2008 Lexus IS F Review

PROS  Blinding acceleration, Terriffic road holding, steering and braking, High-tech gadgets

CONS  Hard ride, Mediocre fuel economy, Cramped rear seat

If you were to call the BMW 3-Series the Holy Grail of compact sport-luxury sedans you'd get little argument from auto enthusiasts. It was the first and is still considered by many the best. Sure there are other impressive vehicles in the class--namely the Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Yet, it's hard to fault the 3-Series' innate paring of luxury, sport, and technology.

On the flip side, Lexus is well known for offering some of the quietest, smoothest-riding cars on the planet. The Lexus LS forced BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz to rethink what a full-size luxury car should be, the Lexus ES defined the entry-luxury segment, and the Lexus RX dominated the luxury SUV marketplace.

So why would a company with a reputation for building comfortable, quiet, and luxury-minded cars want to do battle with BMW in the hotly contested compact sports-sedan market? Simple . . . marketshare.

Lexus' first attempt to compete with the 3-Series was the 2001 Lexus IS--a car long with sports sedan DNA, but not enough polish. Available as a four-door sedan or wagon, it was rear-drive, powered by a straight-six, and could be had with either a manual transmission or an automatic with Formula One inspired paddle shifters. Sales didn't meet expectations, but that didn't stop Lexus from trying again with a completely redesigned IS that launched in 2006.

This car was larger and a more credible competitor to the vaunted BMW 3-Series. Available only as a four-door sedan, the new IS was originally available in one of two trim levels, IS 250 with a 204-horsepower 2.5-liter V6 and IS 350 with a 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Rear-wheel drive is again standard, but all-wheel-drive is optional on the IS 250. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all models except for the IS 250 AWD. Standard on that model and optional on all others is a six-speed automatic with separate shift gate and paddle shifters for manual operation.

New for 2008 is the IS F. Designed to go head-to-head with the über-sport BMW M3, it features a 416-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 that mates to an eight-speed automatic.

Standard safety features on all models include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, and dual front, front-knee, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. A rear-obstacle-detection system is a stand-alone option. A rear-view camera is offered as part of the Navigation system package. Also optional is Lexus' Pre-Collision system, which is designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected.

IS 250 and 350 come with dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, power front bucket seats, center console, trunk pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, keyless access and starting, sunroof, AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer and digital-media player connection, universal garage door opener, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, ad 17-inch alloy wheels. IS 250 AWD models add heated/cooled front seats.

IS F adds power tilt-telescope steering wheel, heated front seats, memory system, aluminum interior trim, heated power mirrors with automatic day/night, rain-sensing wipers, steering-linked adaptive HID headlights, rear spoiler, sport suspension, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Options include a navigation system, Mark Levinson audio system, rear sunshade, wood interior trim, and satellite radio. The navigation system includes voice activation and a Bluetooth cell-phone connection.

Prices start at $30,855 for the IS 250 and climb to $56,000 for an IS F. All models have a $765 destination charge and are assembled in Japan.

Get Up and Go  It's an age old recipe. Take your most powerful V8 and shoehorn it into your smallest and lightest sedan. Detroit's been doing this since the '50s and the rest of the world is finally catching on. BMW does it with the M3 and now Lexus is doing it with the IS F.

Standard fare IS 350s, with their 306-horsepower V6, will easily accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds--that's fast. Now imagine what adding 110 horsepower will do . . . drop the 0-60 time to about four-and-a-half seconds. That's supercar fast.

Unlike many high-strung performance engines, the IS F's V8 produces plenty of torque. Enough to launch the IS F from stoplights like a scalded cat and enough to produce neck-snapping passing power. At the same time, the engine comes into a "power zone" at about 3600 rpm. Above this engine speed the exhaust note kicks up and the engine delivers a serious knockout punch of power.

Putting all of that power to the pavement might be a bit tricky, but Lexus has provided the IS F with enough electronic controls to make a NASA scientist blush. The alphabet soup of acronyms is mind boggling: VDIM, EPS, VCS, TRAC, ABS, BA, EBD. Essentially, a multitude of sensors constantly monitor vehicle speed, available grip, and lateral movement to optimize traction and help the driver maintain control of the car.

