Lexus IS F (2008 – 2012) Review
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Lexus IS F (2008 – 2012) At A Glance
Thunderous performance from V8 engine yet docile at low speeds, high quality cabin, well equipped as standard, understated looks.
Hard ride especially on uneven roads, not as involving as other top performance saloons.
Lexus is probably better known for comfortable, big four-door saloons and hybrids rather than performance cars but that was before the Lexus IS F came along. It may be based on the rather ordinary IS saloon, but it's a world away from an executive four-door with a thundering 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces more than 400bhp and delivers a 0-62mph time of less than 5.0 seconds.
This puts it up against some serious competitors in the high performance saloon market. There's the unbelievably quick Mercedes C-Class AMG and of course the renowned BMW M3, both of which have a much stronger heritage than the Lexus when it comes to performance cars. The Lexus is close to its rivals when it comes to straight-line pace, but it can't quite match them for driving enjoyment, lacking in that all important 'feelgood factor' you want if you're spending this much on a car.
That said, it's superbly engineered, just as you'd expect from Lexus while standard equipment levels are generous too - although they should be given the list price of more than £55,000. In 2010 the model was revised with an updated sat nav system along with a new optional white leather interior. A limited slip differential is now also available, improving traction.
Reviews for Lexus IS F (2008 – 2012)'s top 3 rivals
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Lexus IS F (2008 – 2012) handling and engines
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 20–29 mpg
The IS F uses a 5.0-litre V8 powerplant to produce an impressive 417bhp along with 505Nm of torque so its performance is pretty quick as you'd imagine. To get from stationary to 62mph takes just 4.8 seconds making this the most powerful and quickest Lexus ever produced - in fact it's as quick as an M3 saloon manual and only a fraction slower than the DCT automatic version.
What's impressive is how docile the engine is at low speeds. It's as easy to drive in town as any other petrol Lexus and at first you do wonder where all the performance is hidden. However, this high-revving engine has been designed to be driven at high revs and this is there it comes into life. Once you push it above around 3500rpm it changes character dramatically and feels every inch the performance car with storming acceleration that seems to go on forever.
That 417bhp peaks at a high 6,600rpm so you do have to rev the engine to tap into its maximum performance, however with so much torque on tap, that rarely happens as the IS F pulls so strongly in gear. The eight-speed automatic gearbox may seem a little overblown, after all what's wrong with six-speeds, but it actually works well and doesn't feel the need to 'hunt' for gears like some automatics can. It also blips the throttle when you change down a gear, which is a nice touch and means you can enjoy the great engine sound a bit more.
There's a sports switch which has various modes including Normal or Snow setting. In Sports the engine holds revs higher before changing up and shifts down sooner when the revs drop. In Snow mode the opposite happens while Normal is a compromise between the two. Ride comfort isn't great though, although it rarely is on high performance saloons like this - it's stiff as you'd expect and struggles with uneven surfaces or road imperfections
So while the IS F is quick in a straight line and sounds great, it's not as exhilarating to drive as a car like this should be. Have no doubt - it handles very well with great body control in tight bends thanks to lowered sports suspension and masses of grip but it's the steering which lets it down. The electric power steering system lacks feel, so although it's very precise and responsive, you don't feel especially engages from behind the wheel in the same was as a BMW M3 for example. The newer model from 2010 comes with a limited slip differential which helps prevent wheelspin and improves traction, especially in corners. However, economy is still fairly poor with an average claimed figure of only 24.8mpg.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS F | 24 mpg | 4.8 s | 270 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Lexus IS F (2008 – 2012)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
98%
Real MPG
20–29 mpg
MPGs submitted
12
Lexus IS F (2008 – 2012) interior
- Boot space is 378 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4660 mm |
| Width | 1815 mm |
| Height | 1415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2730 mm |
Like the standard IS, the cabin of the IS F is pretty sombre. It's a shame Lexus hasn't more of the performance edge of the car inside as aside from a few badges and extra bits of trim, it looks like a normal IS, not exactly what you'd want in a £50,000 plus high performance saloon. Build quality is good though and the high-quality Lexus finish is evident everywhere such as the black semi-aniline leather upholstery with blue accents and the black roof lining.
The F logo is incorporated in the side of the seat cushions while the seats themselves are upholstered in a combination of perforated leather for the centre part of the cushion, seatback and shoulder area, with smooth leather for the headrests and side section, giving it a real premium feel. The front seats are eight-way electrically adjustable with power lumbar support and memory settings plus the bolsters have been increased in size to give extra lateral support suitable for high performance driving.
Sporting details extend to silver carbon fibre-effect finish around the gear shift, aluminium pedals and a three-spoke steering wheel finished in perforated leather with the F logo in a blue section at the base. It's nice but not quite enough. However, the speedometer and tachometer have blue LED-lit needles and the instrument cluster includes additional voltage and oil temperature gauges. The display also gains an indicator lamp to show when the car's control systems are in Sport mode.
