Lexus IS review: has the hybrid come of age?

2017 Lexus IS300h driving front

In years gone by the Lexus IS has always been seen as a leftfield choice compared with the largely German opposition, which includes the Audi A4,  BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-class.

However, with demand for diesels slowly falling in the wake of the emissions scandal, and take-up for hybrid cars increasing, it could now well be time for Lexus to take its turn in the spotlight. After all, along with Toyota (which owns Lexus), this Japanese brand has been a pioneer of petrol-electric hybrid technology in its larger cars, and more recently has offered it on the IS too. Additionally there’s a 2.0-litre petrol-only IS200t model, although Lexus UK concedes it makes up only about 10 per cent of IS sales.

The IS300h hybrid has always been a hit with company car drivers thanks to its low CO2 emissions, but with retail buyers increasingly moving away from diesel is now its time to shine?

Space   7/10

Adequate, if not class-leading

2017 Lexus IS300h boot space 

The Lexus IS is a generally comfortable car for four people, although headroom is a little tight in the back for those over six foot. Leg room is however decent, but as with all cars in this class there’s a large lump in the floor that makes it uncomfortable for anybody stuck in the middle seat.

You pay a small penalty in terms of boot space for taking the hybrid over the petrol-only IS200t. Whereas the latter is a match for the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class, the former finds itself at boot camp with the Jaguar XE. Split folding rear seats feature on all but the entry-level SE model, although even when lowered they leave a large step in the floor.

The front feels all at once roomy and cosseting, with a good amount of in-car storage.

Comfort   8/10

Very quiet for most of the time

2017 Lexus IS300h rear seats 

Lexus was once known for building cars with an exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride but not tuned to appeal to keen drivers. In recent years the brand has shifted to a more European approach that tries to blend dynamic handling with a supple ride. The good news is that so long as you avoid the F Sport version (which tellingly is also the only IS available with adaptive suspension) the ride remains soft enough to cope with low-speed bumps, while all models are comfortable at motorway speeds.

The hybrid can also run virtually silently for a mile or so when in EV mode, either when coasting or in stop-start traffic, and all versions of the IS do a great job of shutting out wind and road noise. What spoils the calm is the drone from the hybrid’s engine when you accelerate with any vigour. This is thanks to the way the E-CVT automatic gearbox holds on to revs. The IS200t with its conventional automatic is better in this regard.

The IS’s driving position is fundamentally good with plenty of adjustment. The way the electric seat and steering wheel reposition themselves to your preferred position as you fasten the seat belt in top-spec models is a great touch.

Dashboard layout   6/10

Looks great, but could be easier to use

2017 Lexus IS300h dashboard 

When Lexus updated the IS for 2017 it took the opportunity to offer a larger infotainment screen (now 10.3 inches rather than 7, albeit only as an option on higher-spec models) but sadly hasn’t replaced the fiddly mouse-like controller. As a result of this and a lack of shortcut buttons the system still isn’t as user-friendly as BMW or Audi’s.

The dashboard layout is otherwise pretty slick, with clear heating controls, a nice mixture of materials and a sense of solidity to everything you touch. The dial arrangement in F Sport-spec cars with its speedo that slides out of the way to reveal additional functions such as the trip computer (like that of the LFA supercar) is also a neat touch.

Easy to drive   6/10

Engines need to be worked hard and rear visibility is restricted

2017 Lexus IS300h driving rear 

The IS never feels as fast as equivalently priced rivals, which can make you think twice about overtaking. Rear visibility is also poor, so you’ll want either reversing sensors or better still a rear-facing camera.

That aside the controls have a satisfying weight to them which makes the IS feel like a quality product, it is a sensible size for driving in built-up areas, and so long as you don’t want to get anywhere fast the automatic gearbox is particularly smooth.

The brakes on the hybrid IS300h can though take a bit of getting used to because there’s not much feel through the pedal.

