I have almost convinced my wife to let me pick up an IS350 but there has been some debate about fitting my newborn into the back seat. We took the safety seat to lexus and it fit but I wanted to know from some of you how bad it was on a day to day basis. If I can get it to work I will have to move up to the ES...yuck!

Depends on a few things:

-Is the newborn your only child?
-If so, will all 3 be in the car a lot?
-How tall are you?

I have two kids (2 and 4) and I don't enjoy having to load them into their seats. For one, their isn't much clearance and it is awkward to get them in or out. Another is that the seats in back are not flat so the carseat need to be propped up a bit. My 4 year old is tall, 44" and he can barely fit behind my seat because I am 6'2".

If you only have the newborn I'd say go for it because the click-in carriers (where the base stays in the car) are much easier to get in and out. Ideally you could move the passenger seat forward all the way and have a lot of room in back.

I have a 2-yr old. It is not bad at all. I owned an E46 3-series before the IS250. It is just as tight in the back.

Headroom in the backseat is the problem for adult. I do not have much problem with child seat.

Good point but what about when the child gets older and needs a regular toodler seat. My wife complained about my purchase from day one (she had pneumonia and signed the papers without setting foot in the car). There really is a lack of space in the back. If you can deal with constant scuff marks from kids' shoes on the backs of the seats you should be fine. One thing. I have a 6 and 4 year old and the size seats they sit in now do not fit very well into the bucket seat. The base is so large that they sit on the edges and become unstable. I tend not to use car seats in the car at all and require them to simply use seatbelts. The only time they ride in the car is to and from school which is right by our house.

I'd think long and hard about that one. I love my IS but you may want to explore some other options in the sports sedan market that have roomier backseats.

WOW, this news makes me worry a bit...I have a 4 month old...However, if it can work and is still 100% safe for the little one and puts a huge smile on my face. I think it will be OK!

Wow - I didn't think it was that bad for child seats... with the 2nd gen IS's

You guys mut be glad you didn't buy the IS300 ..

Although its a bit snug back there for adults, my 4 year knows how to get in and out of her seat and I ask her at least 5 times a trip to pleast not scuff the backs of our front seats with her shoes..

I took her home from the hospital in my Is300 and I had the base that remained in the car and the seat carrier just clicked in an out..

Know she rocks in one of these... I removed the head pillow and put a Lexus Decal in center fastner and also bought some infant black shoulder straps for the racing seat affect..
I'll try to take pictures of mine installed in my IS300.




Joe Z

I have a three year old in a booster seat, and I am 5'10", she fits fine behind my seat, or behind the passenger's seat.

Now the problem came with my newborn. The two peice rear facing seat, cradle and seat carrier not fit behind me. I fits behind the passenger's seat, but unless you are short 5'5" and under you will be uncomfortable.

I ended up putting the two peice set up in the middle, as I did in my 1st gen, there it fits fine. No probs for me, or the wife.

Now for some reason, I think I had more room in my 1st gen though...feels crapmed back there.

If you are taller, 6' and above, I do not think it will work for ya.

As far as everyday use, it is not bad, for being a sedan. Though you do have to actually get inside the car to put the baby carrier properly. I did the same on my 1st gen, so I guess I am used to it.

Nothing like the wife's SUV, XC90, there is cake.

Thanks for all the great feedback. I went to lexus on Saturday with my nephew's newborn carrier and stroller. I felt rather silly going into the show room armed with baby gear but It's a big investment and if they want our money they will ahve to deal.

I was rather surpised that the large stroller slipped into the back of the IS with no issue at all. The carrier however was a little more challenging. I move the passenger seat up and leaned the seat up. I am 5'10" and fit in the front seat. I will add however, my knees where almost touching the dash but I fit fine. The other option was the Lexus Camry..cough cough... ES350. Of course everything fit fine but I'm not crazy about putting it into my garage.

If you have pictures of a infant carrier facing the back or a suggestion for a good carrier that does not take up much room I would appreciate it.