besides, the instrument gauges are sharp and bright, the buttons are large enough and properly marked and most everything naturally falls to hand.
My biggest beef with the car remains its lack of rear-seat legroom — at 6-foot-2, I can’t get even attempt to squeeze into the back seat if the front seats are back in their tracks. Yes, it is a compact sedan — emphasis on compact — but this limitation stretches the car’s notion of being a usable four-seater. A lesser but costly annoyance is that the V6 requires premium unleaded, which is outrageously overpriced in relation to regular. My week with the tester resulted in a fuel economy readout of 13.1 litres per 100 kilometres, not terrible considering I gave those 306 ponies a decent workout whenever I could. By comparison, I averaged 12.4 L/100 km when I tested the IS 250 AWD a while back.
At $44,950 (base price), the IS 350 AWD enjoys a significant price advantage over the $52,100 BMW 335i xDrive; not at all against the far roomier $43,450 Infiniti G37x sedan — and the G remains one of my favourite AWD sport sedans.
So, what’s the final tally? Well, AWD makes a lot of sense in our four-season country, and the IS’s system doesn’t detract from the car’s inherent rear-drive handling demeanour. The engine is certainly powerful enough and is smooth as glass. Its ride quality is good and the front-seat accommodations are comfortable.
As a four-seater, the IS 350 makes a great 2+2. It’s been on the market for six years and, although it’s been refreshed a couple of times in the interim, most of its rivals are newer.
US Auto Enterprises is an organization of informants that will handle all your needs, through dealerships to the transportation. We can have your brand new car deliver directly to your door! We have a wide variety of automobiles to choose from, we can save you thousands on the car of your dream. Let US Auto Enterprises uncover all of the hidden dealer cash, with absolutely no hassle. Call 1-888-705-6787 or 1-561-577-8386
US Auto Enterprises
1-888-705-6787
http://www.usautoenterprises.com
sales@usautoenterprises.com
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