2008 Lexus IS 250 Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
21 - 24 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(74 Total Reviews)
Big Disappointment!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 1 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
My wife and I have been leasing an IS250 for 2 years. It is very hard for me to decide where to start my review of this car since it has been the worst car I have ever experienced. We fell for the good sporty looks and the large screen navigation system it has. Unfortunately the joy ended after a few days of driving it on the road in real life. Let me tell you, this car has the worst ride you can imagine. You feel every pebble on the road. After a long ride you literally feel nauseated. We both are only 5-6 tall and we still feel cramped in this car. The seats are small and it is very difficult to find a comfortable seating position in this car. The wind noise is really bad too.
Favorite Features
Navigation System, Audio System, Bluetooth
Suggested Improvements
Overall Ride, Climate Control, Interior Space, Seats Comfort, Wind Noise, Tires must last as rated
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
Overall Happy Customer
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
I love the IS250 Sport! It has a great look, sporty yet comfortable. Lots a cool features and fun to drive. It's an overall excellent car in its class.
Favorite Features
Keyless entry, the sporty look, sound system & very quiet to drive.
Suggested Improvements
More storage space, more back room, more gas mileage.
Brakes
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
I also had a problem with my brakes. When I back up the brakes squeak. With less than 10000 miles I'm sure it's not the brake pads. If it is, I would be disappointed. I enjoy the smooth ride. The cabin is tight, power is acceptable & the gas mileage is excellent.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Class that the others do not have
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
When I decided to purchase a pre-owned car I was looking at the class above the IS 250. I was looking at the Lexus gs, BMW 5 and audi a6. When my sales rep showed me the is 250 I fell in love with the way it looked. It has class that none of the others has. I traded in my 3 and after 27 days driving this car you can not compare the two. IS 250 is a perfect blend of fun and comfort...the BMW was fun only.
Favorite Features
Keyless entry, stereo system, comfortable seats.
Suggested Improvements
Smaller key.
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
Good overall Lexus
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)
Review
This is not a bad car at all setting aside from numerous dealership visits within the 25k miles I have clocked with this vehicle. The engine is very smooth, quiet yet not as powerful as I would like, even with the manual transmission. The down points for this car is various suspension noises & horrible manual transmission/factory flywheel combo. At about 5000 miles, the manual transmission had to be replaced. Right after, various TSB's were performed for interior noises & passenger side front A-Pillar head air bag cover was replaced. Now I hear clanking in the suspension area when going over any type of bump or road imperfection. Also, interior plastic clips are getting loose which make noise.
Favorite Features
Good technology for the cheapest Lexus. I like the push button start & instrument cluster illumination. Stock stereo is good but made up for by using 13 speakers.
Suggested Improvements
Lexus needs to improve build quality for the IS. The quirks needs to be fixed so Lexus can keep their motto of "Passionate Pursuit of Perfection".
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
Like driving a swan
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
A friend says I look like I'm driving a swan. Lovely Princess Shinjouku is Starfire Pearl, with Cashmere leather. Shinjouku is not nearly as ergonometric as my beloved Volvo, Lars (murdered by a Sequoia driven by a fool who ran a redlight at 80+ mph.). And the design is not as evolved. Doors & trunk drip inside when opened. I'm very agile, but have trouble getting out of the car. The car feels heavy, and the doors have the most amazingly precise and plush sound when they close. I cannot use the sound system. It hurts my ears. I bought for Prestige/reliability/safety/cost to own/beauty. Shinjouku is definitely beautiful: the prettiest Lexus yet. Just wish it were safer and quieter.
Favorite Features
The beauty of the car. Absolute reliability (so far). Prestige, Fantastic mpg (30.6 overall, for me). Digital mileage display(s). The 'split 5-spoke' wheels are the least tacky of any currently being sold. Being pampered at the dealership. I'm hooked on the VIP treatment.
Suggested Improvements
Please delete sunroofs from 'standard options'. Please delete ghetto stereos from 'standard options'. Even with base and mid-range turned totally down, the sound system hurts my ears. I do not want to "feel" the music. Please make the car quieter and safer. I was expecting Lexus-level silence.
3 out 10 people found this review helpful
Well pleased
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
So pleased with my car. Sleek, sharp eye catcher! I keep her clean, no rain hits my baby. I love the design, the metallic paint is awesome and there is a ECT button you hit if you want more speed and power. Driving on the interstate is great. Quiet cabin, Mark Levinson stereo system.
Favorite Features
Great stereo system, keyless entry, sporty wheels and dual temp control.
Suggested Improvements
Lose the front cup holders, make navigation system standard and identify "which tire" has a problem instead of "check tires".
3 out 4 people found this review helpful
Needs more power
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
The car is a luxury cruiser more than a sports sedan. to me it just doesn't compare to anything European unfortunately. The technology and features however are great and it is definitely an extremely comfortable car. I recommend using the sportshift mode, the power mode and turning off traction to get the most fun out of this vehicle. If I had to choose again I'd save a little longer and get the 350 if I had the choice.
Favorite Features
Keyless entry sound system sport shift, paddle shifters
Suggested Improvements
USB connectivity, much more power needed, 250+ at least
After 1 Year
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
I love this car!! It handles excellent and the quality is very high. I have hit 37 mpg on the freeway just last week after filling up and thats with 6200 miles on the car. I do take care of my vehicles and maintain the oil changes. I do not race the car as it is only a 2.5L V-6 with 204 bhp. So, you out there that own one knows exactly what I'm speaking of. The car is not for racing. But it does hold its value in the market. Over-all, I give the car a 9 out of 10.
Favorite Features
The paddle shifters. Rev up the RPM and you have a little spit fire on your hands.
Suggested Improvements
Power-telescopic steering wheel in all Lexus models. With memory! One more cup holder for the passenger, hidden somewhere on the passenger side.
0 out 2 people found this review helpful
Great Car, Best in Class.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review
A wonderful car, equal or better than all its German competition. A pleasure to drive. My choice after testing new BMW 330i, Audi A4, Mercedes 280c. Now after owning for one year I know I made the right choice. Have not even visited the dealer since purchasing in Feb 2008. Very highly recommended car. Weak points: GPS lacks features like Garmin and TomTom ability to download POIs and traffic/speed camera locations. Even with the expensive GPS I still need to use my Garmin.
Favorite Features
Everything! Mainly the rear camera and good sound system, cooled and heated seats, Key-less entry, lovely and easy to read instruments. I need spectacles to read, but can read all instruments on this car without any spectacles, day or night. With small updates this can be the best ever car.
Suggested Improvements
Remove "I Agree" on GPS at start up. Include traffic camera locations on GPS. Enable window and moon roof operation while key present in vehicle. Follow BMW with dealer customization of customer requirements, like "time out duration" on seat belt or other buzzer warnings.
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2010 Lexus IS 250
- 2009 Lexus IS 250
- 2008 Lexus IS 250
- 2007 Lexus IS 250
- 2006 Lexus IS 250
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