2012 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: Video Road Test & Review

The Lexus IS is the luxury car company's answer to the entry-level German luxury sedans that have traditionally dominated the market.  One of the most dynamically rewarding entries in the automaker's lineup, the Lexus IS also represents an affordable starting point on the Lexus ladder.  The IS is an extremely safe automobile, coming with side curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags and forward airbags along with electronic traction control, stability control, and the Lexus Safety Connect telematics system.

The Lexus IS comes in both sedan and convertible editions.  The base Lexus IS 250 sedan (MSRP $33,795) features a sunroof, dual automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, leather seats with power adjustment, and 17-inch wheels.  Moving up to the IS 350 sedan (MSRP $40,220) comes with an almost identical level of equipment, but substitutes a larger engine under the hood.  The Lexis IS 350 C ($MSRP $46,640) introduces a retractable steel roof.

A number of packages can be ordered to further customize the Lexus IS.  The Premium package adds heated and ventilated seats along with maple interior trim, while the Navigation System package includes a voice-controlled nav system and the Lexus Enform telematics service.  The Navigation System / Mark Levinson Premium Audio System package bundles surround sound audio with the contents of the Navigation package, while the Luxury Plus Value Edition package enhances Premium package features with HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers, memory seats and power tilt and telescoping steering.

The Lexus IS 250 is outfitted with a 2.5-liter V-6 engine that can be relied on to produce 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque.  A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the IS 250, a six-speed automatic is available, and fuel economy is rated at 21-mpg city and 29-mpg highway.  The IS 350 features a 3.5-liter V-6 that is good for 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque while returning fuel mileage figures of 19-mpg around town and 27-mpg highway.  Transmission options for the IS 350 are limited to a six-speed automatic, but all-wheel drive is available with either edition of the sedan.  Convertibles are rear-wheel drive only.

A list of cars similar to the IS 350 includes the 2012 BMW 3 Series, 2012 Mercedes Benz C Class and 2012 Audi A4.

See more details about the 2012 Lexus IS 350 F Sport.