Stylish inside and out; upscale cabin; adult-friendly back seat; strong acceleration in IS 350; generous equipment list
So-so fuel economy; outdated engine in IS 250; convertible is an older design
The IS lineup receives only minor detail changes. See the 2015 Lexus IS models for sale near you
The best IS really depends on your driving needs. For drivers who don't need power or performance, the IS 250 may be fine. Shoppers who need a little more muscle might upgrade to the IS 350, while those who want the ultimate in handling and performance might find the IS 350 F Sport to be an easy choice. Find a Lexus IS for sale
The 2015 Lexus IS lineup consists of two trim levels: IS 250 and IS 350. All-wheel drive is optional on both (sedans only).
The IS 250 sedan ($37,475) includes standard perks such as 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, LED running lights, selectable driving modes that alter the car's feel, paddle shifters, dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, an 8-in central infotainment display, a color 4.2-in TFT driver information display and real-time traffic and weather with no subscription required. The audio system is an 8-speaker setup with Bluetooth/USB connectivity.
The IS 350 sedan ($40,990) adds the larger V6 engine but is otherwise similarly equipped.
Options include 18-in wheels (mesh-style for IS 250, 5-spoke for IS 350), a navigation system (which includes a rearview camera and the mouselike Remote Touch Interface), a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-departure warning system, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control with collision mitigation.
There are also a few packages on offer. The Premium package adds LED headlights and heated/cooled seats. The Luxury package consists of the Premium package plus rain-sensing wipers, enhanced exterior mirrors, leather upholstery, a power tilt-telescopic steering wheel (heated on all-wheel-drive models), driver memory functions and wood interior trim. The F Sport package starts with the LED headlights and adds 18-in staggered-width alloy wheels, unique front-end styling, a sport-tuned suspension (with adaptive dampers on the rear-wheel-drive IS 350), exclusive TFT instrument displays, heated and cooled sport front seats, an F Sport steering wheel (heated on all-wheel-drive models), aluminum pedals and optional variable-ratio steering (rear-wheel-drive IS 350 only).
The IS 250 C convertible ($44,285) gets some of the same standard features as the sedan, such as 17-in wheels and dual-zone climate control. However, its previous-generation interior does not offer the Remote Touch Interface, and it also lacks the sedan's standard xenon headlights and LED running lights (they're optional), upgraded instrumentation, nicer materials and various other elements.
The IS 350 C convertible ($48,565) gets the bigger V6 but is otherwise similarly equipped.
IS C options roughly mirror those of the IS sedan, though the optional navigation system is a much older version with a touchscreen display and different software.
| Sedan | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS 250 4dr Sport Sdn AWD | $39,085 / $36,350 | 6 Cylinder | 204 | 20 / 27 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD / AWD4WD |
| IS 250 4dr Sport Sdn Crafted Line AWD | $43,690 / $40,707 | 6 Cylinder | 204 | 20 / 27 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD / AWD4WD |
| IS 250 4dr Sport Sdn Crafted Line RWD | $41,440 / $38,614 | 6 Cylinder | 204 | 21 / 30 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD / AWD4WD |
| IS 250 4dr Sport Sdn RWD | $36,550 / $33,993 | 6 Cylinder | 204 | 21 / 30 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD / AWD4WD |
The 2015 Lexus IS sedan comes standard with stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and no fewer than 10 airbags. The IS C convertible has four airbags. The available adaptive cruise control feature includes a collision-mitigation system that senses imminent frontal impacts and that can apply the brakes if necessary.
In government crash tests, the 2015 IS sedan scored a total of five stars out of five, including four stars for front impacts and five stars for side impacts. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) deemed the IS sedan Good (its highest rating) in the two tests conducted (the moderate-overlap front and side tests). The IS C convertible has not been crash-tested.
| Basic | 4 Years/50,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 6 Years/70,000 Miles |
| Corrosion | 6 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Maintenance | 1 Years/10,000 Miles |
2015 BMW 3 Series -- The 3 Series is the dynamic star among the IS model's rivals. Pricing is generally higher, but some will happily pay the premium for its badge and handling prowess.
2015 Infiniti Q50 -- The Q50 doesn't offer an IS 250 competitor, but it now touts a hybrid variant that may interest environmentally conscious shoppers.
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class -- While it's not as sporty as the IS, some shoppers prefer the Mercedes brand cachet and its upscale interior.
Used Lexus GS -- Want to stay in the Lexus family? The midsize GS is a more capable car overall, and a certified pre-owned example is easy to find in the IS sedan's price bracket.
Here’s our list for the 10 Best Compact Luxury Cars Under $20,000.
