Vehicle Tested
| 2010 IS 250C
Base Price: $39.660
At-Tested Price: $48,200
Built in Japan.
Options
18-Inch Alloy Wheels
Luxury Package
Navigation System
Engine: 2.5-Liter V6
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
DriveWheels: Rear-Wheel Drive
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The IS is Lexus' entry into the highly competitive premium compact car segment. Competitors include the Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Volvo S40. Premium compact a are usually the smallest offering in the automaker's lineup but generally offer most of the luxury features available on the top-line cars.
IS comes in three flavors, IS 250, IS 350 and IS F. All are available as four-door sedans. The IS 250 and IS 350 are also available as a hard-top convertible and carry the designation IS C. All models come standard with rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is offered only on the sedan version of the IS 250.
The IS 250 gets 240-horsepower 2.5-liter V6 engine. IS 350 models get a 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The ultra sporty IS F comes with a 416-horsepower 5.0-liter V6. The 250 gets either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. IS 350s get a six-speed automatic and IS F models get a eight-speed automatic.
In this review we'll focus on the IS C, which is the convertible version of the four-door IS. It features a power retracting hard top with a glass rear window and rear defogger. When not in use, the hard top stows in the trunk and eats into cargo space. Drop top competitors include the Audi A5, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G37, and Volvo C70. Mercedes-Benz offers an E-Class convertible, but it is significantly more expensive than the IS.
Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, dual-front, front-side, and front-knee airbags. Also available are rear-obstacle detection, rear-view monitor, and Lexus' Pre-Collision Safety System, which is designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected.
The IS 250C lists for $39,440 with manual transmission and $40,610 with automatic transmission. Included in the base price are air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, power tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, ten-way power front bucket seats with lumbar adjustment, center console, heated power mirrors with turn signals, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, keyless access and starting, AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer and digital-media player connection, iPod adapter, Bluetooth cell-phone link, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, power-retractable hardtop, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, 225/45VR17 front and 245/45VR17 rear tires, alloy wheels.
The IS 350C has a base price of $44,890, which adds to the 250C smog sensor and automatic recirculation, 3.5-liter V6 engine, and six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability.
Options include heated and ventilated front seats, power sliding and folding front seats, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), wood interior trim, illuminated door sills, rain-sensing wipers, steering-linked HID headlights. Also available is a Navigation Package that includes navigation system with voice recognition, real-time traffic information, rearview camera, and Mark Levinson sound system.
The IS C is built in Japan and has a destination charge of $875.
Get Up and Go Though both engine offerings are of the V6 variety, there's enough of a difference in displacement to give them completely different character.
The 2.5-liter V6 in the 250 works hard to push out a 0-60 mph time of about 8.5 seconds. That's class adequate, but no more. Passing punch is modest and the engine feels sleepy off the line, requiring a deep stab at the throttle for cut-and-thrust city commuting.
Conversely, the 3.5-liter V6 in the 350 is a powerhouse. Its 300-plus horsepower push the IS C from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds. Passing power is great and the engine jumps off the line when you goose the go pedal.
Both engines mate well to the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy is class competitive. The 250C is EPA rated at 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The 350C garners EPA ratings of 18/25 mpg. In both cases those ratings are quite reasonable for the class. One downside is that Lexus says premium-grade fuel is required on all models.
In somewhat of a disappointment, real-world driving with the thriftier IS 250C is likely to yield only about 18 mpg in straight city driving. That's a few miles per gallon below the EPA rating. Straight highway cruising nets a more respectable 26-28 mpg.
On the Road Even though it is a convertible, the IS C feels like a sporty coupe. The ride isn't so hard that it is annoying, but it's is considerably firmer than a typical Lexus buyer might expect. The suspension takes the edge off of sharp impacts but isn't so soft that the IS C bobs and pitches on rough roads.
Interestingly, the body structure doesn't seem as stiff as some competitors. Top down, there's a fair amount of cowl shake around the windshield and there's some twist when traversing railroad tracks. Keep in mind the structure seems to tighten considerably when the top is up.
Handling levels are on par with most competitors. The IS C feels nimble and secure on twisting roads and stable when curving around expressway on ramps. There's little body lean and the suspension does a good job of keeping the wheels planted in bumpy turns.
The electric steering feels as natural as any hydraulic system. It's quick and accurate and tracks straight and true on the highway. The brakes are powerful and provide plenty of stopping power. The pedal is easy to modulate.
Even with standard traction control, the rear-drive IS C scrambles for grip on snowy days. This isn't because of poor design, but because touring tires are standard. Chicagoland owners will want to swap the touring tread out for a all-season rubber in the winter or face a very real risk spending some time in your dealer's body shop.
Traditional Lexus owners might fret slightly over the IS C's interior noise levels. There's noticeable tire roar on coarse surfaces and a fair amount of wind noise around the front pillars. The engine is subdued and cruises quietly.
Behind the Wheel The interior of the IS C is more business-like than a traditional Lexus like the ES or LS. 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 $40,000-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 well 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 makes 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 of the retracting hard top.
As is common in coupes and convertibles, rear-seat room is severely limited. Top up, head room is restricted. Leg room is marginal at best and that's with the front seats pushed forward. The seats also aren't inline with the foot wells, resulting in an awkward sidesaddle arrangement. Bottom line, the back seat is best suited to small children or parcel duty.
Trunk space is 10.8 cubic feet with the top up and just 2.4 cubic feed with the top down. Believe it or not, that's average for this class and enough to accommodate--top up--a couple of suitcases or a few overnight bags. Interior storage is limited to a small glove box and shallow center console bin.
Bottom Line The Lexus IS C offers worthy competition for your luxury convertible dollars. Rather than stand out from the herd, it chooses to blend in, offering something for everyone without really excelling in one particular area.
Like most in the class, the rear seat is a token gesture, but the trunk offers enough room for a weekend's worth of stuff and the hard top truly makes it a year-round vehicle. All things considered, prices start off quite reasonably. Add a couple of the high-zoot packages, though, and you'll quickly broach the $50,000 mark. Spend your dough wisely and the IS can satisfy the needs of empty nesters quite nicely.
Specifications, 2010 Lexus IS 250C
| Dimensions
| 4-door wagon
| Engine
| DOHC V6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 107.5
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 2.5 / 152
| Length, in.
| 182.5
| Horsepower @ rpm
| 204 @ 6400
| Width, in.
| 70.9
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 185 @ 4800
| Height, in.
| 55.7
| Transmission
| 6-Speed Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3814
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 21 city / 29 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 10.8
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 17.1
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 4
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 4 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 38.3
| Powertrain
| 4 years / 70,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 44.1
| Corrosion
| 8 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 36.1
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 4 years / 60,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 25.9
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| 1st and 2nd Service Free
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