2017 Lexus IS 200t and IS 300h Review | Lexus Luxury Fronts Up With A Fresh Face
Refreshed for the 2017 model year with revised front end styling and a new 10.3-inch infotainment screen, the Lexus IS line has been given a light tweak to keep it up to date with its prestige competitors.
The new face, though no less polarising, brings the look of the IS into line with its larger sibling, the GS - and the new widescreen, infotainment display gives a high-tech feel to the well crafted interior.
A few minor changes to suspension and handling round-out the update, with Lexus confident that the subtle facelift will help it keep momentum against a competitive set of compact luxury sedans.
Vehicle Style: Prestige medium sedan
Price: $70,310 IS 300h F Sport, $78,040 IS 200t Sports Luxury (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 164kW/221Nm 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol hybrid | CVT automatic, 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol | 8sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 4.9 l/100km | Tested: 6.3 l/100km (IS 300h)
OVERVIEW
Lexus hasn’t altered the lineup for its IS range, with three distinct engine variants, the turbocharged four-cylinder IS 200t, the petrol electric hybrid IS 300h and the performance skewed IS 350 with a free-revving naturally aspirated 3.5 litre V6.
Each of those engine variants is offered with three distinct trim levels: Luxury, F Sport, and Sports Luxury, with the F Sport boasting unique styling touches inside and out to give it a more aggressive look.