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2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport review

One of the most important aspects of a car for me is the design. A car could be technically brilliant and be engineered with the best know-how in the industry but if it isn’t something aesthetically pleasing then it won’t do for me. Take the Porsche Panamera as an example. On a technical and engineering level, I have huge respect for it. However, because it looks likes a bloated whale I have as much interest in it as I do in quantum physics. First impressions are everything and it’s especially so with cars. Sometimes there are cases where cars are better to look at than to drive. A very many French and Italian cars fall into this category.

Actually, almost every car ever made shows nationalistic traits in their design one way or another. For example, Italian cars have typically sensual and flamboyant features. Alfa Romeos, Maserati, and Ferrari evoke a certain type of flair other cars can’t duplicate. German cars are have a certain style of solidity about them, as if they were hued out of a single block of granite. Up until recently British cars tended to have traditional styling from Victorian times. American cars are big and brash. But out of all the major players in the auto industry it’s the Japanese that haven’t had the best history of car design. Japan as a whole haven’t had a common theme, apart from being rather generic.

The first Japanese cars were a mix and mash of European and American designs. Early Hondas and Mazdas in particular looked like miniature versions of various Fords, Chevys, and Mercedes Benzes. There have been cases of the Japanese successfully incorporating European and American design into their cars, in particular during the 1960s and 1970s. The Toyota 2000GT is widely regarded as the first Japanese supercar but I maintain it’s the most beautiful car to ever come out of Japan. Its rarity, value, and association with James Bond are simply the cherry on top. With typical ’60s curves and proportions that are impossible to copy today, the 2000GT could very well remain the best looking Japanese car ever. Which comes as no surprise since it resembles a Jaguar E-Type, a car Enzo Ferrari himself claimed to be the most beautiful car.

Of course there are other strong contenders others would argue for. The Nissan 240Z offered E-Type inspired motoring for a fraction of the price and has gone on to become one a legend among Japanese cars. The Mazda Cosmos was the first Mazda with a rotary engine but more importantly it looked fantastic. Then there’s the Mazda MX5 and FD RX7 which still turn heads today. Honda’s S600 is a quirky little car but there’s no denying its prettiness. It’d be hard to not mention the NSX in a list of pretty Japanese cars. The S2000 as well is easily one most beautiful Japanese cars of recent times.

But the reason the cars mentioned above are so beautiful is because they resemble already beautiful cars. The FD RX7 was a modern Japanese interpretation of the Jag E-Type (seems Japanese designers love the E). The NSX was like a Ferrari, only it didn’t break down as much. Of course some will argue that I’m being too critical and mean. They’ll point out there’s been a number of examples of original Japanese design. Mazda RX-8 for example which looks nothing like anything the West has ever come up with. The Mitsuoka Orochi is another example though its one of those love it or hate it cars.

In recent years there’s been one Japanese brand that I’ve been keep a close eye on; Lexus. Since they introduced the L’finesse design language in the early 2000s, Lexus has maintained a steady growth and evolution of their design language. It wasn’t until 2006 though when they launched the second-generation IS sedan when things started to get interesting. I remember when this came out I thought it looked fantastic. It looked a more exotic and expensive than it suggests. When I thought it couldn’t get any better, Lexus then introduced the IS F. That, with its flared wheel arches and stacked quad exhausts made me all jittery. The IS F was the first Lexus to bear the ‘F’ badge. I’m not entirely sure what the ‘F’ stands for in F Sport. The most popular belief is that its Fuji, referring to the Fuji Speedway track where Toyota test and develop their cars. I’ve always thought it was something to do with ‘Fast’ or ‘Furious’ but Fuji is far more romantic. F Sport, by the way, is to Lexus what AMG is to Mercedes. It’s a sort of in-house tuning division which turns their normal saloons into weapons of mass tyre destruction. The F Sport brand got its own stand alone halo model in 2010, 10 years after it was first conceived. I’m talking of course about the Lexus LFA.

