2014 Lexus IS Review and Track Test (IS 250, IS 350 and F-Sport models)

[@MrFullback100]

Another good review by Alex. I like his review because he touches on prices and reliability when he sums up his reviews unlike most online/magazine reviews. Price and reliability are the two most important factors which are downplayed a lot.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It's nearly 50/50 in the IS250 F-Sport, jumping up to nearly 54% in the front for the IS350 AWD. This is inline with BMW. The 328i is the only 3 series with a perfect 50/50 balance and one you get up to the 335 with xDrive you're at 53% front. As a side note, the 320i is an interesting car for BMW because it's 49.9% up front and 50.1% in the rear.

[@tom11zz884]

BMW's tend to fall apart after their warranties expire.

[@kerrmanpardo2725]

tom11zz884 very very true.😌😞👎🏼

[@playboy106]

THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST REVIEW VIDEOS I HAVE EVER WATCHED and I've watched PLENTY!

[@JJClassof12]

2001 IS300 owner I still love driving my Lexus. 1st year, 1st GEN IS owner it's come a long way and I'm thrilled!! Lexus gives its all year after year, always improving you have to love that.

[@barrybenjamin3532]

Nice review, Alex. Really like how you take in a lot of factors and don't just throw out #'s. Always better to hear a qualitative assessment rather than a quantitative one. If I were in the market for a sport sedan the IS would be high on the list, and above its German competitors. Glad I stumbled on your channel.

[@chamjini75]

This was one of the best reviews on youtube! Keep up the good work guys

[@RealtimeReviews613]

This guy has the most DETAILED and meticulous reviews! He ACTUALLY knows his shit and isn't afraid to kneel down on the pavement and get a little dirty to show us the details. Mad probs!!!

[@f32440i]

I think this guy provides the most informative and detailed reviews on the web. Keep up the good work my friend.

[@boombox9885]

Best test drive/review of the Lexus IS 2014 I've seen so far. Thanks

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Oops, you are correct, I misread the technical documents. Only the F-Sport 350 has the Sport + mode. Lexus does make changes mid-year on occasion, so you should always check with the dealer to see if Lexus has done anything different.

[@afa6361]

Very good and fair review. Probably one of the few people who speaks about reliability in the reviews.

[@ridgezero]

The detail in this review is awesome!

[@monsterzx6rr85]

Great review! The stock exhaust sounds really good too.

[@jtstar10]

Excellent review, both in objective analysis and camera work. A good point you made is that most drivers are not driving on the track, which makes this car the ideal mix of luxury, sport, comfort and reliability. This review makes me want to consider this as my next car. I currently drive a C class, which is pretty awesome in it's own right.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

There was very little tire slip in the IS350 when 0-60 testing and we did note that the 2014 was slower than the 2013 IS350. We do not have an explanation for this delta other than the car tested was a pre-production prototype. In the models Lexus provided (they provided a 335i to test) the BMW was 8/10ths faster to 60 which is a significant number. On the track the BMW's trap speeds were considerably higher in the straights. The Lexus is the better handling and better feeling sedan however.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Those are the standard rims on that model as I recall. You can hop over to Lexus' website for up to date details on options since things weren't 100% firm when this video was shot and some of the cars we were driving were pre-production models that were not "production correct" (That's Lexus-speak) meaning they may have had parts jumbled together on one car.

[@TheFremster]

Alright. Thanks for the reply. You're the only person to respond to my question and I love that. Great channel and great content!

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The Q50 is very high on the list and it should happen before the end of the year.

[@JRDNGIXX]

Gorgeous design inside and out. Lexus dealer here we come to bring one home!

[@kr8814]

did you ever buy one?

[@solovinojuntoseva8463]

Wonderful review! Thank you so much. Bonus points on comparing the IS and Sport versions. Really insightful to know the differences.

[@DisneyMusicVideos]

I own a 2017 IS200t F-sport (gray with red interior) & its been an excellent car so far & a big improvement over my previous 2015 Toyota Camry XSE V6.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The shortest way around a track is usually the fastest. As a result most racing instructors will tell you to use the whole track when it makes sense including running over the red/white portions you see in the video.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

That is what we were told by Lexus. However since these were pre-production cars you can always check with Lexus to see if there were any last minute changes for the American market.

[@bgreenjr7149]

Another great video Alex! You are my favorite auto reviewer.

[@ironhide959]

Your reviews are great, detailed and in-depth. I enjoy them a lot!keep it up!

[@nikkamock]

Now that's how you do a f****ng review. Extremely well done. That's excellence in action...

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

All F-Sport models get Sport+ according to the Lexus documentation we have. The 250 F-Sport does get the LFA instrument cluster and the red interior.

[@ironchopsticks]

This man has the gift of gab. Thumbs up

[@TheFremster]

Because of this review, I am going to get an IS. Going next month, hopefully, to get the IS250 F Sport (IS350 F Sport was too expensive). Thank you for putting out this very detailed review!

