Good looks inside and out.
Respectable economy and hybrid feel-good factor.
Great customer service and certain reliability.
- Lexus IS300h awarded 5 Stars by NCAP: 91% adult occupant protection; 85% child occupant protection; 80% pedestrian protection and 61% 'safety assist'.
It’s only okay to drive in a class where exceptional is the norm.
The infotainment control is woeful.
No Apple CarPlay.
30-10-2014:
On a year old 11,700 mile Lexus IS300h Premier, the colour of the leather on the squab and backrest bolsters rubbed off after just 11,700 miles. Lexus said 'wear and tear'. Reader didn't think so.
13-07-2018:
Problems reported with hybrid battery system (or 12v battery) of 2014 Lexus IS300h, biught in March 2018 with 41,000 miles. After driving 800 miles to a desination in Spain, owner stopped for an hour and car refused to re-start. All systems had failed and the message on the instrument panel showed the hybrid battery was the reason. 15 minutes later it started. The car wasn't used again for a week. On return journey lights failed, then battery got low again during slow boarding of ferry back to UK. Car returned to dealer for testing.
18-10-2018:
Report from a reader that there is a service requirement to change the rear differential fluid in a Lexus IS300h every 20k miles and to change the CVT fluid every 40k miles. Yet his Lexus dealer told him they never change the diff fluid and don't change the CVT fluid until 60k miles.
02-11-2021:
Complaint of water ingress on 2015 IS300h. Water appears to be coming in from the rear window and leaking into the boot compartment. Dealer has suggested having the window seal renewed.
February 2013
Lexus IS revealed
All-new Lexus IS range launched UK summer 2013. Line-up includes the first full-hybrid IS, the IS 300h, together with the 2.5-litre petrol-powered IS 250. Both versions feature rear-wheel drive and will be available with a further evolution of Lexus’s F Sport package.
Lexus IS wheel and tyre sizes:
SE: 16-inch with 205/55 R16 tyres
Executive: 17-inch wheels with 225/45/R17 tyres
Sport: Front 18-inch with 225/40 R18 tyres; Rear 18-inch with 255/35 R18 tyres
The third generation IS benefits from Lexus’ new focus on a rewarding driving experience and bold design, featuring the signature spindle grille. Entry point to the new range is the SE, priced from £26,495 for the 2.5-litre IS 250, and £29,495 for the 2.5-litre full hybrid IS 300h. This model is generously specified, and includes the following specifications:
A range of options are available for New IS, giving owners a cost-effective way of adding items of specification that are important to them.
Black leather upholstery is available on Luxury and F Sport models. Pricing starts from £1,400 for 6 way adjustable leather seats with heater function (available on Luxury models only). F Sport customers can also specify 8 way adjustable leather seats with heater and ventilation functions for £2,300, in either black or dark rose leather. 7-inch HDD full map satellite navigation system featured as standard on Premier models is available as an option on the rest of the range for £1,995.
Premier models can be equipped with a sunroof for £1,000. Metallic or mica paint can be specified on all models for £610. SE, Luxury and Premier models are available in an 8 colour range: Velvet Black, Arctic Pearl, Satin Silver, Sonic Titanium, Mercury Grey, Mesa Red, Atlantic Blue and Celestial Black. F Sport models are available in F Sport White and Ultra Blue, colours that are unique to this model.
MODEL |
POWERTRAIN
|
OTR PRICE
|
TRANSMISSION
|
IS 250 SE |
2.5-litre V6 petrol
|
£26,495
|
6AT
|
IS 300h SE |
2.5-litre full hybrid
|
£29,495
|
E-CVT
|
IS 250 Luxury |
2.5-litre V6 petrol
|
£27,995
|
6AT
|
IS 300h Luxury |
2.5-litre full hybrid
|
£30,995
|
E-CVT
|
IS 250 F Sport |
2.5-litre V6 petrol
|
£30,495
|
6AT
|
IS 300h F Sport |
2.5-litre full hybrid
|
£33,495
|
E-CVT
|
IS 250 Premier |
2.5-litre V6 petrol
|
£35,495
|
6AT
|
IS 300h Premier |
2.5-litre full hybrid
|
£38,495
|
E-CVT
|
June 2013
'Advanced Technology Pack' at £1,540 offered on Premier spec versions of IS205 and IS300h. Consists of: Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS); Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Lane Departure Assist (LDA); Automatic High Beam (AHB).
