2010 Lexus IS 250 C Review
2010 Lexus IS 250 C Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- All-weather hardtop, high-quality interior, refined ride with 17-inch wheels, good fuel economy, many safety features, golfer-friendly trunk.
Cons
- Poor rear visibility, limited top-down trunk space, cramped backseat, weak acceleration, rear end looks bulbous and awkward.
What’s new
The 2010 Lexus IS 250C is an all-new retractable-hardtop convertible version of the IS sedan that features the smaller of two available engines.
Edmunds says
The 2010 Lexus IS 250C offers the refinement and sophistication expected of Toyota's luxury division, but its transformation from sedan to convertible isn't as graceful as other brands' entries.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 Lexus IS 250 C 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$249/mo for IS 250 C Base
IS 250 C Base
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Lexus has never offered an entry-level convertible, but that finally changes this year with the all-new 2010 IS 250C. As you can likely guess, it's based on the IS sedan, and is therefore much cheaper and has a (marginally) more useful backseat than the brand's now-discontinued SC 430. But in the transformation from solid-roof four-door to retractable-roof two-door, Lexus gave the IS C some rather ungainly long hindquarters to swallow the roof's three pieces of steel.
Get beyond its ungraceful rump, and the 2010 Lexus IS 250C offers the expected levels of luxury, refinement and quality you expect from a Lexus. The interior boasts flawless materials and construction, while a long list of standard and optional features provides the goodies one expects from a vehicle in this price range. Like the regular IS 250 sedan, the 204-horsepower 250C has the smaller of two V6 engines available, with the IS 350C offering the larger mill. This 2.5-liter V6 is certainly the way to go if fuel economy and cost of entry is important, but the acceleration it provides is slower than virtually everything in its class (including the VW Eos 2.0T).
As with any hardtop convertible, the roof is the (figuratively) big story here. With a touch of a button located to the left of the steering wheel, the three-panel roof gracefully folds and tucks itself down into the trunk in an impressively quick 20 seconds. With the roof raised, the cabin is hushed like any other coupe while also providing more safety and security than a cloth roof. Of course, these attributes go for all retractable hardtops, as does the reduced trunk space when the roof is lowered. The backseat is also similarly cramped, with notable reductions in leg-, shoulder and hiproom.
Overall, we've found the 2010 Lexus IS 250C to be a civilized touring convertible for a reasonable price. Its interior refinement, comfortable ride and good fuel economy are certainly bonuses. If the latter is less important to you than quick acceleration, then the more powerful IS 350C is a must. However, hardtop competitors like the BMW 328i and Volvo C70 are generally more appealing because of their increased practicality, as are the soft-top BMW 1 Series and VW Eos.
Performance & mpg
The 2010 Lexus IS 250C is powered by a 2.5-liter V6 that produces 204 hp and 185 pound-feet of torque. A 3.5-liter V6 is available in the IS 350C. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are standard, but a six-speed automatic transmission that includes manual-override paddle shifters is optional. Lexus estimates that the IS 250C will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. EPA fuel economy estimates with the automatic are 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. They drop to 18/26/21 with the manual.
Safety
The IS 250C comes standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, front-seat side curtain airbags, front-seat knee airbags and Lexus Safety Connect emergency telematics. Included with the optional adaptive cruise control is Lexus' Pre-Collision System, which can retract the front seatbelts and activate brake assist immediately when the driver presses the brake pedal if an impending collision is detected.
Driving
The 2010 Lexus IS 250C offers the sort of refined ride you'd expect from Toyota's luxury division. Wind noise is impressively hushed for a retractable-hardtop convertible, and the structure feels tight over body-bending road imperfections. The 250C is the fuel economy choice, as it provides simply adequate acceleration. The 306-hp 350C is the car you want if anything close to rapid acceleration is in order. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but we'd stick with the automatic, as the do-it-yourself gearbox is sloppy and not particularly fun to shift. Actually, we wouldn't call any IS C fun because of the slow, lifeless steering and a suspension setup tuned more for comfort than handling.
Interior
The IS 250C boasts a finely crafted interior, with top-notch materials and an attractively sporty design. Fit and finish is generally excellent. Cars with the navigation system have an easy-to-understand electronics interface that utilizes both physical buttons and a touchscreen display. However, we'd prefer a redundant display for climate and audio readouts, as both disappear when viewing the navigation system.
Lexus thoughtfully programmed the ventilation system to automatically adjust itself based on whether the top is raised or lowered, altering the volume and distribution of air. The same goes for the audio system, which automatically changes the equalizer settings based on additional wind noise.
