Lexus IS - Test Drive Review

Date: 04 June 2013   |   Author: Tristan Young

Category: Upper medium P11D price: £30,940 Key rival: BMW 320 ED On sale: July 2013

The figures for the diesel-rivalling IS300h, however, are impressive. Lexus has combined a 178hp 2.5-litre petrol engine with a 141hp electric motor and produced a car with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km in entry-level SE form or 103g/km in best-selling Luxury trim. Official fuel consumption is 64.2mpg for the best seller, while the combination of a low (12%) benefit-in-kind band, the good fuel figure and low SMR level mean the IS300h is close on whole-life costs with the class favourite, the equivalent BMW 320 ED with an automatic gearbox.

These figures alone would put the Lexus squarely in the upper medium fight. However, the IS300h has other advantages. Its styling stands out - in a positive way - from its rivals and this should attract user-choosers looking for something different in the market. The interior also shows a refreshing change with some very high-quality materials as well as perfect construction. Items such as a neat, touch-sensitive slider for the climate control or the comfortable and supportive front seats, which are also designed to allow maximum (and claimed class-leading) rear legroom, all add to the premium feel.

What lets the IS300h down, though, is the standard CVT automatic gearbox, which in 'eco' or 'normal' modes gives the driver the impression the car is unresponsive and lethargic. However, in 'sport' mode and using the wheel-mounted paddles to change gear there is better response. Ultimately, the car handles well, it's just that any driver used to the powerful shove of a modern diesel engine and the control of a manual gearbox will be disappointed. The CVT gearbox also means that what little noise that does enter the cabin isn't a pleasurable sensation.

Despite having two power sources, the IS300h is engineered so that a maximum of 220hp combined is available, but even then it is the slowest in the class in terms of top speed.

These negatives out of the way, if your drivers are more about covering long distances or do a lot of urban driving, then the comfort of the Lexus and overall refinement is impressive.

If the real-world mpg is as close to the official figures as any of the rivals, then those user-choosers who want refinement and an auto 'box will not be disappointed, while those fleets running them will be safe in the knowledge the WLCs will be class-leading.

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