2017 Lexus IS review from Family Wheels

The Lexus IS is a small, sporty sedan that's packed with some solid performance. But is it big enough car for our family-oriented car reviews? Take a look.
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[@Kim-pd8ro]

I'm in NY and traded my Bmw E92 M3 into Lexus Is300 F this year. I don't understand those people who complain about the power. Are you guys race everyday or you guys drive in German? Come on, it's speed limited and potholes everywhere and you don't even use 50% of the horse power in daily life. Of course my new Is is not as fast as my M3 but it's quick enough for my daily use.

[@IgorOrlic]

I'm quite taken aback by negative comments about this car. According to my research, Lexus customer service is the best, top three, reliability is better than with German cars. As I sat in F-Sport version, I was extremely impressed. The way it's been put together gave me a very reassuring feeling I never had before with any car, including latest German offerings. Everything is so solid, well built and put together. I love the matte interior around buttons as I find shiny plastic somewhat kitschy. Just how about Mark Levinson audio! Sublime. I think this car rivals German offerings easily. Perhaps not in the connectivity department but in everything else. That said, IS350 would be my pick.

[@HodsBroo]

Lol idk how you find this dated. This looks way better than the 3 series. Disagree

[@singingtoad]

I recently subbed to your channel. I find your reviews professional, honest and family oriented. I also like how you mention your height in most of your videos, since I happen to stand 5'11" tall, I know wherever you fit, I will fit nicely too. I also have a family with 2 children under 7, 1 still in a car seat, the other a booster. Your reviews really show how well a real family might work out in the particular vehicle you're showcasing at the time. Thanks for your videos and please don't ever sell-out like so many of the other car channels on YT have; keep it real. Cheers.

[@FamilyWheels]

Great to get your feedback! Thanks for the words of encouragement. No selling out here!

[@michaelt334]

Family Wheels is it remote engine start?

[@sunflash101]

Nice video and it's always nice to see quality car content coming from a Canadian reviewer! In response to this video, I do have a few points. 1) Price: As a recent graduate looking to purchase my first vehicle in the entry level sport sedan category, I was really limited to the IS, 3 series, c class, A4 and XE. Having done my due diligence and hours spent in salesman offices negotiating, I would say that the IS is by far the most affordable. Unlike its German counterparts, which sells features by option packages, Lexus uses set trims, which makes it easy to cost and negotiate between dealerships. All in, I got my brand new 2016 IS350 F Sport 3 for $50k, all in with taxes. Comparatively to the C350 and 335, I wasn't leaving under $60k. Another significant aspect which I feel you might have overlooked is the renowned reliability of the brand. This is a car that I want to own for at least 5 years and be comfortable passing onto my parents/kids (should I decide to go down that path). I don't want myself or them to be at the shop every second weekend to fix the car. 2) Interior: by far Mercedes has the best interior in the segment but the IS is not far off. I disagree with your comment about center analog clock looking out of place as I do think it adds a certain elegance to it (c class also has it). However, my gripe is that on the Canadian version of this car, no where could a digital time be displayed in the digital driver instrument cluster or main control console. Not a deal breaker but just irritating. Car reviewers tend to be over dramatic with the mouse pad controller but you get used to it really quickly. After I week, I could navigate to anywhere I want without taking my eyes off the road. 3) lack of Android Auto / Apple CarPlay: this is huge for me. Although I absolutely adore this my is350, I would not buy a car without this feature. The unfortunate fact is that manufacturer navigation is garbage regardless if it's a luxury brand or not, when compared to Google Maps. Although my car comes with nav, I've used it only once and decided to go back to using my phone's directions instead. From what I read, Toyota/Lexus is not going to embrace this integration anytime soon, but hopefully they realize this missed opportunity soon. Especially if Lexus is trying to target more young professionals into their brand, by rejecting a superior and readily available technology into their products is not the way to do it.

[@swanblake]

Amazing review! Really agree with your insights

[@ENDERGEDIK]

nice review.thanks

[@Ro0y62]

Looking forwards to your review over RC350 F-Sport

[@claytonsykes1206]

thanks for the us mpg too

[@jliaz2438]

why didn't you mention that you can adjust the Remote Touch Interface through the settings? It makes it a lot easier to navigate the menu system

[@russianvim]

Thanks for the cid! The harsh suspension is the fsport suspension. It would be softer on the base model. I like the C300 as well, but worried about long term ownership costs.

[@rapidfirerob4]

I got a 2016 IS 200t in October of 2019. Great car. The analog clock is beautiful! The F Sport is very nice. It has the joystick, at least in the US, when you get navigation. I like the climate controls as well. Navigation is a big difficult to get going. Carplay is definitely what is missing. Roadtop has an aftermarket unit I'm looking at for when I drive more again. Who knows when that will be, Covid 19? Gas mileage is bad certainly. Moon roof is sweet. Seats are very nice and comfortable. Blind spot monitor is a must too.

[@jbm0866]

This is literally the first IS/RC review I've seen that calls the suspension "harsh", F Sport or otherwise😂 Even in F Sport guise the IS rides smoother than a BMW 3 series and Merc CLA of the same era, and thats just the normal non-M or AMG versions.

[@cjwestside]

Bang on review. I leased the IS300 4 months ago and I agree with just about everything he said. The interior noise is quite poor. I even have multiple creaks and rattles on rougher roads. Lexus needs to work on their noise isolation and insulation. I've owned 3 BMWs and never heard that. Lexus was going for a retro 90s feel to the interior and I love it. It is tight though with a cockpit feel. The gas mileage is horrible even under normal driving but the V6 is an older engine. The exterior is what made me go for this car. Most cars are starting to look homogeneous and dull. This car stands out and I've been complimented on it more than any other car I've ever had.