As mentioned before, I believe the Toyota 2000GT is the prettiest Japanese car ever made. But my favourite is the LFA. The engineering behind the LFA could only described simply as ‘Japanese’. Everything down to the most minute of details have been methodically honed to perfection. The 4.8-litre V10 is nothing short of a masterpiece. While I’ve yet to hear one in real life, I’ve watched hours worth of videos online. That is one of the best sounding things in the world. Not best sounding engine in a car, best sounding thing in the world. I have a feeling, given the chance, that V10 engine could out perform a few pop stars on the singles chart. It’s that operatic.

The problem with the LFA though is that it’s hideously expensive. Far beyond the reach of mere mortals. It’s around double the price of a Mercedes SLS, Ferrari 458, or Porsche 911 Turbo. Luckily, there is now a more affordable alternative. Enter the IS350 F Sport. Okay, that’s not entirely true. Lexus do have other F Sport models such as the GS F Sport and CT F Sport but I think the IS F Sport is the closest thing to an LFA everyday folk can get. Well, until the RC F comes out. For now the sporty saloon that is the IS350 F Sport is it. Though it’s not as simple as that. Unlike the LFA which competes in the hallowed supercar segment where competition is varied and colourful, the IS350 F Sport has to compete against fellow sports saloons. And traditionally, sports saloons is German territory.

Germans do many things well. They’re an efficient bunch and have somehow managed to get through the global financial crisis unscathed. They gave us Albert Einstein, Wolfgang Mozart, and erm, Angela Merkel. I ran out of names but she’s just as significant. But definitely, the best things the Germans do and the most famous thing they’re known for (events in the early 20th Century aside) is the sports saloon. This is a German creation. Cars like the BMW M5, Mercedes C63 AMG, and Audi RS4 are considered the best cars in the world and can be found blasting up and down the autobahn and Nurburgring on a daily occasion. The Germans definitely have the home advantage. Britain, Italy, and even Sweden and America have tried numerous times to try and topple the Fatherland but have failed. Britain’s Jaguar R saloons, Italy’s Maserati Quttroporte, Sweden’s Volvo R cars, and USA’s Cadillac CTS-V are worthy rivals but none have ever been able to match the all round abilities of the Germans. Japan never really got into the sports saloon and I never understood why. There’s certainly a demand for them there because AMG Mercs and BMW M cars are as common in Japan as sushi trains and vending machines.

It should be stressed at this point that the IS350 F Sport isn’t the full hot wasabi in terms of hot saloons. It doesn’t compete agains the the likes of the top rung C63, M3, or RS4. Instead it goes against their little brothers; the C350 AMG Sport, the 335i M Sport, and the Audi S4. You could even throw the Volvo S60 T6 into the mix as a left-field alternative. Lexus has given themselves quite the challenge then. The compact executive segment is a bit like Game of Thrones. There’s a lot of politics and loyalty involved. And like in the Game of Thrones you either win or die. There is no second place. It’s a kill or be killed segment and the Germans have been at the top for far too long. Queue in Lexus. A relatively new contender in the premium/luxury market, Lexus hasn’t had the illustrious history as the Germans. In the 25 years since their first car, the LS400, Lexus have slowly developed their own identity.

Lexus’ early attempts at the IS followed the German recipe for success very well. It was a small, handsome, front engine, rear wheel drive four door. With this third generation IS they’ve gone all Japanese with it. The basic template is still there though. The engine is still at the front and the rear wheels are still being driven but that’s where the similarities with the Germans end. Because just look at it! It looks like nothing else on the road. Compared to the conservative Germans the IS is a breath of fresh air. You can tell it was designed in Japan by someone who has clearly read too many manga and watched too much anime. It’s a seriously cool looking thing and turns heads everywhere you go.

