Lexus IS 350 Review

Most entry-level luxury sedans are a compromise between luxury comforts and performance attributes. The horsepower might be there, but the handling might be on the softer side to accommodate as many different tastes as possible. Lexus, however, provides a clever alternative to this compromise -- the company offers two entry-level sedan models, with the IS line specialized for performance.

2008 Lexus IS 350 4dr Sedan

The Lexus IS 350 (and its lesser-powered sibling, the IS 250) considerably improves on the first-generation IS sport sedan in terms of style and performance. With its potent V6 engine, sharp reflexes, aggressive exterior styling and the latest techno-gadgets, this sedan has no major weaknesses. It's one of our top choices for a luxury sport sedan, though test drives of the most popular vehicles in this segment are wise, as each model provides varying degrees of driver interaction. You'll want to find the one that suits you best.

Current Lexus IS 350

The rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS 350 is available in one body style, a four-door sedan, and with only one engine, a robust 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It pushes the car from zero to 60 in 5.6 seconds, which, by the way, is firmly in sports car territory. The IS 350 comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. There is no manual option.

Picking out an IS 350 is pretty simple; there's only one trim level. It's very well equipped and includes 17-inch wheels, leather seats, power front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, a moonroof and an impressive audio system with a six-CD changer. There's an auxiliary jack for MP3 players, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker 300-watt 7.1 surround-sound audio system is available individually or as part of an option package that also includes a voice-activated navigation system.

Two other option packages worth considering are the Luxury package, which adds heated seats and HID headlights, and the Sport package, which comes with 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and sporty interior details, such as aluminum pedals.

Even without options, the Lexus IS 350 comes with a well-crafted interior. It is attractive and features high-quality materials. The front and rear seats are built more for comfort than support, which sheds some light on the difference between the IS 350 and its more performance-centric German counterparts. Like most small luxury sedans, rear seating isn't very spacious, and the Lexus has less rear legroom than many of its competitors.

In reviews and road tests, our editors found the Lexus IS 350 to be a dynamic sport sedan. As impressive as its quickness is the engine's broad and eager power spread. Handling is sharp, but it's still a Lexus, so the drive is perhaps not quite as thrilling as one might get from a BMW or Infiniti. A precise but numb steering rack and a muted exhaust note further this impression. Still, this attribute could be good news for buyers looking for a sport-oriented luxury sedan that's perfectly suitable for daily commutes.


Past Lexus IS 350 models

The Lexus IS 350, which debuted for the 2006 model year, is still in its first generation. Previously, Lexus offered the IS 300. Available as a four-door sedan or wagon, the IS 300 was known for its outstanding driving dynamics but rather drab cabin. It also wasn't as luxurious, roomy or powerful as the current IS 350, but as an affordable used luxury sport sedan, it's worth a look. It was sold from 2001-'05.

Lotus Elise Review

While two-seat sports cars have become more comfortable, more reliable and safer in recent decades, they have also become rather portly. If you wanted both performance and light weight in one machine, you had to give up that new-car smell and start shopping the classifieds. But all that ended with the introduction of the Lotus Elise roadster to the U.S. market in 2005. It's actually been on sale overseas since '96, but European demand for the vehicle along with stringent U.S. crash standards kept it from crossing the pond until more recently.

2008 Lotus Elise Convertible

Meeting U.S. crash standards required the addition of airbags and other safety features that add weight. But Lotus knew that even sports car fans in this country would have trouble giving up comfort for the sake of extreme performance, so the U.S. Lotus Elise comes standard with air-conditioning, antilock brakes and a CD audio system. But don't look for stability control or power steering on this sports car. Lotus was willing to bend, but not break its "simplificate, then add lightness" rule for American tastes by keeping the U.S. Elise's curb weight under 2,000 pounds. That made it easily the lightest performance car sold in this country.

With so little weight to push around, power requirements are minimal. The Lotus Elise features a Toyota-sourced (and Yamaha-built) 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. It's the same high-revving mill that's been used in Toyotas such as the Celica GT-S and Corolla XRS, but in this case it's been tuned by Lotus to broaden the power band and bump horsepower to 190. That's more than enough power to slingshot the Elise to 60 mph in under 5 seconds flat.

There's no doubt the Lotus Elise is a special car -- for the money, you simply won't find a more thrilling driving experience. Just be aware that it's also a no-frills, race-oriented machine. Those desiring an exciting roadster that can provide more day-to-day functionality will want to order the Elise's optional Touring Package or check out other more comfortable-riding European and Japanese rivals. If you want even more excitement, consider the Sport Package option.

Current Lotus Elise

The Lotus Elise is a two-seat midengine roadster available in one trim level. The interior is understandably spartan, and the standard air-conditioning can be deleted to save even more weight. Several options packages, such as the Touring Package and Sport Package, offer a bit of customization. To maximize protection, a hardtop roof is available as a stand-alone option.

