Her + His Car Reviews
2016 Lexus IS 300 4-door Sedan
There are two sides to everything, right? To keep our car reviews innovative and interesting, we provide an animated, insightful, detailed and sometimes uncouth two points of view on the same car from - Her + His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $47,315 | Our IS300 AWD four door sedan has a base price of $39,700. After it was all said and done, the iS300 we tested $47,315. |
| Performance | |
| This IS with 255 horsepower, like any Lexus, is a great vehicle to drive. We enjoyed the ride of this 3.5 Liter, V6, dual overhead cam gem. It's 6 speed transmissions glided effortlessly as we accelerated around curves and corners. Paddle shifters were used to enhance a sportier feel and grab of the road, though we are always left wondering. "How many drivers use them after the second month of ownership, if at all?" Mmmmm. This model does not get a big nod when compared to its rivals. Having said that we see a tremendous crossroads in the IS300 between gallant performance and comfort creatures. |
Most people who drive a sports luxury sedan in the segment of the market that this car competes in with BMW Three Series, Audi A4 and the rest, expect lots of excitement, sound and drama with acceleration and performance. You will get the last two items, but you won't get that drama--if that is what you want--with the Lexus Is 300. It is a Lexus, remember, and Lexus is associated with quiet, effortless, seamless driving, and that is what you will get. Engage the Sport mode and the acceleration pace picks up considerably, but again, don't expect fireworks. You will be gently pushed back into the driver's seat, and if you are not careful, you will be driving very fast without so much as a hint. Meanwhile, the handling--good by any standard--becomes brilliant with that mode, and you had better be ready with quick reflexes. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 18 city/ 26 highway/ 21 overall. | The car is powered by a 3.5 liter, 255 horsepower V-6, with a six speed automatic transmission. IS300 is rated at 16miles per gallon of gas in the city, 26 on the highway and 21 miles per gallon overall. It uses 4.8 gallons of gasoline per 100 miles driven, and you will spend $2,750 more in fuel costs over five years than you will for the average new vehicle. |
| The Car | |
| Don't underestimate the 300. The IS has out-of-the gate acceleration, smooth handling and agility, and strong performance. Add in its style, count-on-able reliability, and technology and you have a winner. Four modes to travel include: ECO, Snow, Normal and Sport. Have fun choosing your pick of the day. Supported by 'hey-now' attractive 18" alloy wheels. The one draw back we had with this model was the ease in getting in and out. The bucket seats (that don't go UP high enough), make for an adjustment needed first and then to position getting out of the car. One plus for this luxury small car is that it does have a spare tire! Sound funny? Many 2016 vehicles no longer come equipped, so we like the fact that Lexus makes this necessity standard. The standard of luxury inside the IS 300 is greeted - and appreciated - by your senses at once. Plush leather, ventilated and heated seats with lumbar support, Heated Steering wheel, for best hands-on grip in the winter (no gloves required), Genuine Wood trim, Auto-dimming mirrors and so much more. For optimum capacity, the rear seats fold effortlessly 60-40. Moonroof to experience the elements! Double wishbone front and rear suspension. |
Lexus' IS300 AWD is just the ticket for those who want to avoid the obvious, and go for the road less traveled. Just about everybody aspires to own a BMW Three Series or perhaps nowadays, an Audi A4. But those of us who loathe anything that "everybody" has, and wants to make a statement with their choice of a sports sedan can go with the 2016 Lexus IS300 sedan. I call the little Lexus IS 300 the Stealth Bomber with the Velvet Glove. You will never know what hit you, but the policeman who tickets you for speeding will know exactly what is happening! But the real joy comes with the interior and how you feel behind the wheel. The IS300 happens to have the coolest, most driver-centric cockpit of any of the sports luxury cars out there. It is molded around you, and psychologically you feel that you are piloting the Stealth Bomber that we nicknamed this car. You and the controls, and the car are one, and I don't often feel that with cars in this class. By the way there is plenty of room front and back, and the trunk is quite nicely sized too. There is simply nothing to complain about---Lexus hit a home run with this one-- and I'm convinced it was designed for me--and just me. That's a heckuva feeling! |
| Safety | |
| This is where Lexus shines. Airbags Galore and Everywhere - 20 total. Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assist Button - and SOS, like "Lifeline" when you need help. Enhanced Roadside Assist 1-year subscription, and Lexus Enform Remote - also a 1-year subscription included. Home Link Garage Door Opener. Push-button start. Blind Spot Monitoring. Rain sensing Wipers. First Aid Kit included in trunk. |
Standard features include pretty much the same as you get in just about any car these days, but Lexus adds the Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which includes automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location and emergency assist button and enhanced roadside assistance with one year trial subscription included, Lexus Enform Remote that includes one year trial subscription. Safety features that are standard include: automatic collision notification system, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button for SOS; enhanced roadside assistance; Lexus Enform Remote, ten airbags of various kinds and locations, along with Push-Button Start/Stop. |
| Technology | |
| Lexus accelerates in the tech arena with its NAV system and remote touch Enform interface...for ever else, but the remote is not for you, driver! Destinations and App Suites are comp'd, Voice Command, Power tilted and telescoping steering wheel for customization. AWD. Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio streaming. The full color display includes Audio, Phone and Trip info. HD Radio with real-time Traffic and Weather updates. MP3 player, USB integration, CD, Sirius XM Radio. Intuit Park Assist. |
Standard equipment includes drive ode select with ECO, Normal, Sport and Snow settings; double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension; vehicle dynamics Integrated Management Antilock brakes electronic brakeforce distribution, and brake assist; 17 inch aluminum wheels; location specific tire pressure monitoring system; high intensity discharge headlamps; dual chrome exhaust, power slide and tilt moon roof with one touch open and close; and SmartAccess with Pushbutton start and stop.Other standard features include: rear view mirror with automatic dimming and HomeLink Garage Door opener; drivers ten way power seats including two way lumbar adjustment; Bluetooth; Lexus premium Gracenote Album Art, MP3 Player with USB Integration, CD, Sirius Satellite system and other features; Atrium display audio system that include HD Radio with real time traffic and weather, 60/40 split folding rear seat; multi-information display that includes audio, phone and trip information. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| This aggressive accordion-style grille keeps getting accentuated. And we love it. It makes Lexus so decisively Lexus. The entire vehicle flows from the front, the the back. The interior is an avatar for the exterior expression... and screams all things luxury. Color, finesse, touch points, and corners - there is no detail unexamined. | I am extremely sensitive to design, especially automotive design. Three boxes don't get it. I like controversial, interesting looks. And the IS 300 is chock full of it. Dramatic character lines. Straight out of the Origami School of Design as I call it. And that spindle front end--I LOVE it! Admit it--when you see the grille in your review mirror, you know it's a Lexus. Case closed. Let's do something eye-opening for a change, you know? I have already fallen I love with both of Lexus' newest SUVs, and can't wait to get my eager mitts on both for a week. And the RCs? Bring 'em. |
| Warranty | |
| 4 years/ 50,000 miles for Basic Coverage, 5 years/70,000 miles Powertrain. 5 years Unlimited miles for Corrosion Perforation. 24 Hour Roadside Assistance Plan. Plus 1st and 2nd scheduled service visits are complimentary. Lodging for Emergency breakdowns over 100 mi. from home. | The warranty is for four years or 50,000 miles for basic coverage, five years or 70,000 miles for the powertrain, and five years of unlimited miles for corrosion perforation warranty. |
