2013 Lexus IS Review
2013 LEXUS IS REVIEW
What’s Hot: Sumptuous interior, improved cabin space and on-road performance.
What’s Not: Thirsty V6s, styling may polarise opinion.
X-Factor: The 2013 Lexus IS is better than ever before; it’s the luxury alternative to the usual suspects from Germany.
Vehicle Style: Medium luxury sedan
Engine/trans: 153kW/252Nm 2.5 petrol V6 / 6sp auto | 133kW/300Nm 2.6 petrol-electric 4cyl / CVT | 233kW/378Nm 3.5 petrol V6 / 8sp auto
Price: $55,900 (IS 250 Luxury) to $84,000 (IS 350 Sports Luxury)
Fuel Economy claimed: 9.2 l/100km (IS 250), 4.9 l/100km (IS 300h), 9.7 l/100km (IS 350)
OVERVIEW
The new IS range is confirmation: Lexus is back.
The brand’s aggressive new spindle grille on the GS large sedan last year was just the opening salvo in a comprehensive image adjustment for the Japanese automaker.
The styling of the 2013 IS range may raise an eyebrow for some - and won’t be for everyone - but there’s no denying that the new IS has ‘presence’.
And there are more changes under the skin. It’s now bigger inside thanks to a stretched wheelbase, and although the petrol V6 engines carry over unchanged there are new transmissions, a thoroughly revised suspension and a completely-new hybrid variant.
With eight distinct models spread across the three powertrains - not to mention two option packages, ten exterior colours and five interior colours - IS buyers have never had this much choice.
It’s the broadest IS range Lexus has ever offered, and - so it turns out - the best.
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