April 2015
Lexus IS range update for Spring 2015. Keenly priced new Advance model introduced, with additional premium equipment features. Revised pricing structure results in savings of up to £1,745, and more competitive monthly PCP payments. Hybrid powertrain now EU6, yielding lower CO2 emissions (from 97g/km, one of the lowest levels in its class) and better fuel economy, which in turn contribute to reduced ownership costs.
The Lexus IS 300h Advance takes the existing Luxury grade as its starting point, adding the Lexus Navigation system, leather upholstery, heated/ventilated electrically adjustable front seats and a reversing camera to the specification. At the same time, the on-the-road price of £31,495 provides more than £3,000 of “complimentary” value to the customer in comparison to the Luxury grade. Othewise, spec matches Luxury grade in providing front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing HID headlights, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing wipers. PCP available through Lexus Connect offering monthly payments from £319 (42 months, 3.9 per cent APR representative).
MODEL |
ON-THE-ROAD PRICE* |
SAVING |
IS 300h SE |
£28,995 |
£500 |
IS 300h Executive Edition |
£29,995 |
n/a |
IS 300h Luxury |
£30,995 |
n/a |
IS 300h Advance |
£31,495 |
n/a |
IS 300h F Sport |
£32,495 |
£1,000 |
IS 300h Premier |
£36,750 |
£1,745 |
June 2015
Lexus IS 200t launched
Same engine as NX 200t, with 350Nm torque and 8-speed direct shift transmission. Acceleration from 0-62 in 6.3 seconds, tops out at 143mph, offers 39.2mpg claimed.
It also has an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission with paddle shifts originally developed for the RC F high-performance coupe. The rear-wheel drive IS 200t is the first Lexus saloon to vary gear shifting in line with G-forces.
The transmission automatically downshifts under hard braking on the approach to a corner, then hold a lower gear through the bend for best control, and then selects the most suitable gear on exit to give the driver greater throttle response.
December 2016
Improvements announced to Lexus IS range for 2017
Changes to the IS’s exterior styling focus on the car’s frontal appearance with new headlamps, larger and deeper air intakes integrated in the bumper and a further evolution of the signature Lexus spindle grille. Headlights, including new full LED units in a “triple-L” arrangement for the F Sport and Premier grade, have a more pronounced look, extending inwards and adding impact to the L-shaped daytime running lights.
Spindle grille angles back at a higher point than before, increasing area of the lower section.
On the F Sport the grille has a new jet black finish and mesh design that moves from an L to an F-shape pattern between the upper and lower sections. The lower brake ducts are wider at the base, tapering up each side of the grille. Vertical fins are incorporated in the ducts’ design.
Character line along the side of the car has been made stronger and at the rear chrome detailing has been added to the lower bumper panel. The rear lights have also been redesigned, with LED lamps and new light guides that create an L-shape motif.
Alloy wheels includes a new 17-inch design with a contrasting silver and machined finish for Executive Edition, Advance and Luxury grade, and new multi-spoke 18-inch rims for the IS Premier models.
Inside, the high-resolution multi-information screen that accompanies the Lexus Premium Navigation system has been increased from seven to 10.25 inches, presenting larger, clearer images and providing a split-screen function so that different information displays can be presented at the same time.
Stitching on the instrument binnacle hood has been changed and angle of the start button altered so it is easier to operate. Changes have also been made to the steering wheel, with new metal ornamentation, re-shaped switches and revised stitching that adds to its pleasing feel when gripped.
Thanks to a reduction in the width of the audio and ventilation control panels, driver and front passenger knee pads now run full length of the centre console. They have also been made thicker to provide extra cushioning, with new stitching additionally featured on F Sport and Premier models. There are also new cupholders, a satin finish for the gear lever, a larger, leather-wrapped and stitched palm rest for the Remote Touch Interface control, and new dial markings on the analogue clock.
