2017 Lexus IS 200t Review

Name: 2017 Lexus IS 200t Review
Brand: Lexus

Price Range: $21,990 - $23,990

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Jason Kavanagh^{Senior Vehicle Test Engineer
Jason joined Edmunds' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.}

Pros

Smooth and comfortable ride quality on bumpy roads
Cabin is well isolated from noise
Solid complement of standard equipment

Cons

Optional Remote Touch interface can frustrate
Handling capabilities do little to create driver excitement
Trunk area on the small side

What’s new

For 2017, the IS 200t receives a mild cosmetic face-lift, including larger air intakes in the bumper, new LED headlamps and grille. At the back are revised taillights and exhaust tips. It also gets last year's optional suite of driver assistance safety features as standard equipment and minor interior style and control revisions and a larger display screen for the optional navigation system.

Vehicle overview

The 2017 Lexus IS 200t is the automaker's most accessible alternative to the well-known European luxury sedan competition. With a well-honed ride, ample features and low noise levels, it's got the refinement to be a convincing choice.

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2017 Lexus IS 200t
Base Sedan
$15,523
great price
$3,763 below market
- 104,678 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- Excel Auto Lounge (178 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Hightstown, NJ
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (22 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHBA1D29H5060122
Stock: H5060122
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-08-2025
New Listing
2017 Lexus IS 200t
Base Sedan
$18,500
good price
$2,746 below market
- 90,739 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, personal use
- 4cyl automatic
- Ourisman Toyota of Woodbridge (30 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Woodbridge, VA
POWER MOONROOF / SUNROOF / POWER TILT SLIDING ROOF, BLIS / BLIND SPOT MONITORING / BLIND SIDE ALERT, DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL / ADAPTIVE CRUISE CO...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (22 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHBA1D20H5043807
Stock: T043807
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-23-2025

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The IS line, which includes the 200t and the V6-powered IS 300 and IS 350, has never been the most sporting choice relative to its European rivals, and the current model is no exception. Acceleration from the 200t's four-cylinder engine is merely average, and the car's handling capabilities are nothing special. But it carves its own initials in the tree of entry-level luxury with its quiet cabin and well-executed ride quality, and it doesn't pummel you with overtly sport-oriented inclinations. Moreover, the 200t's style owes nothing to its German rivals.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

3.5 / 5

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Lexus IS 200t with the F Sport package (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).

Scorecard

Overall	3.5 / 5
Driving	3.0
Comfort	4.0
Interior	2.5
Utility	2.0

Driving

3.0

The highlight of the 2017 IS 200t is its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. Handling dynamics aren't this car's strongest suit, though you can still have fun whipping this luxury compact around a bend or two.

Acceleration

3.0

The turbocharged engine is eager at low revs and sounds more refined than BMW's 2.0-liter engine. In our testing, a 200t accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. That's not great, but the engine feels strong in real-world driving.

Braking

2.5

Brake pedal travel is surprisingly short and stiff for a Lexus and lacking a sense of stopping power. In our emergency panic-braking test, the IS 200t stopped from 60 mph in 117 feet, which is below average for a car on summer-rated tires.

Steering

3.0

The steering feels natural and direct when you turn the wheel but lacks road feel, which is important if your front tires ever lose grip. The IS 200t fails to provide confidence in this area, and that's critical for spirited driving.

Handling

3.0

Even with the stickier optional 18-inch summer tires, the IS 200t's grip and balance around turns don't really impress. Quick directional changes are more to its liking than long, sustained corners.

Drivability

4.0

Power is more than sufficient, but the eight-speed automatic transmission's shifting can feel languid at times. It takes about a second to select the right gear if you mat the gas for a big downshift, which is too slow if you're trying to get out of the way.

Comfort

4.0

Excellent ride comfort and the serene quietness of the 2017 IS' cabin are the big standouts in this area. We are also happy with the seats, though sitting in the saddle for a few hours can take a small toll on your lower back due to some mismatched lumbar ergonomics.

Seat comfort

2.5

There's adequate lateral seat support, and the optional ventilation and heating work well. The amount of lumbar support is adjustable, but the position is fixed and sits too high to provide long-distance comfort for an average-size driver.

Ride comfort

5.0

The IS delivers combines solid body control with smooth compliance at all the right times. Bumps and impacts are absorbed without issue, yet there's no hint of a marshmallowy ride or overly soft suspension tune. Very good.

Noise & vibration

4.5

Great attention went into the IS' cabin soundproofing. Road and wind noise is sufficiently silenced, and you don't hear much of the engine. Quiet cabins are more comfortable and can promote calmer reactions in emergencies.

Interior

2.5

The IS struggles with finding a balance between innovation and complication. The infotainment system interface lacks user-friendly qualities, and basic cupholder ergonomics seem like afterthoughts. This is a cabin with mediocre usability.

Ease of use

2.0

Lexus' haptic joystick interface for the infotainment system is cumbersome to use, and it snags smartphone charger cords with ease. The touch sliders for the climate control — which look cool and work well — are the best cabin features.

