Entered CNET Catalog: 08/30/2005
SKU: CNET_Lexus2006IS350
Manufacturer: Lexus
Product summary
The good: The 2006 Lexus IS 350 features excellent cabin technology, including a crisp navigation screen and a top-notch audio system. Its performance doesn't disappoint, either, with an automatic transmission that hits the right gear at the right time.
The bad: We have a few minor criticisms of the IS 350: its voice-command system doesn't offer a full range of car control; we had to dig down to display song and album information; and phone address-book entries can be copied over only one at a time.
The bottom line: The 2006 Lexus IS 350 uses the highest-quality cabin electronics, and its strong engine and good handling make it a lot of fun to drive. At its relatively low price, it is one of the best values in a luxury sport car we've seen.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: Yes
- Reviewed on: 09/15/2006
Lexus makes a sedan feel like a luxury sport coupe with the IS 350, a perfect car in almost every way that comes in at a price making it the best luxury value available. This car sits below the GS and the LS series in Lexus's model lineup, yet the only thing it gives up is size and a little performance. It has a full range of well-implemented cabin tech, an amazing driving experience, and sharp styling.
With our tech-centered review, one of the first things that stood out was the pleasant graphic design of the navigation and telephone keypad displays on the central touch-screen LCD. The navigation system comes in a package with a premium Mark Levinson sound system, which is one of the best we've ever heard. Cabin materials and switch gear, with quality fit and finish, enhanced the luxury feeling. Power tilt steering wheel and a power rear sunshade round out the interior luxury tech.
Although the 3.5-liter variable valve-timed V-6 and its six-speed automatic transmission sound similar to what can be found in many other cars, this power train uses engineering and electronic controls that contribute to a very sporty driving experience. The transmission is in perfect sync with the engine and the road, picking the correct gears flawlessly. And the engine never feels wanting for power.
Safety gear on the 2006 Lexus IS 350 is as high-tech as it gets, with Lexus's VDIM system combining traction control and antilock brakes to intelligently improve road-holding. Our test car also came with radar-based cruise control, which tracks the car in the lane ahead, automatically using brakes and throttle to maintain distance.
The base price of the 2006 Lexus IS 350 is $35,440, but ours came with the $3,495 luxury package, the $3,990 stereo/navigation package, the $2,850 radar-based cruise control, and sundry other options that ran the final tally up to $46,593.
Although the level of luxury in the 2006 Lexus IS 350's cabin isn't quite up to that of the Mercedes-Benz S550, it's more refined than the Acura RL. The cabin has quality switch gear and materials, well-placed accents, excellent fit and finish, and very comfortable seats. The roof liner of our test car was made of a material that felt like cashmere, while the dash had a rubberized feel, much better than the hard, slippery plastics found in many other cars. The 10-way power adjustable front seats had heating and ventilation controls available on the console. As an example of the car's well thought-out ergonomics, the map pockets in the doors fold down on spring-loaded hinges for easier access.
As with most high-tech cars, the center LCD controls the cabin systems. The IS 350 uses a touch screen, buttons and dials on the steering wheel and the center stack, and voice commands to control its heating, air conditioning, stereo, navigation, Bluetooth telephone integration, and other car systems. The controls are set up with good redundancy. For example, stereo volume can be changed from the steering wheel or central stack. We found the stylish graphic design of the control panels on the LCD a very refreshing change from other carmakers' dull grey input screens. One of the few drawbacks we found on this car is that the voice-command system isn't as intuitive as the one in the Acura TSX. We needed to consult the manual to find out which commands it would accept, and the voice commands didn't control as many of the cars systems as in the TSX, leaving us, for example, to adjust the climate control by hand (a small sacrifice).
On the options list, the navigation and premium Mark Levinson sound system are packaged as one very worthwhile $3,990 package. Expensive, yes, but the audio quality is right up there with the THX system found in the Lincoln Zephyr. With 7.1-channel architecture, 300 watts, and 14 speakers, this system produces fully immersive surround sound that comes through incredibly crisp but with a rich bass note. The six-disc in-dash CD changer handles standard RedBook, MP3, WMA, and even DVD audio formats. And, just for kicks, it will play DVD video on its LCD screen when the car is stopped, with better sound than in most living rooms. It also has an auxiliary input in the center console, with a conveniently placed 12-volt outlet right next to it, for an iPod or another MP3 player. Another small gripe: although it can display song and album information, getting to it requires digging through a submenu or two. It can't be set to stay on the screen.
