Vehicle Detail

It wasn't too long ago that BMW had a part of a high level of sports entry. Sure, there were mid-hearted attempts to match the magic of blue and white propeller here and there, but the company’s 3 Series remained a car that should have compact-sedan buyers who love to drive. Eventually, however, rival car manufacturers began to realize that this market segment was being overlooked. That's why the number of high-performance sports sedans has been recorded in recent years - and why Lexus has decided to enter the sport by launching the IS series.

The 2009 Lexus IS 250 (and its most powerful sibling IS 350) represent the second such Lexus action, the previous generation IS 300 being the first. Basically the Japanese market Toyota recovered, this initial attempt was fun enough, but it couldn’t match the class leaders in terms of performance or refinement. The IS 250, on the other hand, is designed to meet the European and Japanese competition. It has an amazing style, sports interior, and the option to change by hand to complete its rear-wheel-drive design. In other words, the 2009 Lexus IS 250 has the needs of sports buyers.

At least, that is what the paper says. Unfortunately, driving the IS 250 is something of a downside from a fan perspective. The 2.5-liter V6 looks green and has less power when compared to the BMW 328i's silky smooth 3.0 liter inline-6, and while the IS 250's direction is accurate, it's less sensitive. The handling is quite efficient, but the IS 250 jumps up and down like a soft luxury sedan over the ridges, or with an optional sports suspension. As for the change of the rod, fuggedaboutit - is in the worst stage. All in all, it looks like the Lexus was aiming for a small sports count with this car, which is for consumers looking for a sedan-style sedan look as well as a ride-in and coddling for a comfortable entry-level ladder.

If that was the target, then the IS 250 usually strikes a bull's eye. The interior quality is excellent, the sound levels are lower than the Lexus, and the exterior of the IS 250's aggressive style compliments its sleek tuning. As a sleek-looking sedan that looks good and has a sporty taste, the IS 250 is an unparalleled success. Just know that you can be disappointed if you expect this Lexus to offer a 3 Series sedan - or an Audi A4, or an Infiniti G35, or a Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport - to run for its money when things go awry.