[@appplezz101]

I like the way the is looks its unique and sets it aside from the other competitors especially the front end

[@firianto]

As always Alex - awesome review. Having have both the Bimmer and Lexus - thanks for reminding that although the BMW is the ultimate driving machine, it can't beat Toyota in term of reliability.

[@aamirnaim3885]

I love the shape!

[@kaveman5800]

Thank you so much for the very articulate review. I don't think you could go wrong with either the 335 or the 350.

[@myfastgti07]

Im going to wait 2 years for this one

[@finwerkz]

Thanks for a great all round review even to talking about reliability/ownership costs. When you factor in the latter on many euro models the Lexus really stacks up!

[@djhuab]

Love your videos. Top quality material.

[@alexdykes]

The problem is how the IS350's horses are delivered and the torque is a huge factor. In our instrumented testing the IS350 got to 60 in 5.6 while the 335 did it in 4.8 (much lower than BMW's quoted numbers.) It is worth nothing that MotorTrend's comparison resulted in similar number, so it wasn't just us. The reason is the turbo charged engine in the BMW. Turbos tend to create torque and HP "plateaus" instead of peaks which has a big impact on the numbers.

[@AviationDirection]

You mentioned no fog lamps in the US market, but in the grill comparison @ 2:35 the IS250 did have fog lamps. Is this because the IS250 was also pre-production?

[@iridius001]

Best review / thank you! I'm seriously considering this car after this

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Our hope is soon, we understand that there will be an invite only press event in July(ish). Stay tuned to see if we're on the list!

[@xorencryption]

I just subscribed to your channel and do appreciate the professional detailed reviews. keep up the good work.

[@ThePharm4Life]

that's what makes your videos great. keep up the good work. subbed. :)

[@1tmac4life]

@ROB NAVAEI its a sports sedan, its not trying to be a full on sports car. For that they made the coupe version the rc-f and rc-f 350.

[@Berettadv]

Very nice review this is how they should be done!

[@kimshin78]

Best review I ever seen

[@tyranelewis6936]

I agree with Dave Dunn. My girlfriend keeps trying to talk me into the Lexus. She has been a Lexus lover and I a German car lover. Since her suggestion I have been researching the IS 350 F sport. (IS 250 6 cyl is too weak in power and torque for the money) 2015 VW GTi has more power and torque. but his review is making me look more at IS 350 F Sport.

[@bolka777]

Excellent review!

[@ExpSystem]

Very nice review!!!

[@cristiancaraballo417]

@ Mark Alolo yes, lexus is releasing new engine as of next year, these 14 ISs kept the previous IS engines but they will be replaced soon. Lexus announced the new engines earlier this year and they will focus in offering more performance in the F sport trim. There will be a V6 mated to a 6spd manual capable of over 330 hp to be offered in the fsports

[@boombox9885]

Thank you for the in-depth answer regarding 50/50 weight-specs.

[@kenmasters007]

10:00 8/10 trunk comfort score... for the Mofia segment.. great review.

[@iridius001]

hey that's actually a great idea! i'd love to see the two present together

[@Vap3]

great review! so informative!

[@KaoSaeteurn]

great reviews!

[@AppleMacusa]

excellent insight and commentary! thx!

[@Wtrxprs007able]

yeah. a lot of Toyotas and Lexus' had a 'recall nightmare' in 2009-2010 even on their most cared about cars. after they got a new boss, the grandson of the company's founder, he had to deal with all the trouble but he got the company back on track

[@ssisakl]

Great detailed review! i think the IS does make a compelling competitor to the 3 series but a lot of poeple does not like the look especially if u don't go for F sport styling. I actually prefer the look of last gen IS, it was the best looking car in it's class at its time. I think the biggest let down of new IS is it's transmission, 6 speed is just not good enough. However the same thing cant be said to the engine as both the engine choice are extremely refined and 2.5V6 equals to a 328i

[@seanwang8665]

I love how you have to curl up in that trunk in every review. Excellent review though, as always.

[@x7H3]

Thank goodness you can fit a body in the back

[@GuoWeiErn]

agreed. one of the most detailed reviews about this car i ve seen. thank for the same. and as davewhodavedunn has put it, it seems that this guy knows what hes talking about and isnt afraid to speak the truth.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Engine sharing is very common, pretty much every car maker has a longer production cycle for drivetrain parts than chassis and platform parts so you find this in most cars. At least Lexus tossed in new transmissions.

[@claus1225]

i remember driving my ex's ES once, it was as soft as tofu. i had an 2009 IS and it was still tofu, just extra hard sofa.

[@eulluisgtr34]

True. I wish they should of done a better job with the navigation. The recall ranges from 2006-2010 for the gs300 and is250. I hope they come out with the turbo 4 already.

[@1Supra910]

very good review thank you.

[@insidertrading1]

Great review...the Lexus stereos are indeed distracting

[@hugocervantes41]

haha the trunk comfort lol wtf

[@keino111689]

@ 5:02, I noticed all the extra space around the 7 inch nav display. Are there other notifications that pop-up in those corners or is that just a waste of space? I just think there is a lot of space to make that screen into a windscreen display. It look so much better.