EPA estimates for the IS F are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, and Lexus says that premium-grade fuel is required. Those numbers are better than the M3's ratings of 14/20 and likely considerably better than those managed by the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, which has not yet been rated. In routine, light-footed driving expect to average about 20 mpg. If you consider yourself a lead foot or do strictly city driving don't expect fuel economy to exceed 16 mpg.

On the Road  Given its 19-inch wheels, performance tires, and sport suspension, you'd expect the IS F to have a very firm ride. For once, you'd be right. While there is more bump suppression than in a Chevrolet Corvette or Dodge Viper, the ride is extremely firm. You'll feel every jolt and expansion joint for sure.

The ride isn't so firm that it becomes uncomfortable on long trips. There's just enough compliance in the suspension to take the sharp edge off of larger bumps and such good rebound control, that there's little bounding or pitching on badly broken pavement.

On twisting roads, little difference in road-holding abilities between the IS F and BMW M3. Both vehicles stick to the road with tenacity in fast corners. The BMW might be a touch more refined on the race track, while the IS F feels slightly more nimble in urban driving situations. Body lean in quick transitions is near zero and the suspension does an excellent job of filtering mid-turn bumps, thereby eliminating wheel hop.

The electric steering feels as natural as any hydraulic system. It's quick and accurate and tracks straight and true on the highway. Braking power is awe inspiring, at least on dry pavement, and the pedal is easy to modulate.

Traditional Lexus owners might fret over the IS F's interior noise levels. There's plenty of tire roar on coarse surfaces and a fair amount of wind noise around the front pillars. The engine burbles at idle but cruises quietly. In hard acceleration, there's a noticeable change in exhaust tone at about 4000 rpm. It's sure to impress the neighbors, but likely grows tiring over time.

Behind the Wheel  The interior of the IS F is more business-like than your traditional Lexus. There's no wood trim. Instead it's replaced by aluminum and satin-brushed plastic. Door panels and dash top are nicely padded and there's a padded center armrest as well. In all, materials and assembly are appropriate for the $50,000-plus price tag.

Drivers face a large instrument panel that features oversized speedometer and tachometer. Audio and climate controls are blended into a center-console display. That forces some compromises in operation and leads to additional driver distraction. Window, mirror, and lock switches are conveniently positioned on the driver-door armrest.

Front seats are firm and highly bolstered, so much so that larger drivers might find them constrictive. Leg room is generous, but head room is only adequate for larger adults. The standard tilt-telescope steering wheel and height adjustable seat make it easy for drivers of all sizes to find a comfortable driving position. Visibility is restricted to the rear thanks to large rear-roof pillars.

As is common in compact-luxury sedans, rear-seat room is limited. Two adults have adequate head and marginal leg room if the front seats aren't pushed more than halfway back. Otherwise, the rear seats are best left to children. Seating adults three across would be a challenge.

Trunk space is limited to just 13.3 cubic feet. Believe it or not, that's large for this class and enough to accommodate a couple of large suitcases and a few overnight bags. Interior storage is limited to a small glove box and shallow center console bin.

Bottom Line  Let's get one thing straight, the Lexus IS F isn't for everyone. The hard ride and mediocre fuel economy are compromises not everyone wants to make for awesome acceleration and handling. Mainstream buyers should consider the IS 250 or IS 350, which offer a more reasonable blend refinement and performance and make a lot of sense when compared to other vehicles in the class.

Enthusiasts considering the IS F will find lots to like. Acceleration is stellar, handling limits are exceptional, and the steering and brakes are top notch. Throw in a refined interior, lots of electronic gadgets, and Lexus reliability and you have the makings of a real winner.

Perhaps the biggest downside to any IS is the cramped rear seat. Otherwise it impresses with plenty of polish and strong resale value. Prices are on the high side, so be sure to shop the competition before you jump in head first.