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My Honda Odyssey has a wireless charging pad and folding mirrors, they should absolutely be on a luxury branded sedan in this day and age. Wireless charging is quickly being found on more and more vehicles. Makes even more sense now that Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are starting to proliferate as well. Chevy Trailblazer offers wireless smartphone connectivity! Have yet to see wireless connectivity in a Toyota product though.
I'm glad that Lexus at least saw fit to do this much and keep the IS alive a few more years, Would I have loved an all-new one? Of course. I think that would say more and give the brand more credibility as they try to spin this as being a "commitment" to being more performance focused.
Does everything need to be class leading? By definition they cannot be. I just don't see this doing enough for sales to warrant another tweak or hopefully redesign in a few years. So somewhat of a self fulfilling prophecy. Toyota/Lexus won't do enough for the product to keep it competitive, and then point to lack of strong sales results as a reason to pull the plug. Perhaps Lexus wants to cement itself as the step tier between mainstream and the top tier of Mercedes and BMW. Would argue that Audi has done more to push upscale than Lexus as of late.
In the passed few days the exterior is growing on me. I think it looks better than the 3 series.
As far as looks goes, I agree. I actually think the exterior is one of the best in this segment but I think I like the C43 MB best as far as looks goes.
The IS has a nice side profile if you look at it in 2D.
but it seems like 2 different teams designed the front and back, and tried to glue it together at the C pillar area.
i wonder why they brought back the ugly hood-bumper gap line, which the old IS didn't have.
What a big difference a few lines make. I always thought the old swoop through the rear wheel to the taillight made the rear wheels look small.
The 2021 in dark color looks like it would hide some of the ugly lines..
That's an interesting IS body comparison above. But it appears they gave it more of a front overhang.
Also, the more I study the new body, the more I'm seeing a BMW bustle-butt trunk. I can't say it looks awful, but it does look awkward.
Ya'll think the new c-pillar will decrease visibility? The upward kink starts later, but rises higher.
Lastly, note the piano black gloss on the center console surfaces vs. today's non-shine, textured surface.
I wish it looked like this when it first came out. In 2014 this would have been a winner, but in 2021, those drivetrains and interior designs are DOA.
I agree. I think the 3rd gen doesn't look that good compare to the 2nd gen. And now, this refresh looks better. With the same engine though, I'll wait for Lexus's electric.
There is no way a chassis developed 10years ago can be as good as the new stuff.
Please go drive the new G20 3series. Just had one as a loaner.
The chassis rigidity on that car is incredible. It corners perfectly flat and the ride over significant potholes is composed and you feel almost nothing in the cabin. The suspension components are almost all of aluminum.
Mind you this was a base 330i xdrive non-Msport. It can do 0-60 in 5.3 seconds or so.
The car dynamically is definite improvement over the F30 3series.
Originally Posted by SW17LS
I agree there's no way an old chassis can be made to be best in class when the competition are all on new chassis.
Originally Posted by coolsaber
That depends on how bad the current New N series platform was compared to the competition, and how unmodifiable those problem areas were. In addition what were the targets for this model exactly?
Yes TGNA-N ((if it existed) would be a solid foundation, but as outsiders from the development program have little to no insight on the specs.
Until we see first drive reports, its all theories.
Agree with the bolded last sentence.
Thing is, the current Lexus IS platform, "New N", was significantly better than the old F30 3 series platform in terms of handling. That was immediately clear when I test drove both cars. It was so bad even the heavier 4GS felt more athletic than the F30 series.
One might argue that the new G20 platform merely brings BMW 3 series back to par (dynamically)with the Lexus IS after having been so much worse in terms of handling during the dark times of the F30. Now that Lexus further tweaked and improved the New N chassis, the IS may still hold the edge over the G20 in terms of handling and driver feedback/involvement.
So yes, I agree with Coolsaber : the only way to tell for sure which handles better is a head to head comparison of both cars G20 vs refreshed New N, on the slalom, on the skidpad, on the figure 8, on the racetrack and also which feels subjectively more communicative and intuitive to drive.
Thing is, the current Lexus IS platform, "New N", was significantly better than the old F30 3 series platform in terms of handling. That was immediately clear when I test drove both cars. It was so bad even the heavier 4GS felt more athletic than the F30 series.
One might argue that the new G20 platform merely brings BMW 3 series back to par (dynamically)with the Lexus IS after having been so much worse in terms of handling during the dark times of the F30. Now that Lexus further tweaked and improved the New N chassis, the IS may still hold the edge over the G20 in terms of handling and driver feedback/involvement.
So yes, I agree with Coolsaber : the only way to tell for sure which handles better is a head to head comparison of both cars G20 vs refreshed New N, on the slalom, on the skidpad, on the figure 8, on the racetrack and also which feels subjectively more communicative and intuitive to drive.
Well, if the "new" interior photos posted are correct I see Lexus put back the touchpad interface into the console. Since my experience with my NX with a disastrous touchpad I will never buy another Lexus with one. I can't believe Lexus insists on using this awful interface. I refuse to have to use it on a daily basis no matter how good this model is otherwise.
Well, if the "new" interior photos posted are correct I see Lexus put back the touchpad interface into the console. Since my experience with my NX with a disastrous touchpad I will never buy another Lexus with one. I can't believe Lexus insists on using this awful interface. I refuse to have to use it on a daily basis no matter how good this model is otherwise.
it has both touchscreen and touchpad based on what they announced
Well, if the "new" interior photos posted are correct I see Lexus put back the touchpad interface into the console. Since my experience with my NX with a disastrous touchpad I will never buy another Lexus with one. I can't believe Lexus insists on using this awful interface. I refuse to have to use it on a daily basis no matter how good this model is otherwise.
I'm on my fourth Lexus with the touchpad and cannot understand the dislike for it. Once I set up the car, I barely ever have to interact with the touchpad again.
it has both touchscreen and touchpad based on what they announced
maybe just me (since i've not used one) but touchscreen with an up high tablet doesn't seem like the easiest thing to reach / touch. a bit like doing a rubik's cube with arms outstretched.