The ‘L’ shaped arrow daytime running lights certainly helps to the cause. Again, daytime running lights have traditionally been something the Germans had exclusively to themselves but you have to admit the ones on the IS are just as cool if not cooler than those on Audis and BMWs. Then there’s the massive Predator-esque ‘spindle’ grille. You may have seen it on other Lexus cars (in fact I think this has now made it onto their entire range) but to my eyes it looks the best on the IS. Well with the exception of the RC but that’s essentially a two-door IS anyway. That’s not all though. Because while the shape of the grille is noteworthy upon closer inspection you notice there’s a styled pattern design. It’s such a Japanese level of craftsmanship you wonder how they found time to do anything else on the car. But they have. Another little detail I particularly like are the headlight washers. Usually in most cars they’re hidden in the bumper behind a square cover. Not so in the IS. They’re proudly on display like a pair of silver beauty spots. It is Cindy Crawford with a spindle grille.

From the side this new IS definitely shows its evolution from the second generation IS. Not that that’s a bad thing as that car had perfect proportions. The new IS is a a tad longer (80mm), wider (10mm), and taller (110mm) than its predecessor to make it more spacious inside. Thankfully that hasn’t affect the styling outside. It still looks good and sporty. Even when it’s standing still. I like, no love, how the skirts sort of flick up towards the rear giving a seamless flowing line to the taillights. Why can’t more car designers actually design their cars like this? Compared to the rest of the car the rear of the IS is a bit more calm. The taillights are the styling standout though. The ‘L’ theme continues when they light up. The cheeky little ducktail boot lid and and dual exhausts shows everyone behind it that this means business. My test car was fitted with the F Sport Package which adds sportier styling thanks to a Terminator look bodykit, fantastic 18-inch wheels, and other upgrades. But more on those later.

Now, let’s talk about the interior. If you thought the exterior was futuristic unlike anything you’ve seen then you’ll be in for a shock. In a good way. The interior of the IS is worthy of its exterior. But first getting in is quite the experience. Obviously this has keyless entry. You get a stylish key fob which as long as is on your person you can unlock the car simply by putting your hand on the door handle. Locking the car is an experience itself. You simple slide your finger down the top of the handle. A bit like the ‘Slide to Unlock’ function on an iPhone. Once inside you can see that again Lexus have taken the German rulebook and thrown it straight out the window. There are multiple layers which are unheard of in Germany, there’s a moveable speedo, and rejoice there’s even an analogue clock which looks like it was made by a Swiss watchmaker. A far cry from the starting sequence that greets you when you push the starter button. I don’t know which was more impressive; the steering wheel lowering itself for you or the LFA-style digital speedo coming to life.

Everything inside feels premium. I mean everything. The leather seats and steering wheel with contrasting stitching are some of the best I’ve ever felt. And the smell. Every car has a distinct smell. Some are strong (Italians), some are subtle (Brits) but the Lexus was a nice middle ground. It wasn’t overwhelming but lingered and every now and then you get a whiff of it and it reminds you that you’re in something special. I can still smell it today. Lexus are renowned for their build quality and I’m happy to report the IS carries on the torch. Yes, it’s a $110k car so you’d expect it to be faultless. But even the bits that are plastic were a pleasure to touch. Usually I’m able to tell what’s leather and what isn’t but the soft touch materials Lexus use are so good it left me confused at times. The use of aluminium trim inside is just right. There isn’t too much of it to make it look tacky while not looking like an afterthought.

