Automotive Review

The 2011 Lexus IS 250 looks the part of a sport sedan, and this years minor face-lift adds to the athletic appearance. New oblique front fascia strakes and optional LED daytime running lights definitely increase the sense of visual aggression. But are appearances enough, or IS 250 is weak in this letterman jacket? With only a 2.5-liter V6, the IS 250 is a bit like a bench warmer junior football team. But hey, it still gets to wear a jacket, right? 

Under the edgy exterior, the IS 250 is as smooth as your typical Lexus. Comfort and luxury to take priority over performance, and the car gets your attention with the leading cabin and solid workmanship. On the highway, the IS 250 is almost silent in operation and isolate occupants from the harsh outside world. 

Focus on comfort comes at the expense of athletic, however. When you try to have fun, there are a lot of body roll, and the lifeless steering does little to encourage excitement. This is further compounded by a 204-horsepower 2.5-liter V6 that achieve good fuel economy but does not have the oomph to stir the soul. 

In defense, the Lexus IS 250 does offer some performance upgrades through the new F Sport package and accessories dealer-installed. Then again, if the buyer is really interested in a sporty Lexus IS, they can always upgrade to a more powerful IS 350 or IS raucous F. Unfortunately, this IS all variants suffer from lack of interior space. A narrow rear seat headroom is limited and may deter those who frequently shuttle passengers a few. 

On either side of the scale comfort / performance 2011 Lexus IS 250 remains the second-stringers between star athletes. Buyers who lean towards convenience will find the same luxury and more space in the alternative that includes the 2011 Acura TL 2011 Audi A4 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Mercedes C-Class and the 2011 Volkswagen CC. And if you want real performance to go along with a sporty appearance, you should check out the BMW 3 Series or Infiniti G Sedan.