The navigation system uses a very nice, clear display and includes a full set of points of interest in its database, with retail stores, restaurants, and other destinations for weekend errands. The destination input screen uses predictive entry on its alphanumeric keypad, dimming out letters that couldn't possibly follow the previous entry. The black background and blue-trimmed soft keys are a nice graphic design element, another bit of attention to detail that most other automakers ignore. After destination entry, the system shows the point on a map, along with radiating arrows that let the driver fine-tune the address, another nice detail not seen on many other navigation systems. Route guidance worked quickly, helpfully, and unobtrusively during our testing.
As for the Bluetooth integration, we had no problem quickly pairing up our cell phone with the car. Again, the car gave us a nicely designed keypad interface on the LCD for entering phone numbers. Audio quality was fine for both parties on the line, helped along by the IS 350's well-insulated cabin. Unlike on some BMWs we've tested, there is no command to load a phone's entire address book into the car. The Lexus IS 350 does have an address book, but the phone's address book entries can be pushed in only one at a time.
The standard tech features on the IS 350 are already pretty impressive, including keyless entry and start-up, and very nice electroluminescent gauges, but our car also came with the $3,495 luxury package. This package is less compelling than the premium audio/navigation combination, but it has some niceties such as ventilated front seats, power tilt and telescope adjustment for the steering wheel, and a neat blue illuminated Lexus logo on the scuff panels.
The 2006 Lexus IS 350's place in the Lexus model line has invited comparisons to BMW's 3 series, but the lack of a manual transmission option in the Lexus points to different intentions for the car. Both cars may fit under the luxury-sport label, but the Lexus leans more toward the luxury side of the equation. However, it doesn't give up much, if anything, in performance. Its 3.5-liter V-6 is technically advanced, a quality it shows in the car's performance, and the six-speed automatic is nearly telepathic.
Twenty-four variable timed valves enhance the efficiency of the engine, helping it produce its 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The fuel system injects gas directly into the cylinders, which makes for a more efficient burn, while also using standard port injection, which delivers a quieter ride at lower RPMs. All of this combines to delivers strong acceleration--a tap on the gas pedal sends the car bolting forward without letup. Acceleration from higher speeds remains strong.
But an essential part of this power train is the electronically controlled six-speed automatic. Lexus has built some very effective programming into it, as it seemed to read our intentions and shift gears appropriately. For example, jamming down the gas pedal made it hold gears as the tach raced up toward its redline (shown on the gauge by an illuminated red ring). Lesser transmissions would have up-shifted early, making for an unsatisfying drop in power. The IS 350 includes paddle shifters on the wheel for the transmission's manual mode, but it didn't take us long to just stop using them, as the car always seemed to have the right gear for whatever driving situation we threw its way.
Handling on the IS 350 also proved excellent, aided by Lexus's panoply of road-holding technologies that live under the acronym VDIM. Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management takes antilock braking, traction and stability control, and even minor steering adjustment, integrating them all in one combined system designed to keep the car on the road. The handling feel is very good, with the steering wheel offering solid road feel and precision, tipping the luxury-sport equation back towards sport. We took the car on various twisty roads around the San Francisco Bay Area, and it always felt sure-footed.
The EPA rates the 2006 Lexus IS 350 at 21mpg in the city and 28mpg in the highway, very good numbers for an engine of this size, which points to its efficiency. The car also gets a ULEV II rating from California, another good mark for a car with an engine this powerful.
Lexus is no slouch when it comes to high-tech safety, as evidenced by the multiple standard and optional systems in the 2006 Lexus IS 350. The car comes with the previously mentioned VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) system, which aids in performance and safety by helping keep all wheels on the road. Airbags also surround the vehicle cabin, with front seats getting front, side, and knee airbags, and side curtain airbags for front and rear seats. The car includes a tire pressure monitor and a rearview camera, and it even comes with a first aid kit strapped into the trunk.
The luxury package that came with our IS 350 included high-intensity discharge headlights, which produce a bright, clean white light. And the headlights also had Lexus's adaptive system, which pivots the lights slightly when the wheels turn for better visibility around corners.
