Greetings Everyone - long time viewer, first time writer; just looking to get some quick feedback. The lease of my ES is up, and it's time to make some hard decisions. I love my 2015 ES, but it handles like a baby T-Rex. I was thinking of upgrading to the IS 300, but I am seeing more cons than pros. The need for premium gas, smaller interior, and crappy gas mileage. Does the handling and marginal speed improvement, and all wheel drive really make this car shine compared to the ES? I am also a big guy (6'1 @ 220). I have driven 3 gens of Camry and hated the huge ES until it grew on me. My dentist drives the GS and he said he wish he had my car. It made me appreciate what I had even more!! I test drive the IS this weekend, but just wanted to get some thoughts. . Thanks in advance.

 

See if you can rent an IS for a weekend and go on a road trip with it. The ES and IS are very different cars.

 

Your dentist probably said he prefers the ES over his GS because of the space. I wouldn't consider the IS an upgrade from the ES...it's way too small (especially for anyone over 6'), the interior feels cramped, and doesn't ride as nice as the ES or GS. The GS would be an upgrade in handling, performance, interior quality, and features. My 6' frame fits very comfortably in the GS, not so much in the IS.

 

It's a really drastic move. The IS is just a really small car, almost like owning a sports car. If you have no kids and no one is ever riding in the back, it might work for you. It's the sort of entry luxury car for someone in their 20s. Also, it has a short wheelbase and is tuned for handling, so expect a firm ride on your commute.

If you wanted something like an ES but sportier and more compact, I think the GS is the better sedan as it as has a useable back seat and doesn't have the dimensions of a Mustang or Camaro.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Sounds like I should stick with the ES! I will drive the IS regardless to see how well it fits.

 

Agree with dchar and BradTank - we have had 3 IS’s - they are nimble, sporty, and fun to drive but fall short of the ES interior comfort.

 

Take a step back and define your needs/wants.
I've had 2 - IS-250 AWDs, have an IS-F, and we've had an ES (virtually every variant) in the family since 1991, currently running a '16 ES350.
You're going to be snug in an IS. I like the closer cockpit of the IS-F, but if you have a family it may be too small. The back seat is not great for adults or bigger kids. Handling will be tighter and more nimble.
The GS, depending on variant, will out handle the the ES but is a tad snugger in the trunk. I prefer the feel and performance of the GS but the ES350 is our mule, and we needed the larger trunk. We regularly do 900mi trips fully loaded. I put it in sport mode which tightens things up enough to make it very comfortable highway cruiser (I usually hold it around 80). Gas mileage drops a bit but not enough to dent the wallet. BTW, it runs fine on Regular. We've run all our ES's on regular with no problem. I use 93 in the IS-F.

Enjoy trying the IS, take out a GS and define what you need/want

 

Hi All - just wanted to provide a quick update. I ended up going with the 2017 GS-F. I am absolutely in love with it!! Thanks for the feedback.

 

Is that GS-F or GS-FSport - two different animals?

 

Oops - must have been on the run when I posted this. I am now the proud leaser of a 2017 GS-FSport.

 

Enjoy! The car should be an enjoyable drive.

 

Hi, what Octane gas do you consider regular? I am up in Colorado and we have 85. 87. and 91.... all the dealers here are saying to run 87... I think in a lot of states, 87 is commonly known as regular, right?

 

We run on 87 in the ES with no problem. You don't say where in CO, but it doesn't sound like the dealers have an issue with 87

 

I'm up in the Fort Collins area, but I have called the dealers in Denver also.

 

I have a 17 ES350 and my brother has a 16 GS350. GS is little nosier but handles much better with stiffer ride. If I had to do it again, I still choose the ES with the smoother ride. Test drove a IS350, the ride is even stiffer than the GS, interior is too cramp for my taste.