Lexus IS 250 C SE-I 2dr Car Review - February 2012

The extra weight added to the car because of the folding roof does slow down the car in the long run, and the engine is a little sluggish to start getting going. The suspension setting for the 250C is designed to provide a very comfortable ride, but there is still a little vibration to be experienced over rough and uneven surfaces. The car has plenty of grip going into the corners, but the feedback from the steering is a little inert.

As with any other convertible the engine performance is dampened by the loss of the roof, and this is also visible in the difference between the IS 250C and the saloon version of the car. The acceleration from 0-62mph is still a decent 9.0 seconds, and the top speed of 130mph is a significant drop from the speed delivered by the saloon.

With the folding roof up it is difficult to tell the difference between the IS and the convertible version, and the three air intakes at the bottom of the front bumper do give the car a sporty look. The low driving position is also complemented by the alloy wheels that are included as standard, and the attractive leather interior completes the looks of this classy cruising convertible.

As well as the leather seats and alloy wheels, the 250C is also supplied with Bluetooth connectivity as standard. Luxuries such as the power heated seats can be particularly useful on cold mornings, and features such as the electric steering adjustment and the climate and cruise control do make the IS 250C a comfortable car to drive. The stereo system also comes with a multi CD player as standard, which is unusual even in cars of this standard.

Convertible cars are not normally the most practical of vehicles, as they are generally designed for people to use in good weather. However, the folding metal roof has certainly improved their security and practicality, and although legroom in the back is somewhat limited, the IS 250C can comfortably accommodate four people. Boot space is also reduced when compared with the saloon version, because of the extra space taken by the folding roof.

In terms of the safety that is provided by the IS 250C, it has the same range of airbags as the saloon version, apart from the curtain airbags that are normally mounted in the roof. It also shares the driving aids such as ESP, ABS and traction control to help keep the car stable and on the road. Lexus owners often rate the reliability as one of the best things about their cars, which is certainly reassuring for new owners.

The list price for the 250C SE-I is £36,780, which is admittedly quite a lot of money, even when compared with the basic models for some of the competition. In terms of the depreciation that people will experience when it comes to selling a 250C SE-I, this isn't too bad when compared with some other types of cars.

However, running the vehicle is likely to prove to be a significant expense, with the engine returning an average of 30.7mpg. The insurance group is also quite high, meaning that this will be another hefty expense in keeping the car on the road. One benefit of owning the car is that it does come with a three year warranty and breakdown recovery policy, which is fairly standard for convertibles in this class.