The interior does a great job of making you feel like part of the car. It wraps around you in a way few sports cars fail to do. It was brilliant. The layers I mentioned before gave the interior a level of depth I hadn’t experienced before. Finding a comfortable driving position is easy. Since Lexus is a Japanese company and they drive on the correct side over there, the steering wheel, pedals, and seats are perfectly placed. Of course everything is adjusted electrically so there’s no need for tiring manual work. No, not in a Lexus. In the rear you’ve got ample space for two adults. Legroom isn’t too bad and headroom is adequate. That is, unless you’re unfortunate enough to have to sit in the middle. Most rear-wheel drive cars have useless middle seats thanks to the transmission being placed in the rear. Some cars such as the Mercedes CLS have given up all together and don’t have one. But in the IS I was hard pressed to think who’d be comfortable there. Small children or a Smurf perhaps? Of course if you wanted to smuggle Smurfs the boot is a decent size for doing so. At 480L it’s on par with the BMW 3-Series. It can even mange to fit a set of golf clubs, a trolley for said golf clubs, and a a booster seat with space to spare. It’d easily swallow luggage for four. Best think of the IS then as a four seater or an “occasional” five seater. Then you’ll find the back isn’t a bad place to be in. But it’s not quite as good as the front. So let’s go back there. Once you’ve gotten comfortable on the driver’s seat, or have stopped playing with the million-way adjustable electric seats you find that everything you need can be controlled at the tip of your fingers.

You’ve got the Remote Touch controller thing which is Lexus’ take on Mercedes’ COMAND, BMW’s iDrive, and Audi’s MMI. Only unlike the Germans which use a rotary dial, the Lexus works like a computer mouse. But of course, this is Japanese after all. At first it took a bit to get used to it but after a few minutes it started to become more intuitive. Certainly it’s less distracting than a touchscreen. Above the Controller are shortcut buttons for Home, Menu, and Up and Down. The Remote Touch controls everything on the 7-inch screen which includes the sat nav, audio, radio, phone, and settings. Though if you can’t be bothered going through menus you could always use voice control. Unlike most of these systems the one in the IS actually works and can understand various accents. It’s great. The centre console slopes down in an angle which is great for the touch sensitive climate control, erm, controls. It felt very futuristic and I found myself turning the temperature up and down a lot just to use those controls. If, like me, you like a contrasting interior you can have the air con on low and the seat heaters on high. Yes, the seats are also heated and cooled! There are three settings for each which means your bum is able to have differing levels of comfort. Nice of Lexus to think of your Gluteus Maximus.

Something worth mentioning, because it’s possibly the coolest thing in the whole world, is the virtual instrument cluster. Usually I’d write how a digital speedo takes away the analogue aspect of a car and is a step into the direction of soulless machines. But recently I’ve gotten used to their large and readable displays and can see their appeal. But the one in the IS is different. Yes it’s digital but the tach looks like a normal analogue one. Until you press a button on the steering. Then it becomes all Blade Runner. The tach elegantly slide to the right and a driver information screen appears. This screen displays information for fuel consumption, sat nav, radio, audio and allows you to change them via buttons on the steering wheel. It acts a secondary screen to the main display on the dash. It helps reduce driver distraction and is just a cool feature in general. It also displays cruise control info, which in the IS350 is a radar-guided system. This was the first time I got to use this on the motorway and thankfully it worked. I set the cruise control to a 100 km/h (the legal speed limit) and followed behind a Mitsubishi Pajero. When the Pajero slowed down for the exit the Lexus also slowed down and when the Pajero was gone it sped back up to 100. What I didn’t expect was the ferocity at which it’d accelerate.

On the topic of the motorway, the IS does a fine job of being a comfortable motorway cruiser. But of course it would, it’s a Lexus. Noise, vibrations, and harshness levels were kept to a bare minimum. Which surprised me as this was the F Sport model after all. The large tyres, stiffened suspension, and sports seats didn’t take any of the comfort away. It glided down the motorway as if was being blown by a divine wind. It was a relaxing car. I said last week that I could see myself driving up and down the country in the GLA, well I could see myself crossing continents in the IS. As well as the radar cruise control, the IS also has blind spot assist and lane departure warning to make motorway journeys as stressfree as possible. The seats provided great support and were very comfortable. No, really comfortable. I didn’t experience any backaches, my bum didn’t go numb… It was lovely. The cabin is well insulated from unwanted outside noise too. It was near silent in there. Which is good because it means you can appreciate the awesome Mark Levinson sound system. I don’t know who Mark Levinson is but he can sure make sound systems. This was easily one of the best I’ve ever heard. Even at full volume there was no distortion in the sound.