One of the most remarkable systems, which we classify under safety, is the $2,850 optional radar-based cruise control, which is part of Lexus's optional precollision system. The cruise control lets the driver set the speed and choose from three following distances. The car travels at its set speed until the radar detects a car in the lane ahead and slows down to match its speed. It's a little eerie having the car slow down or speed up depending on the speed of the car ahead, but the system worked well during our testing. However, even at its shortest following distance, it leaves a pretty large gap, which other cars will quickly jump into in heavy traffic. This cruise control is best suited for light to medium traffic.
The 2006 Lexus IS 350 hasn't yet received front, side, or rollover ratings from the NHTSA. It's covered by Lexus's generous warranty, which gives four years or 50,000 miles of basic coverage, eight years or 70,000 miles on the power train, and six years against corrosion.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34out of 34 user reviews
Fast, luxurious, and great looking 4-door sedan.
Pros: Power delivery
Stunning acceleration
Handling
Luxurious interior
Amazing sounding Mark Levinson radio
Decent fuel economy
Great looking inside and out.
Functional instrumental panel (Nav)
Cons: Some squeaks and rattles
Small backseat
No fold-down rear seats
Goose neck truck hinges
Handling is great with the 18-inch summer tire (Bridgestone Potenza RE50A tires)
Luxurious interior with amazing sounding Mark Levinson home theater radio.
Decent fuel economy (averaging about 23 MPG) for a large 3.5L V6.
Great looking on the inside and outside (best looking 4-door sedan in my opinion), with functional instrument panel on the navigation package.
Some squeaks and rattles after 15,000 miles from the dashboard and headliner.
Small backseat, have to push forward the passenger front seat in order to get the rear-facing baby seat installed on the back.
Truck is relatively small (smaller than a mid-sized car), with no fold-down seats and goose neck truck hinges that further limit the size of the truck.
Otherwise, I'm very happy with my purchase of the 2006 IS350 with 11,000-miels back in June 2008 with now over 21,000-miles on the odometer. I've got a dedicated set of winter tires/wheels/sensors for Chicago's winters and look forward to replacing the noisy Bridgestone summer tires with a longer tread life tire (perhaps even a high-performance all-season tires).
out of 34 user reviews
Not the Lexus quality I'd hoped for
Pros: Fast, comfortable, big trunk, great brakes, Base stereo is the best I've heard.
Cons: VDIM, wobbly $600 review mirror, Super thin and soft paint, Motor sounds like it ate a box of rocks, A and B pillars are thick & poorly placed and obstruct pedestrians, cramped seating (knees always hit column, I'm 5'10",
out of 34 user reviews
Great Fun, very fast
Pros: swift launches, nimble handling
Cons: always on headlights attract attention
The Lexus, even though a six speed automatic only transmission, felt faster than any of the others. Handling is nimble, like cat's claws are ready to grab the edges of the pavement. Smooth transitions, always feels in control. Ready to take on everything on the road, short of supercars costing 2x or 3x its price. Powerful brakes with unemotional short stops. Excellent fuel economy for 306 HP, 3500 lbs. Manual shift control via steering wheel paddles or the console shifter. But the auto trans does an excellent job 95% of the time. 18" wheels, low profile radials and the sports suspension encourages exploring the limits of adhesion.
Just give me a 'kill switch' to turn off the always on headlights that could attract too much attention when I don't want it!
out of 34 user reviews
Lexus IS 350 or Infiniti G35 Journey?
Pros: Quick, beautiful exterior and interior
Cons: Nav and Bluetooth
Added to the Infiniti G35 Journey
Technology, Premium, Navigation, and Performance Tire and Wheel packages. Wood Trim was also added.
Added to the Lexus IS 350
Luxury Package, Navigation System, Pre-collision and dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
With the above packages, there are still a few items in the Lexus IS 350 that are not in the Infiniti G35. These extra items in the IS 350 are: (1) Ventilated seats, but both cars have heated seats. (2) Paddle shifters on the steering wheel, but Infiniti has them on the sport edition of their cars but not the Journey Edition. (3) Power rear window sun shade for back window, but the back window is so small to where this is hardly an issue.
