2007 Lexus IS Review

When Lexus launched there IS 300 sedan in 2001, their target could not have been more clearly defined: the BMW 3-Series. Equipped with a 3.0L in-line six, the rear-wheel-drive sedan (and the wagon, beginning in 2002) emphasized the car's sporty nature, and some Lexus luxury came attached.

The 2007 Lexus junior sport sedans now have luxury built into their DNA and are available with a choice of drivetrains. The IS 250 has a 2.5L V6 that makes 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft. of torque. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters is an available option. Also available is an IS 250 all-wheel-drive sedan, equipped only with the automatic transmission.

The IS 350 as the premier member of the IS family. This rear-wheel-drive sedan has a 24-valve 3.5L V6 with variable valve timing that makes a healthy 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This athlete uses its six-speed automatic to sprint to 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds, on its way up to a top speed of 142 mph.

The IS 350 offers a sharp response off the line, and the power allows easy merging in traffic. The power of the IS 250 is still sporty, just not as seductive as the bigger motor. The ride from the 225/45R17 front and 245/45R17 rear tires is taut, and the handling is sharp. The electric power steering found in all IS models feels competent.

Aside from the drivetrain, the IS 250 RWD, IS 250 AWD, and IS 350 models are all similarly well-equipped. Power everything, automatic climate control, air bags all around, and a 13-speaker sound system with six-disc CD changer are standard. The only notable exception is that the all-wheel-drive IS 250 has power heated and ventilated front leather seats whereas the rest of the model lineup must order the seat heaters separately.

There are plenty of safety features built into this Lexus. Besides offering four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, all models come with brake assist, traction control, a tire pressure warning system, and other electronic safety nets. Best of these is the Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management. Simply put, this combination of sensors and electronic controls can help prevent spins before they occur, instead of waiting to correct them after they start. It comes standard on the IS 350 and optional on the IS 250.

A number of optional packages allow luxury items to be tacked on at will. The X Package adds larger alloy wheels, performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension, and alloy pedals. The Premium Package adds perforated leather seats with heating and ventilation to the rear-wheel-drive models. A Luxury Package adds xenon auto-leveling headlights with adaptive front lighting, electrochromic exterior mirrors with memory, and rain sensing wipers to all ISs, as well as the upgraded perforated leather seats found in the Premium Package to the rear-wheel-drive models. A Sport Package is available on the IS 350, and it adds a combination of the equipment found on the X and Luxury Packages.

Other options include a state-of the art navigation system with Bluetooth capability, adaptive cruise control with a pre-collision system that prepares the seatbelts and air bags for an unavoidable collision, the latest generation of park assist, and a number of audio system enhancements.
New for 2006, the three Lexus IS sedan models continue largely unchanged for 2007. In addition to adding manual overrides to the stability and traction controls, the X Package is a new package that is available on rear-wheel drive IS models. It includes a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloys, a front spoiler, sport pedals, and illuminated door sill plates. see less