When I said the cabin was insulated from unwanted outside noise I meant it. It uses noise cancelling technology so everything you don’t want to hear is blocked out and everything you do want to hear can be heard loud and clear. The 3.5-litre V6 engine for example. This is beautiful engine. With 306bhp and 375NM it has more than enough power to give the Germans a run for their money. For the sake of comparison a BMW 335i has 306bhp, an Audi S4 has 333bhp, a Mercedes C350 has 306, and a Volvo S60 T6 has 304bhp. With the exception of the Mercedes, all its rivals are either turbo or supercharged. The Lexus is all natural. It’s a clever engine using Toyota’s twin injection technology which combine direct fuel injection with traditional injection systems. I won’t get into deep technicalities as I don’t actually know how this works but what it translates power delivery is crisp and linear. The 3.5-litre V6 has also featured in the Ward’s Top 10 engines list a number of times and is also the same engine used in the Lotus Evora. Quite the accolades. And it shows. The engine has great responses and makes a fantastic noise. It’s not as operatic as an Italian V6 or as deep and bellowy as a German. Rather, it has a sort of mechanical rasp to it. It sounds a bit like Godzilla gargling metallic ball bearings. It’s got the speed to match the noise too. 0-100 km/h is done in 5.9 seconds which is verging on Porsche territory and top speed is 250. But while numbers tell one story, in reality it’s a whole different story.

One thing I didn’t mention in the interior was the dial for to adjust the driving modes. Located where a Mercedes COMAND dial would be, I kept turning it at first thinking I was going changing menus on the screen. But it turns out I was engaging Sport mode. It’s a nice looking dial with four settings. Turn it left for Eco which as the name suggests optimises economy. Important in a car with a 3.5-litre V6. Though it has to be said it doesn’t really do much to help the cause, it still has a sports saloon thirst. It doesn’t get better should you turn it to right and engage Sport mode. This holds the gears a bit long so you are able to enjoy the noise and performance a bit more. Turn right once more and it goes into Sport+ mode which turns everything up to 11. This weights up the steering, optimises the suspension, brakes, transmission, and throttle responses for sporty driving. Suffice to say this was my favourite setting. It transforms the IS from a comfortable motorway cruiser into a out-and-out sports saloon. Coupled with the F Sport pack which brings along lowered suspension, beefier brakes, and bigger wheels, it certainly pay dividends on a twisty stretch of road. It puts the F in ‘Fun’.

All these things; being comfortable, full laden with gadgets, and well built are what we’ve come to expect from Lexus. But what I didn’t expect was a massive dosage of fun. Being rear-wheel drive, the handling dynamics were impressive and felt properly sporty. The balance was there, though it did lack a certain poise and finesse certain rivals have. That said, it does weigh a fair bit (1640kg). With that in mind, it does shift well. Body roll is virtually non existent. The car’s turn in is great, the weighted steering gives good feedback. Yes it’s electrically assisted but you can feel the road through the wheel which is great as it allows you to place the IS exactly where you want to on the road. It’s responsive too without being too tricky. Another plus of it being rear-driven is that you get a sense of being pushed through the corners rather than being pulled. The handling is progressive and predictable with the driver aids such as DSC keeping you in check. Even in the rain and on mountain roads the IS felt safe and secure. It looks after you while letting you feel like a hero driving it. The feeling of being a racing driver is aided by the brilliant paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. These are connected to an 8-speed auto which provide quick changes in manual. This isn’t some fancy dual-clutch system, it’s a traditional torque converter auto but none would be the wiser. Actually, it’s taken from the IS F and also works as a reminder just how far autos have come in recent years.