With the above packages, there are still a few items in the Infiniti G35 that are not in the Lexus IS 350. These extra items in the Infiniti G35 are: (1) Compact flash card slot to bring your own mp3 music into the car. (2) a 9.3 GB Music Box hard drive. (3) a Cassette player - yes they have a CD/DVD player (4) Heated outside mirrors.
All in all the cars are now outfitted the same. The final MSRP cost is as follows:
Infiniti $39,615
Lexus $47,170
Thus the Infiniti is $7555 cheaper than the Lexus at initial purchase. But is it really cheaper. What about the cost after the purchase?
This section address the cost after the car is purchased. The following scenario is based on $3.25 per gallon for gas. It is also based on the Infiniti G35 obtaining 13 mpg in the city (from Consumer Reports) and the Lexus IS350 obtaining 18 mpg in the city (Lexus’s web site). The HWY miles have been ignored since they are so equally yoked. The extra gas cost of the Infiniti is as follows for the mileage range:
Miles Extra Cost
1000 $69
5000 $347
10000 $694
15000 $1,042
20000 $1,389
25000 $1,736
30000 $2,083
100000 $6,944
As you can see, initially the Infiniti is cheaper to get into but will start costing you some more money in the long run – sort of a “pay now or pay later” concept or a “pay as you go” concept. In any event, after driving the Infiniti G35 for 100,000 miles, the Infiniti is still $611 (7555 - 6944) cheaper than the Lexus IS 350. There are other variables that I have not taken into consideration like the cost of oil changes, cost of repairs, depreciation, and so on. This report is simply based on the cost of the car and the cost of gas. As gas prices increase the numbers above will increase accordingly. Infiniti’s web page says their car gets 17 mpg (4 miles per gallon better than what Consumer Reports has listed). Based on the 17 mpg, what's listed on the G35's window sticker, the extra cost of gas per 1000 miles is $11 and after 100,000 miles it's $1062. I don't know if the manufacture or Consumer Reports is correct.
It’s important to note that it’s almost impossible to get an IS 350 with a luxury package or Radar Cruise Control on it. On the flip side it’s very easy to obtain an Infiniti G35 with the extras on it or to purchase one bare bones. This is all based on marketing strategies. Infiniti lets the customer decide on what they want, or do not want to buy. Lexus decides what the customer will or will not buy based on what they think will sell in different regions. Lexus’s strategy is almost like false advertising but they can get away with it because you can special order a car via the Customer Relations department.
Final comparison of both cars.
If you are going through middle aged crisis, you are a small person, or very young without a family, then you might like the Lexus IS 350 better because it’s quick, impractical, and responsive. If you have a family, and you want a compromised between luxury, performance, initial cost value, and practicality, then you’re probably better off with the Infiniti G35. Plus the Infiniti G35 is available in an AWD model for individuals living in areas of snow. The IS 250 (much slower) has an AWD version also.
I have only had the IS 350 for two days so it's hard to really give it an accurate rating. I do not own a G35 but I did go for a test drive twice. I almost bought the G35 but the Lexus dealership is 5 miles from my house compared to 21 miles for the nearest Infinity dealership.
You really can't go wrong with either car. The best thing to do is to test drive both models and pick the one you feel more comfortable with.
P.S. The IS 350 will fold both mirrors down while in reverse. The G35 only folds down the mirror where the switch is located. The G35's backup camera will have lines on it to show you where you are in relationship to what is behind you - a nice feature. The G35 also has more wood than the IS 350.
out of 34 user reviews
Wow, great car
Pros: power, luxury, nice body
Cons: feel every bump.
out of 34 user reviews
I love this car!
Pros: Fast, comfortable, beautiful....perfect
Cons: NO FOLDBACK SEATS!!!
If you really want a safe car, you want one that can go fast when you need it to, usually on a freeway on ramp where some jerk in the slow lane is approaching you from behind at 80 miles an hour. This car hits the spot right on!
The IS350 is the FIRST IS released in Japan under the Lexus name and is bound to be a classic one day. It has an amazing engine, allowing you speed as well as fuel economy using an ingenious fuel delivery system.
Everyone complains about the handling on this vehicle, and in my opinion this vehicle handles amazingly well. What most people complain about is that they can't FEEL the handling. What you have to learn is there is a balance between feeling the road and feeling comfortable so your butt doesn't hurt after a 60 minute drive. In my opinion Lexus has REFINED this to most drivers that want speed and a comfortable ride for the real world, whether they believe so or not. In other words, some people believe they want to feel every bump of the road but in reality, most don't. I drove in my brothers M3 and I was exhilarated with the speed, but HATED the ride after 30 minutes. In my IS I am exhilarated by the speed, and love it that I can feel enough of the road to make ME happy.
