We drive the 64mpg Lexus IS 300h Luxury hybrid, a rival for the likes of the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series
Verdict
The new Lexus IS excels in some areas and falls woefully short in others. While the design is stunning, the quality is impeccable and the handling has improved over its predecessor, the powertrain is slow, noisy and unresponsive. For fleet drivers, the class-leading CO2 emissions, premium image and impressive refinement will make it an attractive proposition, but real world economy will be far less than the claimed figures. So for anyone that values driving pleasure and keeps one eye on economy, we'd stick with a diesel.
The new Lexus IS has a mountain to climb - not only is it launching into a shrinking market segment, but it has the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes C-Class to beat. But rather than copying the competition, Lexus is forging its own path by ditching diesel engines and putting its faith in hybrids instead.
Only two versions of the IS will be available from launch - the IS 250, with a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6, and the IS 300h driven here, which combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and an electric motor for a total of 220bhp. It returns class-leading economy of 65.7mpg and emissions of 99g/km in SE trim, but thanks to its larger alloys the Luxury model we drove is marginally less efficient at 64.3mpg and 103g/km.
Abandoning diesel might seem like madness, but Lexus has its reasons. It claims the hybrid driving experience is smoother and quieter, the total of cost of ownership is almost £1,000 less per year than an Audi A4 2.0 TDI and low emissions make it a no-brainer for company car users.
The styling alone should steal some sales from its more conservative competition. Boomerang LED running lights, the now-familiar spindle grille and tailights that taper to a fine point all look fantastic, but retain a definite Japanese flavour. The interior takes its inspiration from the CT200h and the build quality is exceptional - there's an extra 85mm of legroom over the previous IS in the back, too.
Lexus claims it has built the most engaging car to drive in the class, which is a little far-fetched, but there are clear improvements over the old car. Suspension that's 20 per cent stiffer and with new geometry means there's good body control in the corners, despite the 300h weighing 60kg more than if it had just a four-cylinder diesel under the bonnet. The steering is well-weighted and direct, while the ride is firmer than before, but still softer than a 3 Series.
So the IS is quite happy going around corners, but it's the bit in between where it falls down. Coupled to the hybrid powertrain is a CVT automatic gearbox, which Lexus insists now feels more natural to drive, but from where we were sitting it proved as frustrating as ever.
Use an extremely delicate right foot and the 300h will pull away in full EV mode for a short distance before the petrol engine cuts in smoothly. Keep throttle applications delicate and you can waft along in familiar Lexus style, but extend your foot any further and the CVT 'box drones away, drowning out your conversation and any fun you might be having. Throttle response is sluggish too, so even the modest claimed 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds seems generous.
Lexus has tried to improve matters with sporty features like wheel-mounted paddles that correspond to six artificial steps in the CVT ratios, a Sport mode that's designed to sharpen the car's reactions (but in reality does very little) and a switch that let you control the level of synthesised engine noise pumped into the cabin by a speaker, but they can't salvage the situation.
Of course, all of this will matter little to fleet buyers whose choice is dictated almost entirely by CO2. For retails customers that have more freedom of choice though, don't take the racy new looks to mean a pin-sharp driving machine, this is still very much a Lexus at heart, which means keen drivers should look elsewhere.
Key specs
- Price: £30,995
- Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder, electric motor
- Transmission: CVT automatic, rear-wheel drive
- Power: 220bhp
- 0-62mph: 8.3 seconds
- Top speed: 125mph
- Economy: 64.3mpg
- CO2: 103g/km
- Equipment: Auto wipers, parking sensors, 17-inch wheels, sat-nav, climate control, leather upholstery
- On sale: Now
Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lexus/is/64062/lexus-300h#ixzz2TwjLj3Vd
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