[@FamilyWheels]

Thanks for writing, Calvin. Thanks for your thoughts from an owner's perspective!

[@batman51]

Reading this in the UK - or though there is a 200t the only other model is the 300h, a hybrid car with CVT which I have just tried and ordered. Very comfortable. If you go for the F Sport you throw away a lot of that with smaller tyres and stiffer suspension.

[@montrillanes5183]

How’s the snow mode on the snow sir ?

[@Kaiyening]

I guess how conservative Toyota is with some of its designs and features might be just a part of the price we pay for their popularity, reliability and relatively low cost. Thankfully, they finally introduced at least Apple Car Play in their new Corolla and RAV4. Without smartphone integration, I just disregard the idea of a brand new car nowadays. And Paul, I was wondering if you could give me a piece of advice on which car to buy here in Canada. As I am not willing to spend way over $10K on a car, I'm looking into the used car market. I am just a single guy, and I might want to sell my car in a couple years. So I am basically choosing between a 2010 Lexus IS250 with 230 000 km on it (all Lexus dealer serviced by single owner, though), or a 2014 Mazda 3 with 100 000 km on it for an extra couple grand. Which one would you recommend given the depreciation and the fact that they both would satisfy me pretty equally? Or maybe I should go for something completely different, or even think of getting into one of those lease takeover things? A new car is still too expensive for me, as I just recently moved to Canada. I guess a certified pre-owned would be the most I would be willing to go for ATM I would really appreaciate any advice from you. Thanks!

[@gs98999]

Your comment about getting it to speed and how it takes a while is on point. This car is no faster than a bmw 320 even though that has 60hp less.

[@Min-lt9ct]

Hows tires been doing? I know OEM tires are bridgestone Potenza which isnt great. Just curious if you replaced to new tires now? Which brand did you change to? And brake pads? Thanks

[@FamilyWheels]

Hi there! We only had this car for a week of testing so can't comment on the long term condition of the tires and brakes, unfortunately :)

[@adrianbullaoit1866]

I'm hoping you get a hold of the new 2018 chevrolet equinox. I love your reviews and we are looking to be getting a new family vehicle soon!

[@FamilyWheels]

Thanks, Adrian. I have a hard time getting GM vehicles. But I'll see what I can swing. Good to have you watching.

[@samsonokoro5036]

Nice review but i have a gripe with your criticism of the interior, the only luxury manufacturer that beats Lexus hands down in this segment is Mercedes with the c class. This Lexus Is should have had more wood and chrome materials, the Audi A4 interior excluding the very nice virtual cockpit or should i say LCD instrument cluster reminds me of everything i see in a Passat. The Bmw 3 series needs updating, been around for ages. The Jaguar XE as well has a bland interior excluding the incredible LCD infotainment system.

[@FamilyWheels]

Hi Samson, thanks for writing. Lexus uses some really great materials but I still find the execution to be disjointed, cluttered, dated and uncohesive. It's as though pieces were taken from various Lexus vehicles over the ages and put into one vehicle. I know this is not a popular stance among Lexus fans but, particularly since this car is so modern and sleek from the exterior, I maintain the company could be doing better with its interiors. And don't get me started on the Lexus infotainment system interface!

[@seanfenwick]

I have a 2015 IS350EX rwd. I average 8.9ltr/100 and love the 306 hp. Spec for spec a BMW is far more.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Gave you a like too :)

[@FamilyWheels]

Thank you so much!

[@chb2steven]

There is no doubt the Lexus IS is a beautiful car from the outside. But I also totally agree with you that the interior looks dated. In fact you didn't mention that Lexus is still using the long outdated foot pedal type parking brake instead of the electronic type with auto hold feature as well. This really doesn't fit into a supposed premium luxury car. The whole interior needs some changes with more leg room too.

[@curseknight5]

It has been really hard to love the Lexus IS series with its pricing matching the Germans who are faster, more fuel economic, more tech... and the only trump card is Lexus reliability and smoothness...

[@vincentlee732]

curseknight5 I bought this car a month ago, and the handling of it is surprisingly good, even better than the BMW 3 and much better than the Mercedes-Benz c as well as the reliability.

[@IgorOrlic]

curseknight5 Congrats! My points exactly.

[@devingoodson8066]

Yeah. That Audi A4 with the virtual cockpit is amazing but the Lexus seems like it has longevity

[@IgorOrlic]

Shouldn't we expect IS350 to be quieter?

[@yousef.al-assaf]

Complete opposite. Its V6 likes to roar.

[@orangeblast]

I completely agree with the clock in the middle of the dash. It's very out of place and feels forced. Trying too hard comes to mind.

[@jbm0866]

It's a Lexus thing..been there since the original LS in '89, and they still put a digital representation of an analog clock in the latest Lexus models with the newest large touchscreens. I like it personally.

[@Trades46]

A solid fun to drive car, but I think the age is showing on the car. The recent C-class, 3 series & new A4 is steps above the IS in interior, technology and above all powertrain. The IS350 F-sport is quite fun to hoon but 306hp is considered "weak" in light of its competitors. On the bright side it is the last NA V6 you can buy. Reliability and Value are the name of the game here. The Germans are better cars, but if you think Lexus overcharges for their options, seeing a BMW & Audi options list will make you faint. Is this a good family car? I argue no compact executive sedan is (even the larger A4); they sacrifice space for driving experience, build quality & technology. A family of 4-5 people, step up to a GS or the more luxury oriented ES.

[@FamilyWheels]

Great thoughts. We're in the GS next week so take a look at that review, too.

[@TorontoDrivers416]

at 1:55 The camera's FPS matches the spin of the wheels