Standard equipment from launch (April 2008):
IS F equipment levels mirrors that of the IS SE-L grade, with the addition of adaptive cruise control and Pre-Crash Safety plus a Multimedia Pack as standard. The Multimedia Pack comprises a 14-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system with six-DVD autochanger, 5.1 surround sound, Bluetooth, satellite navigation and rear park assist monitor, with functions operated through a central full-colour monitor with touch-screen controls. For the 2010 model year, the audio system is DAB-ready for receiving digital radio transmissions, and a USB input jack is provided. The navigation is via a new HDD (hard disc drive) with 40GB capacity. The HDD also provides an on-board "sound library" function, letting the owner transfer and store music files from CD up to 10GB capacity. The exterior and interior design includes a number of sports-themed features, including a bootlid spoiler, quad tailpipes and semi-aniline black leather upholstery with blue highlights. The 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels are reserved for the IS F, with a mesh design wheel added as a no-cost option for the 2010 model year. Also new for 2010 is a white leather interior option, available at no extra cost.
Lexus IS F (2008 – 2012) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4660 mm |
| Width | 1815 mm |
| Height | 1415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2730 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1730 kg |
| Boot Space | 378 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £58,416 |
| Insurance Groups | 44 |
| Road Tax Bands | M |
| Official MPG | 24.4 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 5 |
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| F 4dr Auto | £58,416 | 24.4 mpg | 4.8 s |
Model History
April 2008
Lexus IS F was launched in the UK
It's powered by a performance tuned 5.0-litre V8 engine. Featuring specially engineered heads fed by a two-stage intake system, it produces 400+ horsepower and more than 500Nm of torque. The IS F engine is mated to the world's first eight-speed automatic gearbox. A new torque-converter lock-up control was developed that allows for impressive acceleration and a direct, crisp gear change through the constant lock-up of the torque converter except in first gear. A 0-60mph time in less than 4.9 seconds is predicted.
In Drive mode, the IS F transmission performs with typical Lexus smoothness, but this unique transmission also features an advanced Manual mode operated via a pair of paddles located within a fingertip's reach behind the steering wheel. These enable the driver to make ultra-fast up-shifts within a tenth of a second. Downshifts are accompanied by automated and incredibly precise throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed.
The attention to performance extends to a modified suspension that lowers the entire car by an inch when compared to IS models equipped with 18-inch wheels. This specially modified suspension allows for an enthusiastic driving sensation. The IS-F also features an all-new three-mode version of Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. In addition to the Normal mode, the new VDIM features a Sport mode that allows the driver to push the car even further before its braking, throttle and steering control systems kick in. The third VDIM system mode is Off, which gives the driver unassisted control to enjoy the IS-F to its ultimate level of handling performance.
Attention to performance is complemented by modified styling cues that differentiate the IS-F from the standard IS. Lexus engineers provided the IS-F with a dual-exhaust system and quad-tail pipes, wider front wings with highly distinctive vents behind the front wheel, as well as a larger grille and rear spoiler. Both the bonnet and lower air intake were enlarged to accommodate and cool the V8 engine.
March 2010
Upgraded Lexus IS F gets a new limited slip differential. Fitted as standard, it gives the IS F significantly better traction and stability in high-speed cornering. The Torsen unit is robust enough to handle the 505Nm delivered by the IS F's 5.0-litre V8 engine, automatically directing drive torque to the rear wheel with the most grip. Out-and-out performance is unchanged, with the IS F capable of nought to 62mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds and a top speed (electronically limited) of 168mph.
In keeping with Lexus reputation for effective use of advanced technologies, the IS F is fitted with a new satellite navigation system, powered by a 40GB hard disc drive (HDD). It is one of the fastest-responding and most accurate guidance systems on the market, giving full-map coverage across Europe, with automatic links to local traffic information data to ensure efficient route planning. The HDD also provides an on-board "sound library" function, with 10GB of disc space available for owners to store tracks from CD - space enough for around 2,000 songs.
The IS F can be ordered with a new white leather interior in place of the standard black finish and with new mesh-design 19-inch alloy wheels instead of the standard 10-spoke design. Both are no-cost options.
September 2010
The IS F was revised for 2011 with some minor changes. The principal difference is that the 417bhp 5.0-litre V8 engine has been brought in line with Euro 5 emissions standards, a task accomplished without impacting on its performance. The IS F, equipped with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission, maintains its 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 4.8 seconds and 168mph (electronically limited) top speed while CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are unaffected.
For 2010 the car's handling and stability were enhanced with the addition of a limited slip differential and in the latest raft of engineering adjustments, the front and rear coil springs and shock absorbers have been revised to improve ride comfort. The rear suspension geometry has also been tweaked to gain greater stability under higher loads when accelerating, braking and cornering. The result is all-round advances in damping control, cornering stability and steering response.
The IS F's high intensity discharge (HID) headlights are now paired with new LED daytime running lights, configured to echo Lexus's signature arrowhead styling motif. In the cabin the instrument binnacle has been redesigned, placing the tachometer and gear shift indicator in the centre of the display. New dark silver carbon fibre-style trim details have also been added. The 2011 IS F is on sale at £57,105 on the road.