Getting in/getting out

3.0

Even with the easy-entry retracting steering wheel, it's not difficult to graze a knee against the column climbing into the driver seat. The rear door openings are on the smaller side and could prove difficult for less flexible passengers.

Roominess

2.5

Cabin space is not abundant. For an average-size driver, the center tunnel console seems needlessly wide, and the armrests can feel intrusive. The rear bench has less legroom than in some competitors, and the center seat has marginal headroom.

Visibility

3.0

Forward visibility is great. Rear headrests don't impede the view directly rearward, but huge rear pillars and a high body slope create blind spots when reversing. The optional parking sensors and rearview camera are recommended.

Quality

4.0

Other than the steering-wheel leather that looks and feels like wrinkled skin by the thumb holds, this interior is done well. The seats have quality stitching, and all contact surfaces are soft with tight panel fit and solid door seals.

Utility

2.0

The smallish trunk that doesn't fold flat and limited interior storage conspire against the IS 200t's utility.

Small-item storage

2.5

Storage up front is limited to the armrest, door pockets and glovebox.

Cargo space

2.0

At 10.8 cubic feet, cargo space is on the small side for the class. The rear seatbacks fold forward, but hardly flat. The unevenness limits what you can carry with the seats down.

2017 Lexus IS 200t models

Selecting a trim level for the 2017 IS 200t is a trivial affair, because there is but one. All IS 200t sedans are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (241 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque) and drive the rear wheels solely through an eight-speed automatic transmission. (All-wheel drive is available via the V6-powered IS 300, reviewed separately.) A variety of option packages include some desirable features, but it helps to be decisive about which features you truly want because some of them are available in multiple packages or as standalone selections.

For instance, a backup camera is available on its own or bundled in the Premium or Luxury packages. Those packages have many other items that you may or may not want.

Standard equipment includes a solid array of features including LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, premium vinyl seat upholstery, a 10-speaker sound system, a 7-inch display screen, and keyless entry and ignition. Eighteen-inch wheels are optional, as is navigation, a heated steering wheel, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. If you're interested, check out the F Sport package, which includes revised exterior styling, a sport-tuned suspension, sport front seats and special interior trim.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 Lexus IS 200t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 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 $3.84 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$181/mo

$157/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#4 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Lexus IS 200t from 2008-2022.}

$419/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.76x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

5.2%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Lexus IS 200t Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

33 reviews

5(52%)

4(27%)

3(12%)

2(9%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

IS200t blows away

Tim, 12/03/2015

2016 Lexus IS 200t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

My wife and I recently came into a Lexus with the intention of browsing the 2016 Lexus IS200t and in the end we decided to purchase it. I was not disappointed. The quality and performance of the vehicle are superb. Toyota decided to get rid of the lackluster v6 engine of the older IS250 and swapped in a 4 cylinder 2.0 Liter turbo engine which is finely tuned. The car has enough power to …

Great car all around. 1 thing though...

Dustin, 09/19/2019

2016 Lexus IS 200t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

The car is beautiful, just the right amount of flashy, amazing interior, and the car's speed and handling are amazing. CON: The 2 to 3 second lag when accelerating The car picks up quickly and powerfully after that couple seconds, but that lag make it difficult to time and take advantage of merging from a stop.

Works well if your looking for something to keep

John, 03/24/2017

2017 Lexus IS 200t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

The car feels and drives great the BMW 3 series and Audi A4 are better,but if your looking for an entry level luxury car and trying to have something last for the long haul the maintenance cost and value of this car will be well worth it.

You'd expect more from Lexus

T. Day, 06/10/2018

2016 Lexus IS 200t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

This is my third IS, the first two were IS250's. The V-6 engines had a little less power, but got much better gas mileage on regular gas. The interiors from 2006 to 2016 are much cheaper with very little storage on the inside. Drink holders are almost at your elbows, making it unhandy to use. The voice recognition system is terrible; 50% of the time, you have to give up on completing …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 Lexus IS 200t, so we've included reviews for other years of the IS 200t since its last redesign.

See all 33 reviews of the Lexus IS 200t

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2017 IS 200t Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,825
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$181/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the IS 200t models:

Pre-Collision System: This system detects and attempts to avoid front collisions by applying the brakes to assist the driver and reduce the speed of impact.
Lane Departure Alert: Alerts the driver when it detects that the car is deviating close to lane markings.
Intelligent High Beam: Automatically turns the high beams on or off depending on whether it detects oncoming traffic.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

2017 Lexus IS 200t Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

For sale nearby

2017 Lexus IS 200tBase Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2017 Lexus IS 200tBase Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Which IS 200t does Edmunds recommend?

2017 Lexus IS 200t models

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Lexus IS 200t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 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 $3.84 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Lexus IS 200t Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

IS200t blows away

Great car all around. 1 thing though...

Works well if your looking for something to keep

You'd expect more from Lexus

2017 IS 200t Highlights

Safety

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2017 Lexus IS 200t
Base Sedan

2017 Lexus IS 200t
Base Sedan

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 Lexus IS 200t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 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 $3.84 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}