2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
At Toyota's luxury brand Lexus, most of the vehicles sold are in the entry-level series. With the V6 petrol engine in the IS 250, it's not just the price that puzzles premium customers.
By Michael Langenwalter
With the entry-level IS series, Lexus has finally established itself in the premium mid-range segment. Where the Audi A4, the BMW Dreier or the Mercedes C-Class set the tone, with their most important model in terms of volume, the Japanese have positioned themselves primarily through price. Exactly 34,300 euros are due for the V6 petrol engine in the IS 250 in conjunction with the smooth and jerk-free six-speed automatic. That is the level of the German competing models. However, in addition to premium quality workmanship, Lexus also offers significantly more extensive equipment: cruise control, ten airbags, air conditioning or the on-board computer are already included, to name just a few.
The engine can hardly be heard
But the price is only one side. After all, the sporty sedan has to assert itself first and foremost in terms of appearance and performance against the phalanx of German competitors. And there the noble brand from Toyota sets an exclamation point with the smooth-running V6 gasoline engine. If you start the IS 250 at the push of a button, you don't even notice the engine at first. Only when you bring the easy-revving six-cylinder up to speed does a sporty, but always subtle sound develop.
Heavy chunk
The 153 kW / 208 PS strong engine shovels the power to the rear wheels with confidence and unobtrusively. The maximum torque of 252 Newton meters is at 4800 revolutions. This guarantees proper, but, thanks to the very high vehicle weight of 1.7 tons, not outstanding performance. The 100 km / h mark is touched on the elegant round instrument in the cockpit after 8.4 seconds. Lexus specifies a top speed of 225 km / h.
Thanks to the balanced chassis and precise steering, the IS 250 can also be moved lightly in curves. At least 9.1 liters of Super are burned per 100 kilometers. That makes CO2 emissions of 214 g / km. That is not a small value. But in times of almost similar prices for diesel and gasoline engines, the IS 250 can again fully utilize its performance advantages compared to the more economical diesel version IS 220d. Incidentally, in the first ten months of this year, more IS buyers opted for the gasoline engine than the diesel engine.
Cramped conditions
Lexus can also fully play out its other trump cards in its smallest series. In terms of design, the 4.56-meter-long second generation of the IS bears the so-called "L-finesse" signature with the elegant design language and an almost coupe-like line. This of course makes the rear view much more difficult. But why does Lexus offer a reversing camera including parking sensors and a seven-inch screen for an extra 4,000 euros?
The tapering front section and the short rear are also striking. The latter, in turn, has the disadvantage that the trunk is very small at 378 liters. But the back seat offers additional storage space. The IS 250 is actually designated as a five-seater. But the legroom in the rear is so limited that it is better to largely limit passenger transport in the second row.
Luxury or sports package
But business customers, who make up the majority of the still relatively small number of IS customers (1340 copies sold from January to October), can do without that anyway. In addition to the price incentive, what counts for them is the special kick that they can set a sign of individuality with even the smallest Lexus.
Incidentally, this also applies to the design of the IS 250. For a surcharge of 6390 euros, the Japanese are offering the "Luxury Line", which includes leather seating and 17-inch alloy wheels in addition to the reversing camera and parking aid already mentioned. The "Sport Line" is available for 4980 euros for ambitious drivers. Here the lowered IS 250 rolls on 18-inch tires. There is also a matching aluminum sports pedals.
