LEXUS IS

LEXUS IS

LEXUS IS

The 2011 Lexus IS 250 looks the part of a sport sedan, and this year's minor face-lift adds to its athletic appearance. The new oblique front fascia strakes and optional LED daytime running lights definitely increase the sense of visual aggression. But are appearances enough, or is the Lexus IS 250 a weakling in a

 



letterman's jacket? With only a 2.5-liter V6, the Lexus IS 250 is a bit like a bench warmer on the junior varsity team. But hey, it still gets to wear the jacket, right?Beneath its edgy exterior, the Lexus IS 250 is as refined as your typical Lexus IS. Comfort and luxury take priority over performance, and the car gets your attention with a top-notch cabin and solid workmanship. On the highway, the Lexus IS 250 is nearly silent in its operation and isolates occupants from the harsh outside world.This focus on comfort comes at the expense of athleticism, however. When you're trying to have fun, there's plenty of body roll, and the lifeless steering does little to encourage exuberance. This is further compounded by a 204-horsepower 2.5-liter V6 that achieves good fuel economy but lacks the oomph to stir the soul.In its defense, Lexus IS 250 does offer some performance upgrades through the new F Sport package and dealer-installed accessories. Then again, if buyers really are that interested in a sportier Lexus IS, they can always upgrade to the more powerful IS 350 or raucous IS F. Unfortunately, all of these Lexus IS variants suffer from a lack of interior space. A cramped backseat and limited headroom might deter those who frequently shuttle multiple passengers.

LEXUS IS

On either side of the comfort/performance scale, the 2011 Lexus IS 250 remains a second-stringer among star athletes. Buyers who lean toward comfort will find similar luxury and more space in alternatives that include the Acura TL, Audi A4, Cadillac CTS, Mercedes C-Class and Volkswagen CC. And if you want real performance to go along with sporty appearances, we suggest checking out the BMW 3 Series or Infiniti G Sedan.le
The 2011 Lexus IS 250 is a compact luxury sedan that is offered in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive trim levels, which correspond to drivetrain choices. The other Lexus IS models, including the convertibles and high-performance IS F, are reviewed separately.
Standard equipment on the Lexus IS250 includes 17-inch wheels, foglamps, heated mirrors, a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, eight-way power front seats (includes two-way lumbar control), leather upholstery and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Also standard are the Safety Connect telematics system; Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity; and a 13-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and iPod/USB interface. The Lexus IS250 AWD adds all-wheel drive and heated front seats.

LEXUS IS

The Lexus IS  Navigation System package adds a hard-drive-based navigation system, Bluetooth phonebook downloading, a rearview camera, voice commands, real-time traffic and other information, and Lexus Enform enhanced telematics features.Lexus IS  a 14-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system can be added to the navigation system. The Luxury Lexus IS package adds xenon headlamps, auto-dimming outside mirrors, automatic wipers, a power rear sunshade, driver memory functions, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel and wood trim. RWD models gain 18-inch wheels.
The new F Sport Package (available on RWD models with an automatic transmission) adds dark-finish 18-inch F Sport wheels, grille inserts, front and rear spoilers, a sport-tuned suspension, and heated F Sport seats with microfiber inserts and leather bolsters. Front and rear parking sensors are a stand-alone option. Additional F Sport options include 18-inch wheels for AWD models, 19-inch wheels for RWD models, a performance air intake, a sport clutch (manual transmission only), a performance exhaust system, upgraded brakes, sport suspension components, a quick-shift kit and a carbon-fiber engine cover and shift knob.

courtesy by http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/is-250/2011/