While the Lexus IS, in this case the 250, is a striking looking sedan, everything else about it is distinctly familiar and intuitive. Aside from its looks, the IS has a lot to offer as a great daily driver, as CNET’s Brian Cooley explains in the video.
The engine is very important for a daily driver – it needs to be both economical and decently punchy, and the 250 strikes that balance. It may not be a screamer by American standards, but 205 hp and zero to sixty in 7.7 seconds is actually quite quick.
The IS gets another tick in the interior evaluation box. Its dashboard is ergonomic and easy to operate/understand, and while it deeply contrasts the flamboyant exterior, that’s actually a good thing. The only issue the reviewer had was with the mouse-like controller for the infotainment – he said a clicking rotary knob would have been better.