In terms of the leather interior, the leather is incomparable to the other cars, test drive all the other cars and you'll understand!
out of 34 user reviews
HOT CAR, but....
Pros: engine pulls nicely, comfy fitted interior, ML optional audio system cranks, the pearl white is a pimp color
Cons: weak as a mfs. standard auto, but with all the upgrades, and a few tweaks to the engine's onboard comp, perfection.
also... i live in the north east, ct to be exact and i've seen about 20-25 IS's since i purchased mine, but all of them have been the significantly less fun and scantily equiped IS-250 AWD versions. the addition of that 75-85 hp between versions (depending on how u have it tweaked) makes for a sports sedan that people gawk at while burnin off the line. the most popular comment i've heard is "thats a lexus? damnn, it pulls hard..."
out of 34 user reviews
Great car, replacing my benz clk320.
Pros: technology, reliability.
Cons: Design almost there... almost...
out of 34 user reviews
One year in, and loving it
Pros: Fast, smooth engine, beautiful interior, very comfortable
Cons: Not much wrong here - 6+ footers may need more headroom, minor annoyances with electronics
Cabin is beautiful, electronics work well, I have had zero problems with this car.
Northeast driving, I got snow tires and dedicated rims to the tune of $3K total. Not the best car in the snow as you might imagine, but it did ok with the winter tires. Overall 21mpg in suburban driving
out of 34 user reviews
Great choice for the import buyer.
Pros: Value and resale.
Cons: Visibility through rear view.
out of 34 user reviews
I love the looks of this car both inside and out!!!
Pros: Quick, Comfortable Ride, Mark Levinson, GPS
Cons: I wish there were a button to make the mirrors come in
out of 34 user reviews
Great exterior, bad interior
Pros: 3.5 liter, 6 speed, fast
Cons: interior trim, too much driving aids, no manual transmission on IS350
out of 34 user reviews
The best in its class
Pros: Power, styling, refinement, touch screen nav
Cons: Back seat, pricey, voice control, no AWD option
1. Interior (where you spend the most time) is beautiful, by far the best of the bunch. It is the smallest in the back, but I don't use the back seat. Infiniti is the largest, but least refined. BMW is in the middle but loses a lot of points for lack of storage (cupholders for example are a joke) and the overall setup of controls / buttons.
2. Peformance - Lexus was the fastest of the bunch by far and handled well. The car mags will tell you that the BMW will go through a set of cones quicker, but I don't drive through cones.
3. Quality - 1 = Lexus, 2 = Infinti, 3 = BMW.
4. Technology - 306 HP from twin injection 3.5 liter with 23+ EPA... wow. Touch screen NAV and stereo are fantatic (the voice recognition is not). BMW needs to give up on idrive and go to a touch screen. The car mags rightfully criticize this feature. BMW also gets hit for not having a true keyless system and still having the CD changer in the glove box.
5. Style (I liked them all except for the 530).
6. Price - I paid $44k for a loaded IS350, Infinti was signficanlty less, BMW330 about the same but with less features and the problems described above. 530 was about $55 and more than I wanted to spend.
I have had the car for 7,000 miles now with no problems at all and still enjoy it tremendously. You can disable VSC during the start up sequence for a wild ride, but be careful, there is a lot of power.
The 2007 G35 looks pretty nice and the price is $5k less than the Lexus. Maybe my next car.
out of 34 user reviews
Zippy powerful IS
Pros: Sexy looks, classy quiet interior, silky smooth engine, awesome power, good mileage, tight turning radius, beautiful fit/finish, cool gauges, sharp-looking rims, keyless entry/start, backup camera...
Cons: Only minor complaint: Extensive brake dust on front wheels
out of 34 user reviews
The Lexus IS350 is a good effort at matching the BMW 3-series but there are better (Infiniti G35).
Pros: Toyota quality and reliability
Cons: Neutered driving experience with interfering electronics
There's not question or doubt.
out of 34 user reviews
Best thing on 4 wheels
Pros: Luxurious and sporty all in one.