Power for the Lotus Elise comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Toyota-sourced engine benefits from Lotus-designed intake and exhaust components and a tweaked engine controller. The result is a broader power band and an increase in output to 190 hp at 7,800 rpm and 138 pound-feet of torque at 6,800 rpm.

As far as safety equipment, don't expect much more than federally mandated items -- antilock brakes are included and traction control is optional, but neither stability control nor side airbags are offered.

Interior accommodations are pure sports car: Lightly padded composite sport seats provide plenty of support and controls are simple enough to keep your attention on the road. The wide door sills and low steering wheel require some fancy body motions and footwork when entering or exiting the vehicle, however. Naturally, the Elise's cockpit emphasizes driving above all else and there are minimal comfort and storage features for longer road trips.

The non-power steering feels as natural as anything we've ever driven and the 1.8-liter engine is indeed tuned to be very responsive, with plenty of torque. Braking is handled by AP Racing and Brembo calipers with 11.5-inch rotors all around. It all adds up to a car that feels as race-oriented, unfiltered and capable as an Italian exotic, at roughly 1/4th the cost.

Past Lotus Elise models

Lotus introduced the Americanized "111R" version of the Elise in 2005, enabled by a three-year NHTSA exemption as the car had failed to meet U.S. bumper regulations. Changes for 2006 included the option of traction control and a limited-slip differential, lightweight forged alloy wheels and a matte black appearance package. Daytime running lights were made standard, along with LED taillights with integrated reflectors. Inside, the seat padding was upgraded for increased comfort and a new, lighter pedal set was installed to save a few more precious pounds.

Lotus Exige Review

Minimalism is the operative word behind the Lotus Exige, a dedicated sports car that will appeal to extreme enthusiasts (and probably few others). The edgy Exige is compact and built purely for ultra-high-performance driving.

2007 Lotus Exige S Coupe

Unlike other supercars, the Lotus Exige isn't powered by a massive fire-breathing V8, V10 or V12. A high-revving four-cylinder engine is all that's needed to provide extraordinary performance. This is because of the vehicle's lightweight construction. There are few amenities and little sound dampening. Weight-adding safety features are kept to the absolute minimum. As a result, the Exige makes little sense as a daily driver. But as a performance car where Lotus' mantra of "simplificate, then add lightness" is in full effect, the Exige is simply one of the quickest, most dynamic and exciting cars on the road.


Current Lotus Exige

The Lotus Exige and supercharged Exige S are hardtop coupe versions of the company's Elise roadster. When the Exige first arrived in America, it was a pleasant surprise. Britain has a long history of building small, lightweight enthusiast sports cars, but for the last quarter-century very few of them had crossed the Atlantic. The Exige, like many of those Brit performance cars, is uncompromising to such a degree that it doesn't feel legal, even by exotic car standards.

Underneath the dramatic body shell is a car built for no other purpose than to be driven hard and fast. The rear-wheel-drive sports coupe is lightweight and loud. It seats only two. Even the standard air-conditioning system can be deleted to reduce weight.

In fact with the Lotus Exige, it's all about minimizing weight. The body structure is made of aluminum. The trunk is small and there's not much additional storage space. Standard features don't include power controls. And safety features are limited to the absolute minimum, so there are no side airbags or stability control and traction control is optional. Power steering? Forget about it.

Only by purchasing the Touring Pack can you get power windows, full carpeting, sound-deadening material and a decent stereo. For the more hardcore, there is the Sport Pack, which is equipped with Eibach coaxial coil springs, Bilstein monotube dampers, forged aluminum wheels and sticky Yokohama Advan tires.

But the Sport Pack still isn't even the most extreme option. Hardcore weekend racers will definitely want to look at the Exige Track Pack, which includes a fully adjustable suspension system (for those who are mechanically inclined), a limited-slip differential and 16-inch wheels and tires up front.

The Exige is equipped with a Toyota-built, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Placed behind the driver for optimum weight distribution (and maximum cabin volume), the engine puts out 190 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The Exige S adds a Roots-type supercharger supplying 7.25 psi of boost, which results in ratings of 220 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. Both models have a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. Zero-to-60 mph acceleration for both cars happens in fewer than 5 seconds.

In our reviews, we found the Lotus Exige to be the most precise-handling car on the market. It's like a hummingbird on four wheels. It's more of a quick car than a crazy fast car. Since it was designed with the road course in mind, stopping and steering are just as important as acceleration. And while it was built to do everything well, it wasn't built for everyone in mind. The ride is harsh, getting in and out is difficult and outward visibility is extremely poor. But for die-hard enthusiasts, there might not be a more satisfying drive.


Past Lotus Exige models

The Exige arrived in the North American market for 2006. In that first year, only the regular model was available -- the Exige S debuted a year later. An earlier Exige (based on the first-generation Elise) was also built but it was never officially imported.