IT’S one of the crucial well-known nameplates in Lexus historical past. The IS has lengthy been a favorite of these on the lookout for an inexpensive means into the posh automotive model, and now a brand new model lands in 2021, loaded with know-how. It has a recent new look too.
It’s accessible in two variants, the ‘base’ mannequin Luxurious examined right here, and the F Sport, which amongst different issues, will get a extra aggressive styling package deal, higher suspension, additional driving modes and improved tuning.
There’s no denying that the IS 300 Luxurious we’re testing here’s a rattling nice trying automotive. From its 18-inch alloy wheels to that spindle grille, it’s each bit an opulent trying automotive. Bi-LED headlights with washers, and LED DRLs full the entrance finish.
The signature Lexus taillights are current too, with twin chrome exhausts and a rear diffuser. Inside, there’s loads of goodness too, with a ten.3-inch infotainment system that could be a touchscreen. Sure, you learn that accurately, it’s a touchscreen.
The normal Lexus distant management pad and dial setup remains to be current, and it’s nonetheless fiddly, however now you may attain out and contact the display. Whilst you’re feeling that cup you may setup your Apple CarPlay and Android Auto too.
We’re being a bit cheeky right here, but it surely’s nice to see all this know-how goodness within the Lexus IS 300 Luxurious. It’s been a very long time coming and it makes what was already a reasonably good package deal, that significantly better. It’s bought satellite tv for pc navigation with dwell visitors too.
Different inside options embody a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, twin zone local weather management air-con, sensible and push button begin, energy heated entrance seats, the Lexus app suite, Bluetooth, and DAB+ digital radio. There’s a wi-fi telephone charger as properly.
The inside, if something, feels somewhat dated. It’s stunning, however dated, if that is sensible. That might be a design and color scheme factor, that merely makes it really feel oddly previous, or it might be as a result of it feels somewhat just like the earlier technology did.
The usual inside color scheme is black and black metallic, nevertheless sure exterior color choices get further selections, together with darkish rose and black metallic, and ochre and black metallic.
There’s a 480-litre boot that’s good for loads of baggage, and possibly some golf golf equipment too. You can see that the IS 300 struggles for rear leg room although, it’s tight again there, particularly if the entrance seat occupants are tall, or like their seating set again.
We virtually squished our grownup rear seat passenger, and never just because it was this writer’s spouse. That’s a joke youngsters, don’t get excited. Suffice to say she wasn’t joyful having the entrance seat up towards her legs in a traditional driving place.
The Lexus IS 300 is powered by a 2.0-litre 4 cylinder petrol engine, delivering 180kW of energy and 350Nm of torque. It has a claimed gasoline financial system of 8.2-litres/100km. In blended driving, we managed to get down to eight.4, which is just about on the cash.
It’s mated to an 8-speed computerized transmission, with sequential and paddle shift operation. The mixture works properly collectively in Sport mode, however feels laggy and underpowered in each Eco and Regular mode.
That’s one of many issues that actually bothered us about this automotive. It’s extremely stunning to have a look at, it handles like a dream and has vastly improved know-how and security over earlier iterations. It simply lacks actual oomph except you’ve gone full Sport.
Which additionally means it lacks rise up and go except you’re pushing it arduous. There’s an actual disconnect from a driver’s perspective within the two ‘commonplace’ drive modes, and the automotive feels, dare we are saying it, somewhat lazy.
It’s one of many most secure automobiles within the section although, with 10 airbags, blind spot monitoring with rear cross visitors auto brake, a reversing digital camera with rear-guide help, and entrance and rear parking sensors. It comes with the Lexus Security System as properly.
This provides pre-collision security, together with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection (the latter within the daytime solely), emergency steering help, lane hint help, street signal help, energetic cruise management, auto excessive beam, and lane departure warning with sway detection.
There’s additionally car stability and traction management, hill-start help, ABS, EBD with brake help, SOS emergency name, computerized collision notification, and stolen car monitoring.
You possibly can have your 2021 Lexus IS 300 Luxurious in Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Iridium (as examined), Graphite Black, Vermillion or Celestial Blue. It’s not a big color vary, however there’s just about one thing for many followers of understated luxurious automobiles.
It’s eligible for the corporate’s Encore possession program, which features a service mortgage automotive, capped worth servicing, invites to unique occasions, roadside help, reductions on inns and a gasoline provide with Caltex. It comes with a 4-year 100,000km guarantee.
In its commonplace, as examined kind, you may have a 2021 Lexus IS 300 Luxurious for $69,229 drive away, however two enhancement packs can be found so as to add some a lot wanted goodies. Enhancement Pack 1 provides a tilt and slide moonroof for about $2000.
We fairly frankly wouldn’t trouble with that choice, except you actually need a sunroof. Enhancement Pack 2 then again, now that’s a distinct story. It provides the identical moonroof, 19-inch alloys, and a panoramic/360 diploma view monitor.
However wait, there’s extra. It additionally drops in a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, electrical rear sunshade, higher LED headlights, stainless-steel scuff plates, Sumimoku ornamentation, ventilated entrance seats, a wise entry key card and extra leather-based.
It does nevertheless add near $6,000 to the usual car drive away worth. That mentioned, we’d chunk the bullet, and add the pack, if we have been shopping for a brand new IS 300. It’s a little bit of a no brainer to achieve all the additional goodies. Both means, it’s a properly priced luxurious automotive.
Our check car was offered by Lexus Australia. To search out out extra concerning the 2021 Lexus IS 300 Luxurious, contact your native Lexus supplier.
