EZZ

Strange...such different experiences. Really monumental difference in acceleration feel between 250 and 350. The IS350 is much closer to the Q50S than it is to the 250. I know as I had a Q50S for over a week and thrashed the hell out of it. I feel the 350 has good speed at a highway roll but from a stop, isn't as impressive as a Q50S (which is quite fast really).

tea

the 3.5L V6 is underpowered to some as well.

link13

I know that is true and I appreciate your point. There is no perfect car for everyone, of course. There have been a few occasions where I would have enjoyed an extra 104 hp, but for my daily use, I don't need it and honestly would never have occasion to use it on my current commute.

I do think there's way too much emphasis on specs like 0-60 times and 1/4 miles times to the point I think a lot of automobile reviews are a disservice to consumers. It would be great to get the 2.5 out on an open road with some turns and some long straightaways where you can mash the throttle to the floor. Then, you could and probably would call the 2.5 underpowered, but that doesn't happen on a regular basis for most consumers, so why does it really even matter?

Jacabc20

I agree with the op on this one. I came from a 600rwhp car to the is250. I drove the 350 extensively on the same test drive and had my wife drive the same route too. Is there a difference? Sure it's a 2.5 vs a 3.5 engine. My guess is it's the 8 speed transmission that makes it not feel that quick (350). The only time we even felt a difference was pulling up hill or on any incline. You can just drive the crap out of either car regardless and not get into trouble and the only thing you will lose is a few extra bucks at the pump. I love my 250. Why did I get that over the 350? Got a better deal on the 250 and after doing 3 test drives of both cars I dedided that the 250 was fine with me.

This is like the v6 vs v8 mustang crowd etc etc. it's your car and if you like it that's all that matters. Guess what? There's always someone with a faster car. Big deal.

Personal minuses on the 2.5:
Severe lack of torque, if it had more torque I think it would be ok.
Shat for mpgs for the specs it has. i feel like you should be able to get mid 30s going 75+ on the Interstate.

a790

All pricing is in USD. No options were added to any vehicle unless forced to in order to meet hp/tq figures.

2015 IS 250, base - $36,550 MSRP
204 hp / 185 tq

2015 Kia Optima SX turbo, top-trim, full load - $36,502 MSRP
274 hp / 269 tq

2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Ultimate - $34,252.79 MSRP
246 hp / 260 tq

2015 Ford Fusion Titanium - $36,630 MSRP
240 hp / 270 tq

2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited - $29,595 MSRP
256 hp / 247 tq

2015 Honda Accord Touring - $33,630 MSRP
278 hp / 252 tq

2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS - $35,320
290 hp / 267 tq

2015 Volvo S-60 T5 Drive-E FWD - $33,950 MSRP
240 hp / 258 tq

2015 Cadillac ATS 2.0T - $36,240 MSRP
272 hp / 295 tq

Anyways, I could find more, but the point is this: the 2.5L V6 in the IS250 is old, under powered, not as efficient as it should be given its lack of performance, and is out-matched by nearly every brand. Every car listed above costs less (with the exception of the Fusion, which costs $80 more) and makes at least 20% more power.

If you're willing to look outside of the entry-level luxury class, you can get fully loaded vehicles that have more features for the same money. In the same class the Volvo and Cadillac both offer more performance for the same dollar.

I also feel the IS350 is underpowered, but that's a completely different conversation.

The "sugar coating" comment came from the fact that this threads reads like a giant circle-jerk. The bottom line is that the IS250 is not competitive in the market. All major review outlets feel this way, including Consumer Reports that published a scathing review of the 250 (with the majority of the criticism focused on the engine/fuel efficiency). When it gets the 2.0L turbo from the NX that'll be a different conversation.

EZZ

The value discrepancy for HP is greater in the 250. The 350 is actually powered appropriately given the price. It's really more of a 328 competitor price wise and shouldn't be compared to the 335 or S4. I don't care if it's the top line IS, it's just not in the price range of those models. Lexus doesn't have a competitor in that price range.

The 250 should have about 250hp to compete with most family sedans at that price range.

ls430lover

points,
the reality is we are all in a new pardigm shift with fuel economy and performance.
these two proven excellent motors are 2 years outdated and should have been upgraded to the 2.0 turbo in the is, gs, and es as well
everyone is tired of the 21mpg, combined especially those using premium.
i recently switched to a 2.5 4 cylinder camry xle and getting 30 mpg round trip with regular unleaded and still feel the balance of performance to gas mileage is off
next gen 8 and 9 speed automatics will get with 2.0 turbo 28 mpg combined and thats what all is buyers should be watiing for, test drove the 250 and for the risk reward of gas mileage../ to perfromance is ridiculous
the handling and car are phenomenal.
safe driving to all

evident

you can even throw in the old TSX and the current TLX i4 which puts out the same 204 HP but much more fuel efficient. That car costs less $ than the is250 as well. the whole lexus lineup is dying for some updated engines. I guess the 2GR-FE is good enough for the ES350 and RX350's but anything that's performance oriented (the 2.5L V6 and the IS/GS 350's 2GR-FSE) needs an overhaul ASAP!!

PAPI007

When I test drove the IS250, I felt like I was pulling a boat, with that said I opted for the IS350, which I have had now for awhile and I feel the 8 speed transmission is a drag. The 6 speed would have been much better IMHO.

a790

We have the 6 in the AWD F-Sport and I think it's a great tranny. The more I use it, especially in manual mode, the more I enjoy it. Very predictable, never surprises me, very easy to work with, holds the gear...

It's a good one, I think.

dizlex

In what way is the 8-speed a "drag"?

It may be true that you don't "need" 8 ratios, it's still a better tranny than the 6-speed.

dizlex

You have it figured-out. The 350 is OK (just barely). It's not like 3.5L V6's are uncommon, in lesser (FWD) vehicles. But hey, RWD costs more (and is worth it).

CouchRider

I just got the IS 250 AWD. Even with the extra weight and the drivetrain loss of AWD, I feel that the car satisfies me for getting around town and the highway. Gearing matters a lot, and I find that this 6-speed automatic is geared well and responds eagerly with quick downshifts. When I can't be bothered to shift for myself 99% of the time, that really matters.

ls430lover

chatted about is that the 250 motor satisfies exactly the customer base the car was targeted for.
like i said in early post its 2 years over due for the 2.0 turbo but they are selling the car in droves for 400/month and 40k. in my humble opinion little expensive for the car but its a great looking and handling car with a comfy interior for people that are under 6 feet 200 pounds. which brings me back to the original comment, the 250 is selling to a c class woman buyer or a4 buyer that wants lexus realibilty, the looks, and the sporty edge without a crazy powertrain. lot of empty nesters looking for a 4 door that want something sporty.
and hope i didnt offend anyone that bought it that isn't that demographic but its reality that they need to have vehicles that can compete in each segment and the 250 fits right it and one of the reasons the sales numbers have been great
safe driving

EZZ

Generally, I don't find too many older folks in the IS...a little too small. From my observation, I find waaaaay more 250s than 350s. Like 10 to 1. I also find that way more women drive the 250 than men in so-cal. It reverses for the 350. I find way more men drive the 250 than women. These observations shouldn't be surprising. The demographics for the 2IS were largely favored toward women and many thought the 2IS was a little feminine.