[@chigasaki06]

The moment the Q50 is available, please review it. Particularly the Q50AWD, and the Hybrid.

[@eulluisgtr34]

Most cars that get traded-in with so called "performance mods" are sent to auctions/wholesale because people will complain about drive-ability and warranty issues. .Putting an aftermarket suspension and rims affects your alignment, premature and abnormal tire wear. I doubt it helps in performance but only reduces ride comfort which would defeat the purpose of having a sport luxury car. ECU tune has to be done regularly on a dyno or else the car will run rich and have engine knock codes.

[@prototypeglory]

Great review. I would love to see you do a joint review with Cooley

[@bloodz0r]

great review thx

[@RocketGuy3]

Yes, the 335 does have a flatter, wider torque curve, which is nice for the street, but on the track where you spend most of your time in the upper end of the rev range, it doesn't matter very much. That is also an extraordinarily slow 0-60 for the IS. I remember when the 2nd gen came out, most mags were recording times from 4.9 to 5.3. I wonder if they 3rd gen comes with worse rubber and/or if it got heavier in the wrong places... Still I think you were exaggerating the power difference.

[@RocketGuy3]

The F-Sport has significant chassis upgrades and aesthetic changes... Although it does seem a little pricey for what you get.

[@sign05]

Road and track clock the 2007 IS 350 doing 0-60 in 4.8 1/4 mile at 13.5 seconds and the 2008 BMW 335i at 4.8 seconds 1/4 mile at 13.4 seconds.

[@Em12k]

i would rather purchase one of the pre production models. they have more small details, but hey the small things count the most :) cool video thank you!

[@75lexluther]

lexus has came a long way but i like old school even though new lexus are bigger

[@mizan1030]

excellent job!

[@doomtomb3]

They have to focus on different aspects of the car since cars are so complicated these days. Engines get refreshed every few years when there is actually new tech to put in there.

[@wudi911]

can't wait till tom's get their hand on one of these.

[@jabroni6199]

So the 335 doesn't feel as confidant as the IS but the feel in the 335 is more confidant? Makes sense. (12:10-12:35)

[@Em12k]

im loving the pre production cars!! they look soo good!!do they sell to public?

[@nischintr]

Could you do a more comprehensive review just on the IS 350 F-Sport model on road and a review of their infotainment system?

[@drm0161]

best car reviews

[@TheFremster]

I have a question about the IS. Which model has the Sport+ mode? Is it only on the RWD IS350 F Sport? Also, does the 250 F Sport have the LFA Instrument Cluster and does it come in red interior? Sorry for the long question. Just really curious about this car and not many people have responded to me.

[@77rxpharmacy]

In my experience, you need to keep a car for at least 5 years to completely understand it. Unfortunately many people do not get to this point in the driver-to-car relationship cycle because they leased their car or they bought it and traded it for a different car.

[@boombox9885]

Does the car feature an automated service reminder like for example BMW's?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Depending on how pre-production the car is, they may not be able to be sold to the public. Often cars of this sort live out their lives with the press or Lexus employees and are then destroyed.

[@vtec407]

Awesome design. Looking into the IS350 or 370z as my next ride.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I was in a busy parking lot. Needless to say that people look at you very strangely when you hop in a trunk and close the lid...

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I feel cheated. Who else stole our idea for the exclusive Trunk Comfort Index?

[@Illmatic662]

Any idea on when you guys will get to test the 2014 Q50?

[@Sergio-rv5ei]

Have only 3 day and I'm loving it

[@budman62]

Doesn't the 335i X-Drive also hold a heftier price tag as well once you load it? Doesn't the IS pan out slightly cheaper when adding all the packages?

[@TheFremster]

I noticed though in the video, you mentioned that the model you were in at about 5:24 was the IS250 F Sport. You said that the current model you were in doesn't come with the Sport+ mode. Was that because it was a pre-production model?

[@Kyle-qn6ot]

This car is spectacular! In all aspects of value for money, it blows other competitors out of the water. You don't get these kind of options/quality/reliability anywhere else for the money. All the negative I hear about this car is with regards to fuel consumption/engine...if you are so concerned with the fuel consumption of the Lexus V6 engine over the other competitors' 4-Cyl turbos, you probably shouldn't be buying a luxury sedan if you can't afford another $500/$1000 a year, stick to a Honda or Kia.

[@baseline4102]

thats right good point

[@crashero]

Or get a bmw that is faster and provides better mpg ;)

[@AviationDirection]

Agreed, especially with the interior! Go 2nd Gen!

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

And you would know that how?

[@InfamousPR]

Those who are bashing on this car are clearly Ford, GM & Chevy owners who still think we are still living in the muscle car era. Driving a Mustang or a Camaro is no longer cool!

[@hmongsunglass8981]

Yet again, another great review. As far as the car goes. Toyota is going to loose a lot of customer with that design right off the top.