‘Pretty Outstanding’ 2017 Lexus IS Getting Raves from Critics
Lexus’ Latest Stunner Emerges from Rival’s Shadow, Morphs Into a Seriously Fun Car
One of the most annoying phrases created by anyone over the last few decades is “3-Series fighter.” We get it — BMW’s legendary performance sedan set the bar for everything else. But in this day and age, automakers like Lexus have branched out, building their own unique sports sedans. And it’s a point that Jalopnik‘s William Clavey drives home in his review of the 2017 Lexus IS.
Instead of chasing after it’s rivals, Lexus has really found itself lately. It was almost like they went to some sort of life coach and realized that copying the Germans was fruitless. And ever since that day, they’ve been pumping out exciting product after exciting product. None of which look even remotely German. When you see a modern Lexus, you immediately know what it is.
And even though they admittedly aren’t fans of the “Predator” face present on every new Lexus, Clavey does like the way it looks on the new IS. He refers to the Redline Red 200T as “quite the masterpiece,” despite possessing “a face only a mother could love.” Combine that with “tight panel gaps, exquisite paint job finish, and fanatical attention to detail,” and you’ve got a lovely exterior package.
Things get even better under the hood. The new 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder provides a significant upgrade on the outgoing V6 – 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque vs. 204/184. It’s rev happy, yet smooth and refined. Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to the 8-speed transmission. Clavey describes it as “so damn clumsy,” noting that “more often than not, the transmission fumbled to find the right gear, hesitated, upshifted too early.”
Clavey found the chassis dynamics, however, to be “pretty outstanding,” even in the snow. With the newfound lightness up front thanks to the four cylinder, the IS is both agile and controllable. As Clavey notes, this makes it incredibly easy to drive at the limit. “You can just put it exactly where you want it. All the time. Feel like you’ve overdone it? Just lift off, and the car straightens back instantly into a straight line.”
Much like the Subaru BRZ, the Lexus IS isn’t the fastest car in it’s class — not even close. But it more than makes up for that deficiency by providing a rewarding and highly entertaining driving experience. Anybody can hop in, kick the tail out, and giggle for hours. And when was the last time you could say that about a Lexus?
