2014 Lexus IS Video Car Review

And now for something completely different from Lexus: The 2014 IS. The IS has been Lexus’ entrant in the very competitive compact luxury sedan market where such models as the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class compete. In its previous incarnations, the IS has proven to be a very capable competitor, but it wasn’t the sales success the brand wanted. With the new, third-generation IS, Lexus hopes to gain a larger slice of the compact luxury market.

The 2014 IS is completely new inside and outside. The exterior is a bit of a departure from previous-generations of IS with the new model wearing a more aggressive design. Up front, the IS has the most aggressive version of the brand’s spindle grille. There is also a unique set of headlights and a set of LED lights right below it. The side profile has sharp body lines and embellished wheel arches. In the back, the trunklid is shaped in such a way to help with the aerodynamics. Inside, the IS takes some design cues from the LF-A supercar with its mix of leather and metal trim throughout and similar center stack design.

Power comes from two different V6 engines,

• 2.5L V6: 204 horsepower, 185 pound-feet of torque
• 3.5L V6: 306 horsepower, 277 pound-feet of torque

The IS 250 comes equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the IS 350 gets an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available on both models and get a six-speed automatic.

One other item of note for the 2014 Lexus IS is the new F-Sport package. The F-Sport package adds a mesh grille, more aggressive wheels, sport seats, an LF-A inspired gauge cluster, and a sport-tuned suspension. IS 350 F-Sport models also get a Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).

Pricing for the 2014 Lexus IS start at $34,950 for the base IS 250 and climbs up to $39,465 for the IS 350.