Hello,

Considering the weight of the 2 vehicles are almost the same and the HP and torque of ES350 is way bigger, why I do feel IS250 is very light and faster? Is that because IS250 is RWD and has electronic throttle?

-bdar

 

Electronic throttle? As in throttle by wire? I'm pretty sure the ES350 has that too.

I had a 2011 IS250 AWD as a loaner and it felt pretty peppy off the line, but when stomping on the gas while doing 40 or so, it was kinda gutless. Other than that I really liked it - wish I had more time to have some fun with it.

The sensation of speed might have to do with how its geared - like the differential and transmission gear ratios.

 

Not sure. The ES also has electronic (drive by wire) throttle. The IS 250 probably feels more nimble and responsive due to the compact size and RWD/AWD vs. the ES.

I remember when shopping for my '07 ES when they first came out, it was rated 6.2, 6.4 and 6.8 seconds 0-60 by Car & Driver, Consumer Reports and Lexus respectively. I don't know what the IS 250 does in that regard.

 

I see. I thought Electronic Throttle Control is different from Drive By Wire or Fly By Wire. But I was wrong.

 

I'd sacrifice the size and buy the 'slower' & smaller IS. Then again FWD can get oh-so-exciting in the winter. BUt that's because i'm 21 and much rather have the smaller but nimble IS. Then again the ES would offer a nicer boat feel/blvd. cruiser feel to it.

Also there is a difference in 'operating costs', the ES motor [to my knowledge] can still be run on 87 octane, where the IS is in need of 89+ octane.

If you're young & want to modify - get the IS, if you're mature/family man -get the ES

 

I used an IS250 as a loaner when my '07 transmission needed replacing back in 12/06 - 1/07 and liked the car overall except for the lack of back seat room. Recently sat in a IS-F that was in the dealer's showroom. Suddenly, with all that power, I could put up without back seat room. And that rear exhaust set up, WOW.

 

I luv quotes like this. I'm 72 years old with a grown family that has their own families. I drive a modded ISF

Based on my family's situation I could say if your a man get an IS, if your a woman get an ES. Naw, that's just silly, just like 01LEXPL's comment

Now, back to the OP's question. They are very different automobiles, and if you have to ask, you should be driving the ES

Lou

 

I love this quote. It does indeed show that you are 21, which by the way, is a great thing. I should be so lucky. At one time I owned an 87 Lincoln Town Car. Now that indeed had a "boat feel". Used to tell my wife it felt like I was driving a pontoon boat down the road! LOL.

 

I'm sure if we could see the demographics of ES350 and IS250 new car buyers there would be a lot of differences. It's no secret that the ES is favored by an older buyer - I've read reports that the average age is high-50's to 60 and that Lexus would like to lower it a bit if they can..

I'm guessing that on the IS the average is high-20's to low-30's. Just a guess.

The cars are quite different from each other, and give buyers a good choice between the two.

 

7.7 - 8.3 depending on specification of auto/manual and RWD or AWD for the 250.

I drive ES's all the time and their very toss-able (if not a bit floaty) and make good power for a non direct injected V6. I think this is in part to the moderate curb weight which when compared to competitors is on the lighter side! The 250 is more direct (suspension tuning) and has better weight to the steering wheel, but both do what they were intended to do

 

Its all "feel" b/c the ES 350 is a low to mid 6 second car and the IS 250 RWD is a high 7 second car. That is a pretty big difference at the dragstrip.

I've driven both extensively and Lexus has done a great job going after two different markets with vehicles priced the same.

 

A few months ago C&D did a comparo and the ES350 was the lightest car among Genesis, LaCrosse and Taurus. It was the smallest car in the test and the lighter weight paid dividends in several tested areas.

 

Yes they have. Rather than try to offer one car that appeals to everyone, you can pick the one that meets your needs.

 

That's interesting, I was 21 when I bought my ES350. Last year, one of my family member acquired an IS250 AWD and driving that car really reminded me of why I didn't buy the IS.

The IS's steering and suspension definitely feels tighter and it shifts more responsively than the ES. But taking longer road trips in the IS is not as comfy as the ES. Also, you won't notice any difference in acceleration in city driving but punch the throttle at highway speeds and the ES will show its torque advantage.

 

That's right! Well, I have bought ES350 couple months back and quite happy with the car. I was only wondering when I had IS250 as a loaner on the other day, why I felt lighter and nimble. Then I start comparing both cars specification. And to my surprise the weight is actually not too much of different; on the contrary the HP and horsepower.

But again everyone brings a good point, they are targeted for different age market and needs. For a family guy like me, of course ES is the good choice since IS's backseat is way too squeezy for the kids.