When you’re done blasting up and down mountain roads in it, simply push the drive mode selector down to put it back into normal mode. Take the transmission out of manual mode and leave it to its own devices. Driving it around town is easy and in some ways as enjoyable as driving it aggressively. Visibility is good all round, a rare thing in modern cars, and the steering and ride ease up. It turns the chore of everyday commuting into a relaxing drive. You get a sense of security in the knowledge that the car has a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating. It also takes care of tedious task such as turning on the wipers and headlights automatically turn when required. In fact, the Lexus IS comes with so many gadgets as standard it could teach the Germans a lesson or two.

The IS range starts from $73,995 for the IS250 and tops out at $108,395 for the IS350 Limited. My test car was the $105,995 IS350 F Sport and came with everything you could ever need. A fantastic 3.5-litre V6 engine, Sat nav, iPod connectivity (2 USB ports), Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors (the combo makes parking the IS easy peasy), 15 speaker Mark Levinson sound system, electric heated and cooled front seats, leather on the seats, steering wheel, gearstick, and door trim, that cool virtual speedo, voice control, auto HID headlights with DRLs, auto wipers, tyre pressure monitoring system, dual zone climate control, keyless entry and start, blind spot assist, lane departure warning, radar-guided cruise control, and a pre-collision system. Also included in the list price is Lexus’ 4-year warranty which takes care of everything - including wear and tear. There’s a lot more to list but I haven’t got the time. But you get the main jist, this is a well equipped car and against the Germans offers great value.

Ah, now the Germans. I’ve tried to put off talking about its rivals for some time. It’s closest rival and the car that’s been sitting smugly at the top of the compact executive throne for some time is the BMW 3-Series. No one will argue that the 3-Series is the sportiest drive in this segment but I’m not convinced by it. Sure, it’s a capable car and has proven to be a success but I’d rather something a bit different. The Audi A4 suffers from the same issue. There are far too many on the road but only because its a hugely desirable car and is actually pretty good. Despite its age. My favourite German is the Mercedes C-Class and the new version will be in NZ soon so it’ll be interesting to see what that’s like. As the only W204 (the outgoing C) model I’ve driven is the C63 I can’t really do a fair comparison. But the C-Class was a bit better for adults in the back. Then there’s the Volvo S60. It’s a lovely car though easily overlooked. The interior isn’t as stylish as the Lexus and I’m not entirely sure the Volvo brand carries the same sort of prestige as Lexus. Crucially though, the Volvo is front-wheel biased whereas the Lexus is rear.

The IS350 F Sport then, it’s literally a car of two halves. And that sums up quite nicely. On the one hand you’ve got a car that’s smooth, comfortable, and relaxing. A car that works driving around a city centre as effortlessly as it does on a motorway journey. On the other hand, it’s a grin-enticing sports saloon with the power and handling to challenge Europe’s finest. The IS shows Lexus is going in the right direction. Not just in terms of dynamics and styling but also in terms of identity. After driving the IS I’m convinced Lexus have now found their place in the crowded market. They’ve become more confident with their cars and will no doubt gain more fans by doing so. Gone are the days where they’re tailing behind the Germans. They’re paving their own path and fellow luxury Japanese brands are following their direction. They’re still an alternative to the Germans but it’ll be interesting to see where Lexus and the F Sport brand will go next.

Verdict: 9/10 Pros: Style, distinctive exterior design, faultless build quality, interior design, the smell, analogue clock, that speedo, Remote Touch isn’t distractive, generous standard kit, grunty V6 engine, makes a good noise too, uncompromised ride and handling, 8-speed auto is a gem, clever safety, Cons: Middle seat isn’t the most usable, drinks like a proper sports saloon, the footbrake, Lexus are always on about the “Passionate Pursuit of Perfection” and I think with the IS350 F Sport they’ve damn nearly done it. It’s a hard car to fault because it’s ability to do everything brilliantly.