Fun to drive   5/10

A Jaguar XE leaves it for dust

2017 Lexus IS300h driving front 

One of the areas Lexus worked on for the 2017 facelift of the IS was the steering. Criticised in the old model for being vague, if it has improved the gains are only small. Certainly it lacks the well-oiled precision of a Jaguar XE or BMW 3-series, and nor does the car feel as eager to change direction.

It’s a shame because the IS does a good job of resisting body lean in corners and has plenty of grip, even if the hybrid does always feel rather heavy.

Reliability   9/10

Lexus has an outstanding record

Lexus consistently performs well in reliability surveys and the IS was named the most dependable car in its class in the most recent Auto Express Driver Power survey. In the unlikely event something does go wrong Lexus dealers also have a great reputation.

If there’s a slight disappointment it’s that the three-year warranty that Lexus provides is limited to 60,000 miles, whereas BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar all offer three years of cover, no matter how many miles you do.

The hybrid components and battery in the IS300h model are covered for five years or 60,000 miles - whichever comes first.

Fuel economy   8/10

Not as good as a diesel overall, but not far off

2017 Lexus IS300h driving side 

In official tests the IS300h hybrid recorded more than 65mpg, which isn’t terribly far off the best diesel rivals. What sort of fuel consumption you experience in the real world depends very much on how and where you drive. With lots of town miles undertaken at low speeds the 300h will beat a diesel for economy, but on long motorway runs it’s the other way around. On average drivers tend to get around 45-55mpg.

Affordability   9/10

Makes a very affordable company car

The limited engine range makes the starting price of the IS seem steep compared with rivals. However, as far as hybrids go it’s significantly cheaper than the slightly more powerful Mercedes C-class C300h. Combine this with CO2 emissions as low as 97g/km and it makes a strong case for itself with company car drivers. The fact Lexus tends to equip its cars very well also means you should be able to buy a fully loaded IS and still slip under the £40,000 threshold for paying the premium rate of vehicle excise duty (or road tax). That alone will save you £1,550 over the first six years of ownership.

Safety   8/10

Lots to keep you and your family safe

Lexus IS crash test

All IS models come with eight airbags, including knee ’bags for the driver and front passenger, helping the car to score a maximum five-star rating when it was crash tested by car safety specialists Euro NCAP. True, the BMW 3-series scored slightly better for adult occupant protection, but the IS had the edge on child occupant and pedestrian protection.

As of 2017 the IS also comes with autonomous emergency braking including pedestrian detection so that it can warn the driver if it senses a collision is imminent. If the driver doesn’t respond the car will automatically brake to minimise or even avoid an impact.

All models bar the entry-level SE also come with Lexus Safety System+ comprising of lane departure warning and a sway warning function designed to make sure the driver is paying attention. Optional extras include blind spot monitors and rear traffic alert

Standard spec   8/10

Lots to choose from

2017 Lexus IS300h infotainment screen 

The cheapest, SE model gives you 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, climate control and a seven-inch infotainment system. Upgrade to Executive Edition and you’ll get 17-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, satnav, a reversing camera and LED headlights, while Sport models have more aggressively styled bodywork.

Luxury models come with electrically powered leather seats, plus front and rear parking sensors, while F Sport versions of the IS have 18-inch wheels and the LFA style sliding speedo.

Premier cars are even better equipped - but a bit pricey - with everything from automatically folding door mirrors to a 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and the larger infotainment screen as standard.

Our favourite version

IS300h Executive Edition, list price £31,825

Options you should add: Metallic paint (£610)

The verdict   7/10

While still not the dynamic benchmark, you get the sense that the devotion Lexus has shown to hybrid technology might finally be about to pay off in terms of widening the brand’s appeal. In the IS300h buyers will find a car that is quiet and comfortable, as well as capable of delivering low running costs. For company car drivers meanwhile, the hybrid IS remains as compelling as ever.

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