IS200t Test Drive
09-17-15, 03:43 PM
#76
I was very happy to see that as far as smoothness, there is pretty much no difference, super smooth and quiet under normal acceleration and at idle. Some turbo 4s idle a bit rough but the IS does not at all which is really nice. Can't really hear or feel the engine inside the car at a stop light. It does get loud under moderate to hard acceleration with a higher pitched sound than the v6. It's just not as deep, the v6 has more of a growl.
09-17-15, 03:55 PM
#77
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I was very happy to see that as far as smoothness, there is pretty much no difference, super smooth and quiet under normal acceleration and at idle. Some turbo 4s idle a bit rough but the IS does not at all which is really nice. Can't really hear or feel the engine inside the car at a stop light. It does get loud under moderate to hard acceleration with a higher pitched sound than the v6. It's just not as deep, the v6 has more of a growl.
Any car that goes through a hard acceleration will make some loud noise. lol. As long as the car is not shaky, noisy at stop position, I'm happy. I was thinking about Infiniti at first, but I'm glad I did my research and chose Lexus (though I haven't own one yet, but I test drove the IS 250 2015 a few weeks ago. I'm just waiting for more IS 200t reviews first. I'm probably going to get it October or November). I like Lexus' reliability, quietness, and smoothness compared to the other luxury cars.
09-17-15, 06:59 PM
#78
The pursuit of F
Just got back from test driving an is200t. First off, brakes do feel better than on my is250 when it was new. But the turbo lag is definitely noticeable. It's a full second, then you feel the torque. I expected that going in but it does not feel substantially faster until you get it going, typical for a turbo. Was able to get it on the freeway but only for about a 1/2 mile due to traffic conditions. It's not as noticeable on the freeway because I kept it in a lower gear so a higher rpm, but in stop and go driving you will feel the lag. So personally, it's a trade off, passing speed on the freeway vs the instant torque and then fade in power from a stop light. All about driving habits. But it's a huge difference in engine noise. It sounded a lot more forced especially when slowing down and shifting to a lower gear. The growl of the V6 is replaced by the more mechanical sound of the 4 cyl. Again, I t really depends on driving habits if you're considering upgrading. I would definitely look into an exhaust to drown out the 4cyl engine sound.
09-18-15, 04:19 PM
#79
ISISGUY, have you driven an NX200t before?
If so, can you give us your impression of how the IS200t engine behaves relative to an NX200t?
My recollection four months ago was that the NX200t had a rougher idle than the IS250.
The NX200t had fairly instant response, though I didn't really suddenly step down on the accelerator to catch the turbo lag out.
I thought the NX200t had a flattish torque curve, especially for a turbo.
The NX200t also had plenty of go.
Unfortunately, the NX200t suffered from a very loud and very coarse engine under even moderate acceleration, that falls well short of the IS250 V6.
I'm not sure if the IS200t has managed to insulate the loudness and coarseness of the 2 liter turbo inside the IS?
I'd really like the next generation of GS and IS's to use 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 V6's with forced induction, and even combine that with gasoline-electric hybrid, provided they use the denser, smaller and lighter lithium ion batteries like the Teslas...
If so, can you give us your impression of how the IS200t engine behaves relative to an NX200t?
My recollection four months ago was that the NX200t had a rougher idle than the IS250.
The NX200t had fairly instant response, though I didn't really suddenly step down on the accelerator to catch the turbo lag out.
I thought the NX200t had a flattish torque curve, especially for a turbo.
The NX200t also had plenty of go.
Unfortunately, the NX200t suffered from a very loud and very coarse engine under even moderate acceleration, that falls well short of the IS250 V6.
I'm not sure if the IS200t has managed to insulate the loudness and coarseness of the 2 liter turbo inside the IS?
I'd really like the next generation of GS and IS's to use 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 V6's with forced induction, and even combine that with gasoline-electric hybrid, provided they use the denser, smaller and lighter lithium ion batteries like the Teslas...
09-18-15, 10:47 PM
#80
ISISGUY, have you driven an NX200t before?
If so, can you give us your impression of how the IS200t engine behaves relative to an NX200t?
My recollection four months ago was that the NX200t had a rougher idle than the IS250.
The NX200t had fairly instant response, though I didn't really suddenly step down on the accelerator to catch the turbo lag out.
I thought the NX200t had a flattish torque curve, especially for a turbo.
The NX200t also had plenty of go.
Unfortunately, the NX200t suffered from a very loud and very coarse engine under even moderate acceleration, that falls well short of the IS250 V6.
I'm not sure if the IS200t has managed to insulate the loudness and coarseness of the 2 liter turbo inside the IS?
I'd really like the next generation of GS and IS's to use 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 V6's with forced induction, and even combine that with gasoline-electric hybrid, provided they use the denser, smaller and lighter lithium ion batteries like the Teslas...
If so, can you give us your impression of how the IS200t engine behaves relative to an NX200t?
My recollection four months ago was that the NX200t had a rougher idle than the IS250.
The NX200t had fairly instant response, though I didn't really suddenly step down on the accelerator to catch the turbo lag out.
I thought the NX200t had a flattish torque curve, especially for a turbo.
The NX200t also had plenty of go.
Unfortunately, the NX200t suffered from a very loud and very coarse engine under even moderate acceleration, that falls well short of the IS250 V6.
I'm not sure if the IS200t has managed to insulate the loudness and coarseness of the 2 liter turbo inside the IS?
I'd really like the next generation of GS and IS's to use 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 V6's with forced induction, and even combine that with gasoline-electric hybrid, provided they use the denser, smaller and lighter lithium ion batteries like the Teslas...
09-18-15, 11:44 PM
#81
Driver School Candidate
I can confirm for sure that the 300 has the same brakes as the 350 as I've seen it in person. If Lexus.com is incorrect about the brakes in the 300, it's quite conceivable that the 200t specs are incorrect as well.
