2009 Lexus IS 250 Consumer Reviews

Great mid-size sport sedan

Written by: jlandry on 11/10/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I chose the IS250 over BMW 3 series and Audi due to superior interior fit and trim. Lexus interior finish is by far higher end than BMW finish at a more affordable price point. Obviously the 250 could use some more power, but you can get that in 350 and the 250 gets great mpg. Combined hwy and cty mileage averages about 26mpg. I get 31mpg on hwy. The audio and nav system is superb. One drawback is not being able to program the nav system while the vehicle is moving. Bluetooth is clear. Dashboard instrumentation layout is very sporty and provides quick reference for temp, tire pressure, mpg and distance to empty. Paddle shifters are nice touch and add some sportiness to daily drive.

Favorite Features

Air conditioned seats... live in AZ. Paddle shifters. High quality interior. Very quiet ride from tires and cabin is very quiet. Sound system is terrific. Exterior styling is superb. Great gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

More legroom for the rear seats.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Good bang for the buck!

Written by: Wooping on 10/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I've put 9,000 miles on this IS250 Automatic. This is a pretty nice ride. Hard to believe it gets better mileage than a manual. Go figure.

Favorite Features

It accelerates smoothly and has a nice quiet ride. The steering is tight (excellent turning radius). Huge breaks... stops on a dime!

Suggested Improvements

Like everyone else... needs more leg room... Americans are BIG. Example, I am just 6ft tall... no one can sit in the seat behind me. The sun visor does not protect my eyes when swung into the side window position... sloppy.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Overall very good but....

Written by: WD on 09/27/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

All in all a very good deal, I agree with all the positive features mentioned elsewhere. I read somewhere about an annoying noise from the dashboard that starts few months after having the car, and I actually noticed that, it's from the driver's corner of the dashboard, a high-pitch annoying noise that occurs most on unsteady roads. I play music loud while driving and that can masks it, but a real disappointment.

Favorite Features

The "snow" drive button option. The extra power button engine option. The exterior look. Sound system

Suggested Improvements

The dashboard noise. The white leather seats are very hard to keep clean (dunno about other cars, but even cloths will leave color prints on these ones)

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: Paul M on 09/02/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Just bought my 09 Lexus IS250 awd and I love it. The exterior styling is very eye catching and the interior is top quality. The seats are very comfortable, the ride is very smooth and you can barely hear any road noise inside. The radio and AC area without navigation is boring but its functional. Could use a little more power but its decent and the car handles very well. Its a very small car so a small backseat is expected. The back-seats aren't usable unless the front seats are pushed very far up, but all around its a great car!

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats, smooth ride, paddle shifters, fit and finish.

Suggested Improvements

More engine power, larger backseats, more stylish center console and maybe a screen instead.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Wonderful car

Written by: James on 07/28/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We have had this car for a month now and simply love it. The external styling is best in class and the interior is top notch. Every detail is well thought out and the fit and finish is outstanding. I can understand why other reviewers focus on the power, but I consider this car a luxury car that is sporty, rather than a pure sports car. We test drove the A4 2.0T Quattro (used to own an Audi allroad) and really liked it also, but the interior seemed outdated and the engine, although better kick, did not seem as refined as the IS250. And, in the end we didn't want to be in the Audi shop all the time like we were with the allroad. Bottom line, Lexus really did a fantastic job on this car.

Favorite Features

Interior fit and finish. Exterior styling. Instrument panel. Air conditioned seats. Puddle lamps. Excellent handling and smooth engine/transmission. Extremely quite and luxurious. Great handling. Very comfortable seats - even for long distances. Good gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Just a tad more pep would certainly be nice. Don't mess with anything else!

