2014 Lexus IS Line Verdict

What do people expect when they buy a Lexus? For a long time, the answer was a luxury car on par with the Germans, but without the repair bill. As of late, you can add to that a dose of sportiness. I discovered when living with the complete IS lineup for the past 12 months that Lexus delivers on both.

The complete lineup? Yes, indeed. Lexus suggested that, rather than loan us one car for 12 months, it would instead loan us one of each IS model for four months at a time so we could experience the full lineup. We agreed, and I took delivery first of a silver IS 250. That car was replaced by a dark blue IS 350 AWD, which was replaced with a white IS 350 F Sport.

In total, I put 18,039 miles on the three cars: 5441 on the 250, 5810 on the 350 AWD, and 6788 on the 350 F Sport. Per Lexus, all three should have seen average fuel economy within a few miles per gallon of each other, and my driving, as well as our Real MPG testing, confirmed that. The 250 is rated at 21/30/24 mpg (city/highway/combined) and I observed 22.2 mpg. (It was not tested by our Real MPG team.) The 350 AWD is rated at 19/26/21 mpg and returned Real MPG results of 20/29/23 mpg. I observed 22.1 mpg. The 350 F Sport is rated at 19/28/22 and saw 21/28/24 mpg results in Real MPG testing. I drove the sporty model harder than the other cars and saw 21.8 mpg. The consistency across differing engines and drivetrains is impressive, though the combined and observed MPG are both low for the class in all three cases.

© Provided by MotorTrend 2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Equally consistent was the cost of maintenance: zero. Each car went in for one service during its stay, all prompted by a message displayed on the information screen in the gauge cluster. The 250 and 350 F Sport both received an inspection, while the 350 AWD also had its tires rotated. Each was free, as the first two scheduled service visits are complimentary for all Lexus vehicles. Unlike my previous long-term vehicle, a BMW 328i Sport, none of the Lexi suffered a breakdown or a malfunctioning component during its stay-- granted, they stayed for a third the length of time and mileage each. The only trouble I experienced was a dead battery in the 350 F Sport after parking it for a long weekend. No lights were left on and the dealer found no battery or charging issue. The problem never returned.

The cars delivered on reliability, then. On luxury, they also performed well. All three were crypt-quiet inside and rode nicely despite their sporting pretenses. The engines and powertrains were smooth; the stereos produced rich, clear sound; the interior materials were top quality; and the seats were among the most comfortable in the class. There were a few small issues, though. Both 350s had dash panels that slightly misaligned just below the engine start/stop button, and loose transmission selector knobs. Lexus' Remote Touch entertainment system controller was less intuitive than it ought to be and didn't work as well as the German competition's. On the other hand, Lexus' temperature controls are easily the best touch-sensitive controls on the market. Rear seat legroom was small for the class. The fact that seat position memory is not a standard feature is inexcusable.

© Provided by MotorTrend 2014 Lexus IS 350 AWD What about that sportiness? The chassis is one of the most noticeable upgrades to this new generation of IS. The car is much more responsive than previous models, with sharper turn-in, better handling, and better chassis control. Grip is generally unimpeachable, mid-corner bumps are handled with authority, and the brakes are resilient in the face of prolonged performance driving. All of this comes with the caveat, though, that you do not do anything to trigger the stability control— if you do, you shall be severely punished. Even the F Sport will grab the brakes hard and cut all throttle should a wheel begin to slip, and it will not return control of the throttle for what feels like an eternity. The sleeping dragon that is stability control is difficult to wake, but if you do, you will feel its wrath.

There's also the matter of actual performance. Compared to the competition, all three models are down on power and subsequently slow in a straight line. The 350s feel quick enough that I can't grouse much, but the 250 is downright lethargic for the class. In the corners, though, all three cars put up respectable numbers on par with the competition. These are momentum cars -- they're better when you can keep the speed up and the RPMs high, where their naturally aspirated power lies.

A year with the Lexus IS line, then, confirms expectations. They're comfortable, reliable cars that are also sporty in a corner. They're not the most fun or emotional cars in the class, but they won't sock you with horrendous repair bills, and that's a pretty good trade for most people. As long as you're one of the ones who likes the way they look. I still haven't warmed up to the predator face.

More on our long-term 2014 Lexus IS:

• Arrival
• IS Update 1: IS 250 - Confirming the Verdict
• IS Update 2: IS 250 - Life on the Inside
• IS Update 3: IS 350 AWD - More Engine, More Wheels Driven
• IS Update 4: IS 350 AWD - It's the Little Things
• IS Update 5: IS 350 F Sport - F Marks The Spot
• IS Update 6: IS 350 F Sport - Remote Trouble

© Provided by MotorTrend 2014 Lexus IS 250

© Provided by MotorTrend 2014 Lexus IS