First Drive: 2014 Lexus IS

[Mr. Burns]

The comparison is a familiar one, with the compact Bimmer having a target on its rear bumper for several decades now. Everyone from Cadillac to Infiniti wants to build the next 3, both for bragging rights and to reap the rewards in sales.

So to make a long story short, the answer is: No. But to make a long story long, there’s one particular reason why, and it’s hardly a bad thing.

And let’s not forget, even BMW didn’t manage to build the next 3 Series, choosing instead to dilute the car’s raw driving characteristics in favor of improved luxury and everyday usability. So if BMW can’t do it while meeting the increasing demands of buyers, how would we expect Lexus to?

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...ideo-2312.html

[Ammo]

Disappointing the 250 doesn't get the 8-speed.

But it sounds like a winner, overall.

[bballr4567]

Ive always like the way the IS looked but not the way it drove.

I will say having TWO rotary knobs along with a gear shifter is really strange to me.

[63GrandSport001]

I feel sorry for the BMW 3 series, it was beaten by both the ATS and Mercedes C class and will probably be beaten by this car as well.

[germeezy1]

I am not sure that this IS moves the goalpost far enough forward especially if it is not as good to drive as the current car. Which is a surprise seeing how far the current GS has came dynamically, and in desirability in many other ways.

[mercy09]

Anybody else notice the Lexus logo in the perforations on the leather seats?

[big swede]

I am not sure that this IS moves the goalpost far enough forward especially if it is not as good to drive as the current car. Which is a surprise seeing how far the current GS has came dynamically, and in desirability in many other ways.

I'll be surprised if it's not a much better car dynamically. It already has a double wishbone front and the new car steals the excellent rear suspension from the GS. I didn't watch the video yet so I'm not sure if this car has the optional active suspension that everyone loves on the GS.

[CaddyLac10]

It seems like a very nice car, but it appears that it has fallen short on the element that it will be most critically judged by compared to the 3 or truthfully, the ATS. The overall package will need to be very good to battle in the top three spots and it appears to be a leg down in driving dynamics.

[mchicha]

This car always looked great. Too bad they are not even bothering to go after Cadillac

[Mr. Burns]

The F-sport model has the active suspension and pulled 0.91G on the skidpad. The best the 3er did was 0.88G.

[Pedal 2 Metal]

I'm glad Lexus is sticking to their roots. If you want a car with BMW handling, then get a BMW. Lexus excels in opulence and attention to detail. I mean if they want to shoot for BMW on top of that, then great. More power to them. But it's not worth it if it means dropping the ball on what they're good at.

[Ammo]

The interior looks really nice on top of what they said about the handling characteristics.

Will be interested in the fuel economy of the AWD 250 along with the horsepower. The 204 of the current model is not enough (and neither is the 27 MPG highway).

[RedSkyBlackDream]

2.5 V6 200HP in the Lexus IS
2.5 4 cylinder 202HP in the Cadillac ATS?

Am I missing something? As for the IS, those gauges from the LFA are whats happening! I love them! Caddy needs something like those in the ATS.

[Ammo]

2.5 V6 200HP in the Lexus IS
2.5 4 cylinder 202HP in the Cadillac ATS?

Am I missing something? As for the IS, those gauges from the LFA are whats happening! I love them! Caddy needs something like those in the ATS.

The next IS 250 is supposed to be getting a turbo 4.

[mchicha]

I'm glad Lexus is sticking to their roots. If you want a car with BMW handling, then get a BMW. Lexus excels in opulence and attention to detail. I mean if they want to shoot for BMW on top of that, then great. More power to them. But it's not worth it if it means dropping the ball on what they're good at.

Perhaps they are just acknowledging that they cannot out engineer BMW, unlike Cadillac which set out to out engineer them and did it.

2.5 V6 200HP in the Lexus IS
2.5 4 cylinder 202HP in the Cadillac ATS?

Am I missing something? As for the IS, those gauges from the LFA are whats happening! I love them! Caddy needs something like those in the ATS.

The ATS gauges are very business of driving like, no distractions, you want a sophisticated cluster there is the XTS, you can play with it as you glide along.


Otherwise Cadillac's Interior is next generation, advanced technology, no buttons from the 80's.

However I agree with you, Lexus is good at interior exellence.