The Lexus IS 250 sedan offers one of the least spacious backseats in its class, and the convertible is only worse. Given that luxury convertibles are hardly passenger haulers, this isn't that big of a deal, but competitors offer a few valuable extra centimeters. Hip- and shoulder room are particularly pinched. With the roof raised, the trunk offers a decent 10.8 cubic feet of trunk space, but it shrinks to a puny 2.4 cubic feet with it lowered. That's too small for a standard roller suitcase, but the remaining space has been precisely shaped to accommodate a golf bag.
2010 Lexus IS 250 C models
The 2010 Lexus IS 250C is a four-passenger convertible with a fully automatic retractable hardtop. It is technically available in a single trim level, but there is an IS 350C available with a bigger engine and a few additional features.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, heated side mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, cruise control, a power tilt-telescoping steering column, eight-way power front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker stereo with in-dash six-CD changer, USB and auxiliary audio jacks.
The Luxury Package adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights, automatic wipers, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats with memory settings, wood trim and automatic slide/fold/return for rear-seat access. The bi-xenons and the heated/cooled seats are also available as stand-alone options. A navigation system with real-time traffic and a back-up camera is also an option and can be bundled with a 12-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system. Other extras include 18-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control (includes collision preparation features) and a variety of Lexus F-Sport performance upgrade items.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2010 Lexus IS 250 C.
5 star(89%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
28 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Sexy yet reliable; still in LOVE
AB, 03/02/2019
2010 Lexus IS 250 C 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
This was my splurge purchase. I wanted the SC and I LOVE the smooth luxurious ride of that car...but it's a true two seater. When lexus came out with a true 4 seater convertable, I knew I had to have it! This is my summer car truthfully as the visibility and handling in the persistently wet and gray PNW makes me hesitant to use it in the winter when the days are short and the … constantly gray and stormy. It's got a tall rear end and the backup camera is essential for me. Im 5'4" and the front seats are plenty comfortable. I fit in the back just fine as well, but there's no pretending its comfortable back there. My husband is 6'2" and fits well in the front and finds it a comfortable ride. He does fit in the back, but not well. My absolute favorite thing about this car is the wind screen that prevents almost all wind in the cabin when the top is down and windows rolled up. Buy this extra accessory; it's WORTH it! It's very quiet with the top down, even on the freeway. I can talk on the phone with the top down on the freeway with no problem. I STILL love this car, even after all these years. Im still excited tho drive it!
4.63 out of 5 stars
So Far So Good
1st Lexus, 07/07/2009
2010 Lexus IS 250 C 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
I am a convertible guy, having owned 4 Z4's, an Audi A4 and a BMW 128. I was hesitant to purchase a hardtop, but ever since I saw this one at a DC Auto Show, I was hooked. Had to drive 100 miles to get it, but it is everything I've hoped it would be. Quiet as can be inside with the top up, great gas mileage, fantastic "goodies" including sat radio, cooled and heated seats, Xenons, … starting and locking/unlocking the car without using the key. I will say this ride is much more calm than the German cars, but I was having terrible electrical issues with the German cars and I feel the Lexus will last longer. If you need lots of pick-up, go with the 350. I have gotten about 28mpg so far w/250.
4.5 out of 5 stars
It was on my bucket list
cantbackup, 06/09/2012
2010 Lexus IS 250 C 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
And it was worth waiting for.
I went through the years of soccer mom vans and cars that matched my sensible shoes.
Nevertheless, I revel in the sensibility of this car, nevermind the epa rating of the gas mileage.
This does much better.
I am getting 32 mpg.
When I spend more time in town, that compromises into the high 20s.
The wind does not whip me around, the windshield is a great … design.
You can carry on a conversation, even in highway driving.
I am sorry I did not get the rear view camera as the backup view with the top up is compromised.
This car is gorgeous, smooth driving, steering, and more.
The back seat is tight and the front seat is not as comfy as the bigger sedans.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Excellent automobile
doyleb, 07/14/2010
2010 Lexus IS 250 C 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
This is our second IS - we traded in a 250 for this car. Fit, finish, ride comfort all are up to Lexus standards. It's quiet (much more so than the 350Z we had before the IS250) and easy to get into / out of. A little more pep would be good, but we'll sacrifice that for the gas mileage - if pep is important go with the 350C. We got rear-ended 2 months getting the car, but it's been … put back together very well. Overall a great car if you want topless motoring!
2010 IS 250 C Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $39,440 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $249/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the IS 250 C include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
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