Vehicle: 2009 Lexus IS250 RWD automatic with Sport Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$42950

Performance: The real reason we review the IS series even during this facelift is because Lexus claims its improvements are good enough to dubbed it “all new”. But for us, we want to find out whether IS is enough to challenge its formiddable competitions.

The major area Lexus claims as all-new is the reprogrammable 6-speed automatic gearbox, that’s why we decided to put it through the paces. Lexus claims it has a completely new fuzzy logic program that make it up and downshifts much more efficiently. When this 6-speed manumatic gearbox’s effectiveness when up and downshifting, also the prompt kick-down are typical high Lexus standards. We don’t feel anything significantly improved when it comes to shifting speed. It remains a refined, no fuss gearbox that feel very much a Lexus. The paddle shifter location on the steering wheel, on the other hand, are still on the same unergonomically designed behind the steering wheel. Consider what Lexus always claims themselves as the most user-friendly when it comes to luxury car manufacturers, IS250′s paddle shifter location is going the opposite direction of what it claims to be. Shame on you, Lexus!

As for the rest of the powertrain, it remains the same underwhelming 204hp 2.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with direct injection and dual variable valve timing technologies. In this time and age, when even a supposedly economical-oriented 2.5 liter straight-5 in a VW Rabbit is able to pump out 170hp. Having 204hp in a 2.5 liter V6 with all those technlogies is nothing to write home about, especially when Lexus wants to compete in the fiercely competitive sports sedan category. At a time when Audi A4 2.0T got 211hp, Mercedes C280 got 228hp and BMW 328i has 230hp, having only 204hp isn’t enough to compete. If you look at C230, 323i and A3 2.0T having similar hp but come with a more eager engines than IS250, Lexus’s competitiveness is completely going down the toilet.

This engine isn’t particularly responsive nor quick given IS250′s curb weight of 1558kg. Yes, it still retains Lexus engine’s smoothness and composure.

Handling: Despite what Lexus engineers claim to have a sharper sports suspension, particularly on our IS250 with sports package. It still drives like the same ole, same ole. Although the response is quicker and steering feels slightly sharper. The rest of the package remains a boring car tried to be a sporting car. Pretending to be sporting seems to be the best description of what this generation of IS to be. Sporty is a word that Lexus engineers always dream of but never able to achieved. Sporting is getting close but no cigar. Yes, you can finally turn off the annoying VDIM we first experienced 3 years ago. But it remains stepping in at an alarming rate. The chassis remains numb and detached even if its stiff. Steering remains numb and dead, completely devoid of any road feel at all. The ride comfort is smooth but never have the level of suppleness IS’s competitions have known for years. Unfortunately, its still far from Lexus’s magic carpet ride benchmarked from ES and LS. There are plenty of body rolls and understeer are excessive for rear driver.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and ABS, the pedal feel of IS250 remains decently solid. While the inital pedal travel still have the sort of Lexus softness in the pedal. Its a pretty confident braking system that at least much with its price tag.

Interior: If you are expecting IS to have anything called decent rear legroom and trunk space, then don’t expect anything. IS’s rear seat legroom has to be considered as a cruel punishment by any sedan standards. As for its trunk space, its a Japanese joke.

The rest of the interior remains cramped, even in front. Although it got clear and analog instrumentation gauges and Lexus’s trademark soft leather materials, the rest of the dashboard are covered in some cheap plastic that look expensive. It looks expensive but feels cheap to the touch. The interior design has started to show its age.

Conclusion: The industry keeps changing and so do IS’s competitions. If the IS’s rivals keep resting o their laurels, this car could leapfog to the top of its class. Unfortunately, they aren’t. The reality is this car can barely keep up with the class.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Lexus IS250
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Performance: 3/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 1/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 2.5/5