A new laser-etched dark wood trim finish is featured on Premier grade models, a new Naguri machined-effect inlays for the F Sport with optional Premier Pack. New interior upholstery and colour choices, with combination fabric and Tahara seat coverings in black with Garnet Red detailing and black trim inlays for the IS 300h Sport. For the IS 300h Advance and Luxury there is a new Sandstone leather finish, with the Luxury versions also offering a warm metal inlay finish. Luxury and Premier models can be specified with new Noble Brown leather with Ivory accents.
The front double wishbone suspension has a new, more rigid, forged aluminium lower arm assembly together with more rigid bushing that bring no weight penalty and contribute to better steering response at cruising speeds. Changes have also been made to the coil spring and damper settings to gain better control and yaw response.
The rear multi-link suspension has also gained new bushing, a new anti-roll bar, new shock absorber components and revised damper settings. The electric power steering’s ECU settings have been reassessed and revised in order to achieve better steering control.
Both standard and F Sport IS models now demonstrate better ride quality, body control, rear wheel traction and straight-line stability, as well as better steering response and feedback.
The Lexus Safety System+ portfolio of advanced safety systems has been added as a standard equipment feature on all versions of the IS, apart from the entry-level IS 300h SE. Its features make use of camera and radar sensors to support the driver with improved information, better forward vision and prompt warnings of hazards and collision risks, together with an added layer of protection in the form of autonomous braking in an emergency situation.
The IS benefits from a Pre-Crash Safety system with pre-crash brake assist and pre-crash braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition.
In addition to Lexus Safety System+, the IS also gains a Sway Warning. This monitors the vehicle’s lane position and driver steering inputs, detecting any sway (deviations) that might be due to the driver losing concentration through tiredness or distraction. In such circumstances it will sound a buzzer and trigger a warning light in the multi-information display.
All models with Lexus Safety System+ are also equipped with a reversing camera.
The new IS triple-L LED headlights (F Sport and Premier models) offer better illumination performance than the high-intensity discharge units, with a forward reach of 15 metres – a 10 per cent improvement. The breadth of illumination is also wider by one metre to the left and right, compared to the HID headlights and fog lights working in combination.
MODEL |
OTR PRICE |
IS 300h SE |
£29,995 |
IS 300h Executive Edition |
£30,995 |
IS 300h Sport |
£31,495 |
IS 300h Advance |
£32,995 |
IS 300h Luxury |
£34.495 |
IS 300h F Sport |
£34,745 |
IS 200t Premier |
£37,995 |
IS 300h Premier |
£38,995 |
IS 200t F Sport + Premier Pack |
£38,995 |
November 2019
Limited edition IS F Sport 'I Blue' announced for 2020.
This is a reference to ai-iro, the centuries-old indigo plant dye that became known as “Japan blue”. The colour has great national significance, being featured on the strip of Japan’s football team and the official logo of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. More than 100 shades of ai-iro are recognised in Japan and in designing the interior of the new I Blue, Lexus chose kachi-iro to colour the wooden steering wheel trim – a good luck touch as kachi means “to win”. The blue theme is also applied to the panels around the window controls on the doors and inserts and stitching in the black and grey Tahara leather-like upholstery.
Choice of three exterior paint shades: Azure Blue, Sonic White and Graphite Black. 10-spoke 18-inch F Sport alloy wheels with a deep lustre finish, black door mirror casings, a gloss black spindle grille mesh and gloss black garnishes framing the fog light recesses in the front bumper. Equipment includes Lexus Premium Navigation with a 10-inch display, power-adjustable front seats with ventilation and a memory setting, and auto-folding and auto-dimming functions for the door mirrors.
Other F Sport-specific details are aluminium sports pedals and scuff plates, sports suspension and sports front seats. The limited edition model can also be specified with a Premium Pack that adds triple-LED headlights with Automatic High Beam, smart entry and start, reversing camera and steering wheel heater.
Elsewhere in the 2020 IS range there is another new colour option – Manganese Lustre – and a new Sport Pack option trim with Black and Noble Brown Tahara upholstery and black metal inlays.