Cons: no manual transmission
One thing to note in the review, is that the voice command system actually IS quite spanning. It's poorly documented, but if you try to talk to your IS it will listen. It understands things like "70 degrees" to control climate.
out of 34 user reviews
Good... but not a sports car. Don't be fooled
Pros: Engine, interior, quality, technology
Cons: Transmission, handling
Oh, not that this matters and I am sure that no one really cares but I am pretty sure that this is a chick car. I know the IS 250 is, I get more comments from woman that like my car then men. Just something to think about. I am proabbly a sexiest pig now.
out of 34 user reviews
Bad a%% car
Pros: Responsive, fast, precise, high-quality
Cons: Still not quite a match for BMW, although much less $$
out of 34 user reviews
horrible design its a rip off bmw and mercedes.
Pros: nothing go for a nice luxry car like mercedes or cadillac
Cons: its just a toyota with lexus emblems
out of 34 user reviews
Great, but only for a small one-car family
Pros: quick, high quality, reliable, luxurious
Cons: premium sound only with GPS navigation system, no manual
out of 34 user reviews
Amazing piece of machinery
Pros: Accelerations, interior styling, quality
Cons: small rear seat - but I don't care, I'm in the drivers seat!
out of 34 user reviews
exceptional sports sedan
Pros: performance, general refinement, and overall technology package
Cons: a bit too much unsprung weight in those 18 inch wheels and tires, but a correctable problem
out of 34 user reviews
Premium Luxury Sedan
Pros: Strong V6, Awesome interior, soundsystem, Nav is easy to use, great exterior looks
Cons: PRice can get a tad high with everything(like I configured mine)
out of 34 user reviews
Best All-around Sports car on the Market
Pros: Nitrus-like acceleration, Supple ride, Beautiful yet-low key design
Cons: Rims could use fewer spokes, look a little too decorative. Sports-package should come standard on the 350v.
The IS350, on the other hand, is a different beast altogether. With an unmatched combination of high performance, ergonomic interior and very smooth ride it is, as another post mentioned, a car with hidden-unleashed violence yet very refined looks. It's as if Pierce Brosnan had the hairy, knuckle-dragging personality of Sean Connery.
Mercedes(boats on wheels), Audi(garish front-end appearance) BMW(50k go-carts) don't come close to the overall value and perfomance of the IS350.
out of 34 user reviews
Brilliant execution from Lexus, this IS 350
Pros: One hell of a good looking vehicle, fast, endless luxurious touches
Cons: sun visor extension needed, can't believe they missed that
I wrote earlier submission a couple of weeks ago - brilliant execution from Lexus - I am still putting so many things in perspective but on May 2 2006 @ approx 12 pm Hwy 404 going N ( Ontario Canada ) - a waste disposal truck clipped me from behind and sent me flying into the concrete dividers ( construction was happening )I spun back into the side of the truck ( front and knee air bags deployed, pre tensioners worked since i had no time to use brakes. The truck's tires wheel nuts and bolts were imprinted upon the front of my vehicle.I am alive with a sore thumb. Final 3 seconds of crash proves GOD exists as I could only pray.Lexus built a safe car here. I am thankful too that I did purchase this car but the crash has taught me I need to make my life count to help others and the cross has new meaning for me.
Ron Fredericks
out of 34 user reviews
The best entry level luxury sedan
Pros: Sexy looks, excellent handling & power, nice interior, great sound
Cons: Comfortable for two
out of 34 user reviews
This is your car if...
Pros: Reliable, Real Sport/Luxury, Nice craftsmanship, high performance
Cons: Rear seats a little tight, lacks manual, wood-trim not offered on sport package, costly (but better than its competitors)
out of 34 user reviews
EXELLENT CAR!!!!
Pros: EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAR!!
Cons: A FLAWLESS CAR!!
out of 34 user reviews
Lexus gets it right
Pros: Nice power plant, great luxury touches
Cons: Electronic nanny controls cant be turned off, no manual 6 speed tranny
It would have been nice to have the option to turn off the "nanny controls" for those stretches of open road that sports cars were made for. You can still have fun on them, but it’s like having your mom riding in the back seat. And why no manual 6 speed for the IS 350, what were they thinking with that decision?
