Tough Choice: Turbo 4 or V6 Power in the New 2017 IS?
Different power delivery, but similar peak outputs makes the IS 200t and the IS 300 close competition.
Entry into the Lexus IS ownership club just got a bit more interesting for Canadians with the introduction of the IS 200t to their lineup. Named the IS Turbo stateside, it expands their lineup to include the IS 200t, IS 300 and IS 350.
With the IS350 having a clear power advantage, that leaves the 200t and the 300 to fight it out for the remaining sales.
Jim Bray of Canada Free Press writes:
“…driving the IS 200t nearly back to back with an IS 300 AWD made the comparison very interesting. Sure, the 300’s V6 offers more oomph (255 peak horsepower) but the lighter turbo four sure didn’t give up much, if anything in performance.”
With performance being so similar, you might say it makes the decision even tougher. But for the snowy north, the IS 300’s available all-wheel-drive gives it a clear advantage. For lands more fortunate to be sun-soaked, it’s the rear-drive, very dynamic IS 200t that takes the prize.
Base prices for both start in the low $40,000 range, but can quickly tally higher if the F sport packages are added on. There’s three different levels of visual and tech upgrades that you receive with each, and all in, you’re scratching at a $50,000 ride for either model.
Location and taste will dictate which one you’d want, but with the automotive industry racing to support turbocharging technology, the IS 200t might be the one model name that sticks around for the long run.
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