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Lexus IS Saloon 220d 2.2

For:
The IS serves up punchy performance, comes well equipped and should be reliable.

Against:
The ride is unsettled, it suffers from too much road noise and you'll be cramped in the back.



Performance

You need to work the 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine hard to extract maximum performance, but it pulls cleanly from low revs and is punchy enough for assured overtaking. Most versions of the 175bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel feel laboured when cruising in sixth, but the shorter-geared Sport model provides plenty of pull at any engine speed. The V8 in the performance IS-F model is sensational, with 417bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.8s.

Ride & handling

The IS turns in swiftly, grips keenly and is unfazed by mid-corner bumps. It's a shame, then, that the steering doesn't offer more feedback and that the pay-off for impressive control over rollercoaster roads is a stiff and unsettled feel around town and on the motorway. These limitations also apply to the IS-F.

Refinement

Usually you can take the quiet and refinement of a Lexus for granted. Certainly, the 2.5-litre petrol engine is suitably hushed and wind noise well suppressed. The diesel is quiet at speed, too, but it chugs noisily around town. Both these and the IS-F performance car suffer from road noise - especially over coarse surfaces - which makes them more tiring on a long drive than they should be.

Buying & owning

The IS is well priced, especially once you take into account the generous standard equipment. It's thousands, rather than hundreds, of pounds cheaper than the equivalent BMW 3 Series. However, the petrol engine and Sport spec diesel both have high carbon dioxide emissions that won't appeal to company car drivers. The IS-F is closer in price to its BMW and Mercedes equivalents, but also has more kit.

Quality & reliability

The cabin materials aren't as appealing as those in an equivalent BMW 3 or Audi whichever model you choose, but everything feels well screwed together. You shouldn't have to make any unscheduled trips to the dealer, either, because Lexus consistently performs superbly in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey.

Safety & security

Lexus was the first car manufacturer to pick up a faultless 100% score in What Car? Security Supertests. All IS models come equipped with eight airbags, while the IS-F has ten, and all variants have a host of electronic systems look out for you when cornering or braking.

Behind the wheel

The controls are logically laid out, and you get a touch-screen to keep clutter to a minimum if you specify options like sat-nav. Taller drivers may feel they're perched too high, but most people will be able to get comfortable. Only the entry model misses out on an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat.

Space & practicality

There's plenty of space upfront, but anyone travelling in the back seats is less well catered for. A VW Golf costing half as much has more rear legroom, headroom is equally limited and if the front seats are set low there's little space for rear-seat passengers' feet. The boot is small and awkwardly shaped, too, with significant wheelarch intrusion.

Equipment

Standard kit makes the big-name German brands look stingy. Even the base model gets alloy wheels, climate control and a 13-speaker sound system with CD changer. SE spec brings heated leather seats, while SE-L adds parking sensors and wood interior trim. Sport ditches the wood and leather in favour of larger alloys and stiffer suspension. IS-F models have 19-inch alloys, keyless entry, climate control, sat-nav and a reversing camera.

Running Costs

Town mpg

35.8

Out of Town mpg

52.3

Average mpg

44.8

Tank Capacity (gallons)

14.3

CO2 Rating (g/km)

168

Insurance Group

13

Typical Insurance Quote

£544

% Value Retained (3yrs/36,000mls)

44

Typical Contract Hire Rate (pcm)

£526

Pence Per Mile

52.81

Servicing Cost over 3yrs

£1024

Servicing Intervals

10/20k

Manufacturers Warranty

3yr/60k + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation

Performance & Measurements

Body type

Saloon

Number of Doors

4

Number of Seats

5

Engine (cc/type)

2231/4

Fuel Type

Diesel

Max Power (bhp/rpm)

175/3600

Engine Position

F

Driven Wheels

Rear

Length (mm)

4575

Width (mm)

1800

Height (mm)

1425

Boot Space (min ltr)

378

Boot Space (max ltr)

378

Turning Circle (m)

N/A

Towing Weight(kg)

1500

Kerb Weight (kg)

1570

View the What Car? Road Test for: