Lexus IS Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

in Car Comparisons
Red Lexus IS

Source: Flickr

The Lexus IS is a luxury sedan option with gorgeous styling and more power than many similar iterations of the vehicle on the market. It’s appealing to those who want style and power, but it’s vital not to rush into things. Before making a final selection on your vehicle, it’s crucial to consider the significant Lexus IS pros and cons.

If you’re ready to understand the best and worst aspects of the Lexus IS, you’re in the right place. The more familiar you are with the well-rounded image of the Lexus IS, the easier it will be to determine if it’s for you. Keep reading to learn more about what we enjoy in the Lexus IS and what we don’t love as much.

Lexus IS Pros: What We Love

From the comfortable ride to the impact protection, there are many enjoyable features in this car. Let’s discuss some of the best of the Lexus IS pros and cons many drivers will love.

Pro: Comfortable Ride

First, we love the comfort offered to riders in the Lexus IS. Even though the vehicle tends to be on the smaller side, the designers chose to make an upscale cabin that will have individuals forgetting where they are. Those in the front will be comfortable with contoured seats in many models and excellent room for your legs.

If you upgrade to the Premium version of the Lexus IS in some models, you will gain access to additional features like heating and cooling for the front seats and power-adjustable dynamics. Also, the vehicle looks incredible on the inside - accents of leather and unique colors pull everything together with ease. 


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Pro: Solid Performance

The performance of the Lexus IS is desirable, which is tricky to say for many luxury vehicles on the market. Many versions of the Lexus IS come with a V6 powertrain, which allows the car to kick into gear and hit around 311 horsepower with a simple press of the gas pedal on the road. It’s an exciting performance from a smaller vehicle.

The additional power from the Lexus IS makes it far easier to pass cars on the highway or merge by kicking them into high gear. In the 2022 version of the vehicle, the Lexus IS 350 is recorded to have gone from 0-60 MPH in a mere 5.6 seconds. 

Pro: Desirable Safety Features

Next, we love the safety features laid out in the Lexus IS. It is built with a design that has the driver and passengers in mind, made to keep everyone as safe as possible on the road. Also, most of the best active safety features come standard so you don’t have to worry about paying more for an upgrade. 

Some features that come standard in several models of the Lexus IS include a pre-collision warning system, active dynamic cruise control, and a blind-spot monitor. These, and more, will stop accidents from happening and keep you in one piece as you travel from one spot to the next.

Pro: Excellent Impact Protection 

Finally, on top of the many standard safety features in the Lexus IS is excellent impact protection. At least in the newer versions of the vehicle, Lexus has done their best at building a shell that will withstand wavy blows from other vehicles on the road. The newer versions have five-star ratings from the government.

Not only will the design help keep a rollover accident at bay, but it will also reduce the crumple zone if the vehicle is smashed. Parents and spouses worried about their loved ones can rest easy with the impact protection of the Lexus IS.


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Though several drivers swear by the brand, those looking into the brand as their next vehicle wonder, “are Lexus cars reliable?”


Lexus IS Cons: What We Dislike

Unfortunately, items like a lack of a diesel option pull the Lexus IS back. Let’s mention some of the worst of the Lexus IS pros and cons.

Con: Lacking Infotainment Usage Ability

Unfortunately, the infotainment system in the Lexus IS is lacking in the user experience department. While there is ample technology to enjoy, not everyone will be a fan of how Lexus chose to make the features accessible.

For example, many of the models have a controller that resembles a touchpad on a laptop, which can take some time to get used to. The graphics and very laggy touch response can also be an irritation in a car that is otherwise very upscale and fancy.  

Con: Limited Rear Space

The cargo hold is seriously lacking in the Lexus IS, which will prove problematic for those who want to go on extended road trips with their family. Most versions of the Lexus IS have no more than 10-12 cubic feet of room with the seats folded up.

Folding the seats does mean you can fit more cargo, but it removes available seats for people. It’s a problematic machine because space matters and you need to carry many objects and people at one time. 

Con: Rear Legroom Could Be Better

As is the issue with many small vehicles, there is a lack of adequate rear passenger space for individuals in the back of the car. This issue is most specific to the legroom, as passengers will have little room to stretch out on longer trips. 

If you want to fit anyone larger than children and small adults in the rear, you should upgrade to a different system. There are Lexus accommodations that can handle adults in the back, but it isn’t the IS. 

Should You Get a Lexus IS?

We mentioned some of the most significant Lexus IS pros and cons. Now, it’s time for one final question - should you invest in the Lexus IS?

If you care about the usability of technology and want more room for passengers and cargo, it might be good to look elsewhere. However, the Lexus IS will be an incredible choice for those who love a comfortable, solid ride with excellent safety features and impact protection built into the intricate luxury system.


ARE LEXUSES GOOD CARS?

Do the numbers and data back up this record? We’ll do a deep dive to seek an answer to the “are Lexus good cars?” question.



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