21 out 21 people found this review helpful

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TERRIBLE Driving Position, Hurts R Leg

Written by: docboy on 06/29/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Traded TSX for IS250 AWD. Decided on IS over the G37, 335, TL, and WRX. Thought the IS had the most comfy front seats of the bunch. I was sorely wrong. Happy at first, nice ride and solid handling, until my right leg started to hurt. Didn't notice it much at first, but after 4 weeks in this car, there's a glaring stupid BUMP protruding out the driver's side. Simply cannot rest my right foot and leg in proper straight ergonomic manner. Right leg simply cannot straighten out, liken a repetitive stress disorder. BUMP part of AWD trans; whole body hurts to drive. Regret buying this car, will never buy AWD Lexus sedan again. May be forced to trade-in after only 1000 miles! Ridiculous.

Favorite Features

Nice exterior design, solid handling, little body roll, 204 HP has decent torque range, good highway gas mileage, good lumbar support. Reviews of AWD suggest good traction in snow but since I may be forced to trading the car in after only 1k miles and is still summer, I'll never know.

Suggested Improvements

Poor interior design, absolutely cramped interior gets worse every time you sit inside. AWD transmission prevents any reasonable front driving position. Right leg has absolutely no comfortable area to rest or place. Car seems designed for people <5' w/short skinny legs. Interior redesign needed!

15 out 31 people found this review helpful

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It ALMOST could

Written by: sig alph g on 02/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Coming out of a pickup I realized that it was going to be a small car. However, it rides like a true sport luxury car and with all the creature comforts, i.e., HID, temp seats, navi, etc. I feel it was a good purchase. The ride is a lot better (to me) than a comparable c300, and 328i. Also, the quality of the Lexus is second to none. The interior fit and feel makes a Benz or Beemer really feel entry level. Lastly the power.. I didn't want it for the "power" but a little more "oomph" would have been great, as well, the back seat has 0 leg room. maybe a I250/350L would be good?

Favorite Features

all of the creature comforts as well, as classy, upscale styling.

Suggested Improvements

add L ( long ) version, and some more power.

29 out 30 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: 1HappyGuy on 02/18/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I was considering a BMW 328i which has a much sportier feel but when I compared the features of the IS 250 to BMW, Lexus proved to be a much better value. True, the IS isn't a BMW but the style, workmanship, navigation system and options are much better than what was available with BMW and I don't have to contend with the run flat tires that come standard with the 328i. Lexus tweaked the steering to the 2009 IS and this results in a much better drive. Keyless entry system and quiet interior are wonderful. People don't realize that I am driving when I call them using the Bluetooth feature. Get the iPod connection. It works wonderfully with the 13 speaker sound system which is very good.

Favorite Features

Ventilated from seats; style, sound system and layout of the dashboard. The sound and navigation systems beat the BMW hands down. The quality of the leather is superb. Gas mileage is very good and is the primary reason why I chose a 250 instead of a 350.

Suggested Improvements

The 250 has nice pickup but it would have been great if the car had 230 horse power in lieu of 204. Stiffer suspension would also have been nice. Notwithstanding the suggested improvements, I have no regrets choosing an IS 250 instead of a 328i.

45 out 45 people found this review helpful

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Luxury Sporty car

Written by: Eric on 02/12/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Good handling, sexy exterior, luxury interior, good pick up.

Favorite Features

I love the exterior design, and the interior is the great quality, smart keyless, good value.

Suggested Improvements

Increase the horsepower.

7 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Lexus IS 250 AWD - 2006 technology

Written by: alterbear on 01/26/2009

Vehicle

2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I leased a new Lexus IS 250 AWD after being told that the new model been updated for 2009. Yes, there are some minor styling and other changes, but it's still a 2006 technology platform. For example, the navigation system has no text to speech, no traffic info, outdated maps, poor routing - you could do better with a portable unit for $150.00.

Favorite Features

Fun vehicle to drive, great looking car, all wheel drive is great in snow, reasonable gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Needs to move up to the competition - does not compare well feature for feature. Too long between initial launch of the vehicle and updates.

16 out 16 people found this review helpful

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