Lexus IS 250 SE 4dr Car Review - February 2012

The engine is powerful enough for a good drive, and the snappy steering is very responsive and hits all of the corners as the driver intends. There is some road noise that makes it a little unrefined in the cabin, and the bouncy suspension does disrupt the normally classy experience of riding in a Lexus. The driving position is fine for shorter drivers, but taller drivers may feel that the position is a little bit high, even with the fully adjustable driver's seats in the car.

The IS does bridge the gap between executive saloon and sports car in terms of the performance of the vehicle, and the acceleration from 0-62mph is a brisk 8.5 seconds. When this is combined with a top speed of 140mph, the IS is a very good piece of motor engineering, and the logical layout behind the wheel means that people will be able to make the most of this car.

Lexus has always been a prestige brand that relies more on the luxury and the interior of the car rather than the exterior looks, but the IS is also quite a good looking car. The air intake and fog lights balance the front end of the car well, and the sleek lines do flow nicely into the back of the car which is slightly square, but this is typical of most saloon cars. The alloy wheels are included as standard, which does promote the look of a premium vehicle.

Even though this version of the IS is near the entry level of the vehicles, it still has a good range of equipment which is welcome. This includes the climate control and electric heated mirrors which are very useful, and the Bluetooth connectivity is also a welcome addition to the vehicle. Leather seats add to the level of comfort to be experienced in the IS. However, one rather hefty additional extra is satellite navigation, which is very expensive at an additional £2,400.

The IS saloon can comfortably accommodate four people, but the large transmission tunnel down the middle of the car means that a fifth passenger would certainly find it uncomfortable. The boot space is a little disappointing for quite a large car, but for the executive who is planning to use the car for long journeys, the comfort does mean that it would be practical in that situation.

Safety is certainly a priority for the IS, with ten airbags in place in the car to keep driver and passengers safe, and the driver aids are also in place to help keep the IS on the road. Lexus is known for making reliable vehicles, and the three year warranty is standard for cars in this class.

Although Lexus has got a reputation as a manufacturer of premium cars, the IS is actually quite competitively priced at £26,175. Comparable cars such as the BMW 3 series start at around the same prices, so the price is not as expensive as some might think.

In terms of the running costs for the IS, it is fair to say that owners will have to shell out to keep their's on the road, with the disappointing fuel performance only able to deliver an average 33.6mpg. Insurance costs are quite high, and depreciation is not as strong as it can be in other vehicles. The three year warranty and breakdown cover is about average for cars in this class.