BMW is still the true sports sedan, but falls far short on luxury touches. Audi falls short on both accounts even in the S4 class. The S4 fits more into a grand touring profile than a luxury sports sedan. Acura has nice refinements but needs to move into the 300+ hp to play here.
Bottom line....for a pure sports sedan regardless of luxury go with the BMW 3 series, but if you want a luxury car that can run with any of the sports sedans in performance, the IS 350 should be top of your list.
out of 34 user reviews
A car that changes the rules of the category
Pros: Elegant styling; supreme engineering; creamy 6-cylinder engine; faultless build quality; cocoon-like comfort; eats miles; a joy to spend time in
Cons: lack of rear passenger space; small, odd shaped trunk
For those of us who live in the real world, driving pleasure is merely one of several important criteria for evaluating a car's ability. Long distance comfort, cabin ambiance, the durability of the interior, reliability and build quality, can all be equally important.
The good news is that while the new Lexus IS350 is on a par with, if not equal to the BMW 330i dynamically, across nearly all other dimensions, it eats it for breakfast.
The first thing you notice is the stylish exterior lines of the car. The IS350 is a supremely elegant and well-balanced design. It achieves distinction without resorting to awkward Bangle-esque flame surfacing. The IS350's cabin environment is equally impressive. You’ll find it a spectacularly comfortable and enjoyable place to pass the time spent journeying from one place to another.
The suspension provides impressive traction yet at the same time delivers a compliant ride which ensures you will be able to live with its handling year round. No mean feat. The V-6 engine is surprisingly frugal for a unit that’s so powerful – thanks to direct injection technology. It purrs contentedly around town, but plant the pedal to the metal and it unleashes a tidal wave of power.
Ignore people who say that this car isn't agile. It is. But what this brand is all about is the effortless elimination of distance…
…And wherever you're going, it'll feels like you've just travelled around the block when you get there. The Lexus IS series brings a level of quality and refinement to the class that no competitor presently comes close to matching. Peerless build standards, nerd-like attention to detail and superb materials throughout give this car uncommon integrity. The electronic toys on offer make this Lexus a fitting product to be reviewed on CNET’s pages. The stablility control system is one of its cleverest fatures. Called VDIM, it is programmed to take over should you exceed the car's dynamic abilities. For some people this will kill the fun of lurid tail slides. For those of us who negotiate treacherous winter roads, it might just make a difference when it most counts.
A lot of people have bemoaned the fact that no manny tranny is available on the 350 (it is offered with the IS250). However, the autobox is so good on this car you really won’t miss a stick shift. Once you get used to flicking between gears using the Formula One-style paddles behind the steering wheel, you’ll never want to use anything else.
In short, the engineering achievement of this Lexus is so deeply impressive, I urge you try one before buying anything else. And, you do buy one, don’t offer any employee of a German car company a lift, because they’ll be the only person to sit in this car and squirm with discomfort.
out of 34 user reviews
Luxury, reliability, and performance
Pros: power, brakes, handling, gadgets galore
Cons: price, small back seat
My personal recommendation - get LoJack installed. This car is going to be very popular with the Fast & Furious crowd.
out of 34 user reviews
Serious luxury sports sedan, still no manual tranny
Pros: fast; beautiful new exterior; clean interior layout
Cons: no manual transmission; no maple interior offered on sports model
). True, the automatic transmission still leaves something to be desired. The DSG in the Audi is still the smoothest, and the throttle blip on downshift in the Infiniti is just plain cool. Still, I have chosen the Lexus over the others in its class due to the luxury aspect of the car.My only gripes are the lack of manual transmission, and the fact that you can't get the maple wood with the sports package. Otherwise, both my wife and myself have chosen this car over the others (including an Imola Red M3). That's how much we like the car. In fact, at the recent Orange County Car show, it was the only car that my cousin and I sat in where we just looked at each other and said, "Oh, yeah; THIS is the car." If it happens in the future that Lexus offers it in manual tranny, I'll probably get that too. Notice I didn't say trade in? hehe Oh well, I'll just have to work more night shifts...
out of 34 user reviews
Very Disappointed
Pros: NEW BODY is nice from outside.
Cons: Cheap Interior, weak motor, very expensive!
out of 34 user reviews
Great Car, Tiny Cabin!
Pros: Reliability, Technology, Value
Cons: BMW want to be
