2017 Lexus IS350 Sports Luxury Review | V6-Powered Sedan Is Showing Its Age
Football boots don’t match a two-piece suit. A racecar cannot pamper its occupants. But the 2017 Lexus IS350 Sports Luxury at least attempts to do what it says on its model designation badge – to strike a balance between two contrasting attributes.
In the premium medium-sized sedan space, the facelifted IS350 must contend with greater competition than ever, from traditional Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rivals, to outliers such as the Infiniti Q50 and Jaguar XE.
While pricing starts from $60,000 for the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder IS200t, 3.5-litre V6 versions kick off from $65,000 plus on-road costs. These are for the Luxury model grades, while the F Sport versions add $8000 or so.
This near-$85,000 Sports Luxury, meanwhile, mixes the steering and suspension of the F Sport with more luxury kit than the, er, Luxury.
Vehicle Style: Medium sedan
Price: $84,160 (plus on-road costs)
Engine/trans: 233kW/378Nm 3.5 V6 petrol | eight-speed automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 9.7 L/100km | Tested: 13.5 L/100km
OVERVIEW
A minor facelifted greeted the Lexus IS late last year. It incorporated some new active safety systems, including automatic on/off high-beam and lane-keep assistance that subtly moves the steering wheel to ensure the driver does not wander into the next lane, plus revised suspension control arms and bushes.
Outside changes are limited to a sinewy new LED headlight shape and a revised ‘spindle’ grille. There are also new 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome rear bootlid applique, but the changes are as subtle as the overall styling is ‘distinctive’.