09-20-15, 09:12 PM
#82
Lexus Champion
I'm glad Lexus finally decided to get rid of the anemic 250 engine...I have one for a loaner this weekend and it amazes me how long Lexus has kept this in the lineup with its lack of power. It's sooo slow; one of my passengers commented on how slow it was when we were going up a hill from stop. (Sorry to current owners) The 200t will probably be an improvement, but the smoothness and growl of the 2.5 will be missed...I wonder what the figures would've been if they put a turbo on the 2.5 rather than a 4-cylinder...
09-20-15, 10:21 PM
#83
I'm glad Lexus finally decided to get rid of the anemic 250 engine...I have one for a loaner this weekend and it amazes me how long Lexus has kept this in the lineup with its lack of power. It's sooo slow; one of my passengers commented on how slow it was when we were going up a hill from stop. (Sorry to current owners) The 200t will probably be an improvement, but the smoothness and growl of the 2.5 will be missed...I wonder what the figures would've been if they put a turbo on the 2.5 rather than a 4-cylinder...
It's one of the smoothest rides I've driven.
Last edited by Rebirthing; 09-20-15 at 10:24 PM.
09-21-15, 01:55 PM
#84
I have the 2IS250, 3IS250, 3GS350 & the 4GS350, and although the 2.5's are nearly 50% slower from 0-60 mph, the 2.5's are actually smoother & quieter than the 3.5's, thanks to lighter reciprocating mass.
The 2L turbo I test drove in the NX200t had good power at around 15% quicker 0-60, and superior economy than the 2.5 V6, but the four cylinder was the pits for quietness & smoothness.
If I'm not wrong, the 2L turbos in the C Class & 3 Series, are quicker, more economical, and both smoother and quieter than the NX200t, but then we are comparing a sedan with a CUV.
I can only pray that they manage to refine and insulate the four cylinder engine in the IS200t and GS200t...
.
The 2L turbo I test drove in the NX200t had good power at around 15% quicker 0-60, and superior economy than the 2.5 V6, but the four cylinder was the pits for quietness & smoothness.
If I'm not wrong, the 2L turbos in the C Class & 3 Series, are quicker, more economical, and both smoother and quieter than the NX200t, but then we are comparing a sedan with a CUV.
I can only pray that they manage to refine and insulate the four cylinder engine in the IS200t and GS200t...
.
Last edited by peteharvey; 09-21-15 at 02:09 PM.
09-22-15, 01:09 PM
#85
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The hold up is no matter how smooth those engines are. The Lexus brand is200t etc will always reality hanging over there heads. BMW, Benz etc.
I have the 2IS250, 3IS250, 3GS350 & the 4GS350, and although the 2.5's are nearly 50% slower from 0-60 mph, the 2.5's are actually smoother & quieter than the 3.5's, thanks to lighter reciprocating mass.
The 2L turbo I test drove in the NX200t had good power at around 15% quicker 0-60, and superior economy than the 2.5 V6, but the four cylinder was the pits for quietness & smoothness.
If I'm not wrong, the 2L turbos in the C Class & 3 Series, are quicker, more economical, and both smoother and quieter than the NX200t, but then we are comparing a sedan with a CUV.
I can only pray that they manage to refine and insulate the four cylinder engine in the IS200t and GS200t...
.
The 2L turbo I test drove in the NX200t had good power at around 15% quicker 0-60, and superior economy than the 2.5 V6, but the four cylinder was the pits for quietness & smoothness.
If I'm not wrong, the 2L turbos in the C Class & 3 Series, are quicker, more economical, and both smoother and quieter than the NX200t, but then we are comparing a sedan with a CUV.
I can only pray that they manage to refine and insulate the four cylinder engine in the IS200t and GS200t...
.
09-22-15, 01:11 PM
#86
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Its horribly slow imo. Like said before my 4 cylinder tsx had more pop.
I'm glad Lexus finally decided to get rid of the anemic 250 engine...I have one for a loaner this weekend and it amazes me how long Lexus has kept this in the lineup with its lack of power. It's sooo slow; one of my passengers commented on how slow it was when we were going up a hill from stop. (Sorry to current owners) The 200t will probably be an improvement, but the smoothness and growl of the 2.5 will be missed...I wonder what the figures would've been if they put a turbo on the 2.5 rather than a 4-cylinder...
09-22-15, 01:12 PM
#87
Lead Lap
My dad had a 1992 Toyota Camry, 3.5 V6 XLE FWD model. That was the car I learned to drive in. Although its a tough comparison because of the age and difference, thinking back, the 3.5 Liter V6 in the '92 Camry had 185hp and 189lb/torque. Some of the IS 250's engine specs aren't that much different -- even zero to sixty times are similar!
I can completely understand why a lot of people criticized the 250 for being a modern engine with seemingly "last century" specs - but its a smooth ride with just enough power and had the right price point/target audience to make it super popular.
The new lineup of IS cars looks likes toyota is finally willing to put its engineering prowess to the test and finally jump into the modern turbo engine market - I think the 200t won't have much market in the snowier states, but it will do great as a replacement for the 250 and will be a superb car to mod...
Last edited by AJLex19; 09-22-15 at 01:16 PM.
09-22-15, 01:18 PM
#88
Lexus Champion
My dad had a 1992 Toyota Camry, 3.5 V6 XLE FWD model. That was the car I learned to drive in. Although its a tough comparison because of the age and difference, thinking back, the 3.5 Liter V6 in the '92 Camry had 185hp and 189lb/torque. Some of the IS 250's engine specs aren't that much different -- even zero to sixty times are similar!
09-22-15, 02:09 PM
#89
09-22-15, 03:43 PM
#90
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