Since 2001, the Lexus IS 300 has taken on the 3 Series with marginal success. Although it never really lit up the sales charts, the rear-wheel-drive IS 300 has earned a small but loyal -- and young -- following. When it came time to create the second generation of the IS, Lexus had to design a sedan with expanded performance and higher interior quality to combat the ever dominant competition. A tall order, but we think Lexus may have pulled it off. The new IS 350 sedan is larger, more luxurious and much more powerful than the previous generation Lexus car.
Since Lexus already had an excellent rear-drive platform in the recently redesigned GS, it became the starting point for the new IS 350. By carving out 4.7 inches of the GS's wheelbase and lopping off 4.4 inches of front and rear overhang, Lexus had the basic structure of the new IS. The GS's double-wishbone front and independent multilink rear suspension moves intact to the IS 350 and is retuned for the new application. The IS 300's straight six has been replaced by an all-aluminum 60-degree, DOHC, 24-valve V6. The 3.5-liter engine features VVT-i variable valve timing and offers 306 horsepower. Also coming from the GS is the suite of electronic technologies -- traction control, stability control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist -- that Lexus groups together as the "Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management" (VDIM for acronym lovers). VDIM is standard on the IS 350.
The VDIM system makes the Lexus IS 350 a truly fearless and capable high-speed conveyance, but the inability to disable it is troublesome; the system is intrusive enough to dull the pleasure of the car's outstanding engine, great chassis and spectacular brakes. If you prefer your sport sedans serene over spirited and unperturbed over unabashed, then the 2006 Lexus IS 350 could be your ideal car. But if visceral performance is more your thing, check out the 3 Series and G35 before putting your money on the table.
The Lexus IS 350 sedan comes in just one trim level. The standard features list includes keyless entry and ignition, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power doors and windows, cruise control, leather seating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a moonroof and a 13-speaker premium audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Options include a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, 18-inch wheels, 10-way power seats, a navigation system, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (which allows drivers to set a preferred interval between the IS and traffic ahead), rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers, corner-adaptive headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity and bi-HID headlights.
Safety equipment includes front and rear side curtain airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags. Also standard is the suite of electronic technologies -- traction control, stability control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, BrakeAssist and conventional antilock brakes -- that Lexus groups together as the "Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management" (VDIM). Optional is a Pre-Collision System (PCS) -- packaged with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control -- that uses a millimeter-wave radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car. If the computer determines that a collision is unavoidable it preemptively stiffens the suspension, retracts the front seatbelts and pre-initializes BrakeAssist so increased braking is applied the instant the brake pedal is depressed.
The new Lexus IS 350 boasts impressive interior materials, an attractive cabin design and plenty of luxury amenities. Everything from the soft-touch dash and door panels to the supple leather seats exudes high quality. Rear seating isn't as palatial; the wheelbase is 1.2 inches shorter than the new 3 Series and offers minimal rear legroom. If you regularly carry adults -- or even large children -- in the rear seat, they won't be happy back there.
With more than 300 hp, a great chassis and spectacular brakes, the 2006 Lexus IS 350 is an undeniable performance car. There's no discernable exhaust note, but it builds speed easily, the chassis is tenacious, and if there isn't going to be a manual transmission around, at least the paddles add some involvement to the driving experience. Still, there's so much technology aboard the Lexus car, the driver is too insulated from the experience. The biggest downer is the inability to disarm the VDIM system, which mutes the sedan's performance long before the limits of its chassis and tires are reached.
Some won't really admit there's any one car in their sights. Lexus, however, makes no bones about it, claiming the 2006 IS sedans are ''poised to disrupt the class performance hierarchy.'' Hmmm, who could they be talking about?
This is the second swing at BMW for the IS group, which hits the ground running with a redesigned model that is quicker, more nimble and offers better road feel. And it just happens to be longer, wider and roomier than the previous generation, which was launched in 2000.
So did Lexus slam one out of the park? Well, let's say it drove one out to the warning track.
The IS looks awfully familiar, especially from the side -- oh, yes, it resembles the BMW! But, in fairness, its good looks really stem from its own kin, the Lexus GS. The lines are smooth and its exterior fit is superb, nothing unusual for Lexus.
This car is hands-down better than the previous generation. It's 3.5 inches longer, 3 inches wider and it's roomier, including in the trunk.
On the road you'll discover a sport sedan that is quick and takes corners with minimal lean. However, overall performance offers some concerns if you're taking on the best of the class.
Steering is crisper -- and it even manages a tight 35-foot turning radius -- yet it doesn't offer quite the same feedback as the Bimmer, I'm afraid. And it is somewhat less agile on the twisty roads than that pesky 3.
Still, this is a ride to be reckoned with. An all-new suspension system (double wishbone in the front and multilink in the rear) gives the IS 350 a firm and stable feel, and stability control is standard here. For even sportier handling, try the performance suspension package that includes 18-inch wheels.
A 3.5-liter V-6 darts the top-of-the-line IS 350 -- very quietly, I might add -- to 60 mph in a mere 5.6 seconds. The quarter-mile takes only 14.2 seconds.
The entry IS 250 gets a smaller 2.5-liter, 204-hp V6 that does 0-60 in about 8 seconds.
The six-speed automatic is exceptional, shifting quickly and seamlessly through the curve. And paddle shifters on the steering wheel enable you to take over the responsibility if you like, though I found the paddle shifts tentative at best.
Surely, some will want the real shifter and, curiously, it is not available in the higher-end version, only in the 250.
Lexus is trying to push performance, isn't it? So what gives here?
Expect 20 mpg around town, and mid-20s on the highway. The 250 is EPA-rated at 24 and 32, with the automatic transmission. My combined figure was around 22.
From inside, the IS is as quiet as, well, a Lexus. The Japanese carmaker credits its rigid body and attention to the smallest details, even acoustic windshield glass and streamlined side-view mirrors.
The interior is plush; seats are supportive, and they are heated and cooled. But things are a bit snug in the IS. Anyone who can see the top of my head, at six-foot-one, might find legroom on the tight side. The footwell is less than generous, too.
Not much better in the rear. ''Can you move up just a little more, Dad?'' asked my five-foot-seven daughter, her knees against the seat back. Sure can, with 10-way power seats, I could easily find an adjustment that suited us both.
The IS has two cup holders, one of them is hidden in the center console. Just be careful not to spill the Pepsi on your cellphone!
Storage is scarce, and cargo volume is a pack-efficiently 13 cubic feet.
All will enjoy the sounds in the IS: A premium system offering 194 watts and 13 speakers is standard and could be the best sound system in the segment. It even has a mini-jack for iPod and MP3 players.
An upgrade bumps up to a Mark Levinson Surround Sound, which puts out 300 watts, adds one more speaker and includes a subwoofer. Turn up Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven and bask in musical perfection.
Lexus' safety package includes knee air bags along with the front, side and side-curtain air bags.
IS buyers have three choices: the 250 with the 2.5-liter engine, the 250 all-wheel-drive version with paddle shifters and the top-line IS 350 with the more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic transmission.
The MSRP for the 350 is $35,440. The tester, with 18-inch alloy wheels and navigation system ($2,550), came in at $39,494.
Check the rear-view mirror, Bimmer: The IS 350 is gaining ground. While it may still be in the rear-view mirror on performance, it is much improved over the previous generation and worth every minute of your time in the showroom.
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