Just keeping up with the competition. Lexus IS 250
Lexus is a name that is very easy on the tongue and seems that it took some long and hard effort to coin it. It sounds perfect and perhaps too perfect to the point of being unable to evoke real driver emotion.
The IS 250 range is the entry level model which hopes to compete directly against the German offerings BWM 3 series, Mercedes C class and Audi A4. Although the IS has been around since 1998 and is only in its second generation, it has done a steady job technically and does not lag behind the big three.
All in all there are three main choices for the IS range namely IS250 (153 KW) , IS 220d (130 KW) and the IS350(228 kW). Sports version IS-F which is a 311 KW V8 as well as a drop-top models IS250/350C complete the line up.
South Africa has at present only the IS range with pricing starting at R328 900.00 (manual) with the most expensive model being R410 700.00 (SE auto). In general the IS250 is a good car and technically perfect as it was indented but for some reason the human elements seem to have been left behind.
Lets begin with the engine sizes for the car. The entry R328 900.00 price is arguably okay for a 153kw engine but how would Lexus justify paying R420 000 for exactly the same engine?
Furthermore the difference to put it in very simple terms between the models costing R330 000.00 and R420 000.00 is really just extras for comfort and convenience. These are better headlamps, Electronic Multi Vision display with dvd navigation, seat heating, park distance control, Mark Levinson digital surround audio system, memory for seats and steering configuration. Consumers should be give a wider choice of engines besides just the extras?
Besides the odd(in my opinion) pricing arrangement, the rear seats are also a little too cramped. In fact some owners of the car feel the IS range is overall noticeably smaller than its German competitors.
And how about the design. IS 250 very much bears similar looks to the Mazda 6 , infact one can say the Mazda was insipired by Lexus. That is where the IS’s appeal wears off a little bit. If the car was launched without the L badge it would be a little difficult to identify it as a competitor to the 3 series or C-class never mind as a Lexus. The car looks too sporty and with very little hints towards elegance and seriousness.
No one disputes that the car is of great build quality and realibility and looks sportish enough. Normally people would expect at least a power increase if paying close R100 000 more on the base model. It is taken for granted that a mid-sedan priced at R430 000 should have huge interior space. And finally people expect a car at this price range to look the part without needing its badge.
There is not that much wrong with the IS range from an engineering perspective. The car just fails a bit to connect with buyers.