2009 Lexus IS 250 Review
Price: $9,912





+28
For sale nearby
99 listings
- $9,912good price$1,783 below market
- 71,229 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 6cyl automatic
- Precise Automotive Group (9 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
At Precise Automotive Group, We're making car buying easier and more convenient than ever! Enjoy FREE & FAST Shipping on all vehicles straight to your...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
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:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHBK262295100929
Stock: P0929_1
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-16-2025 - $8,945great price$2,022 below market
- 96,596 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 6cyl automatic
- Wrench & Ride (26 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
Close
Located in Charles Town, WV
Heated Leather Seats, NAV, Keyless Start, Multi-CD Changer, iPod/MP3 Input, Premium Sound System, PREMIUM PKG, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, REAR LIP SPOILER, HI...
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:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHBK262892088402
Stock: 1128
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 12-16-2024 - 127,090 miles
- Frame damage reported, 7 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 6cyl automatic
- DARCARS Kia (33 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Temple Hills, MD
Gray 2009 Lexus IS 250 6-Speed Automatic Electronic with ECT-i 2.5L V6 DOHC 24V VVT-i AWDAWD, Leather.
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (20 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHCK262595034123
Stock: P1H0548B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-14-2025
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Compliant ride, capable handling, high-quality interior materials, available all-wheel drive.
Cons
- Lackluster power plant, overly soft suspension for enthusiastic driving, cramped backseat.
What’s new
The 2009 Lexus IS 250 receives a handful of minor tweaks, including subtle interior and exterior styling changes, a more advanced stability control system, slightly revised suspension tuning and a two-tone interior option.
Edmunds says
As an entry-level luxury sedan with a dash of panache, the 2009 Lexus IS 250 is an appealing proposition -- but as a sport sedan, it falls a bit short.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (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 $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$225/mo for IS 250 Base
IS 250 Base
vs
$162/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
It wasn't too long ago that BMW had the entry-level sport sedan segment pretty much to itself. Sure, there were half-hearted efforts to match the magic of the blue-and-white propeller here and there, but the company's 3 Series remained the car to have for compact-sedan buyers who loved to drive. Eventually, though, rival automakers began to realize that this market segment couldn't be ignored. That's why the number of serious entry-level sport sedans has ballooned in recent years -- and why Lexus decided to get into the act by introducing the IS series.
The 2009 Lexus IS 250 (along with its more powerful IS 350 sibling) represents the second such act for Lexus, the previous-generation IS 300 having been the first. Essentially a rebadged Japanese-market Toyota, this initial effort was entertaining enough, but it couldn't quite match class leaders in terms of performance or refinement. The IS 250, on the other hand, was engineered to meet the European and Japanese competition head-on. It's got strikingly taut styling, a sporty interior and even a manual-shift option to complement its rear-wheel-drive layout. In other words, the 2009 Lexus IS 250 has what sport-sedan shoppers are looking for.
At least, that's how it appears on paper. Unfortunately, driving the IS 250 is something of a letdown from the enthusiast's perspective. The 2.5-liter V6 seems rather crude and underpowered compared with the BMW 328i's silky smooth 3.0-liter inline-6, and while the IS 250's steering is accurate, it's notably lacking in feel. Handling is certainly competent, but the IS 250 bounces up and down like a softly sprung luxury sedan over bumps, even with the optional sport suspension. As for the stick shift, fuggedaboutit -- it's easily worst-in-class. On the whole, it seems that Lexus was aiming for a slightly less sporty demographic with this car, namely buyers who want the look of an entry-level sport sedan along with the compliant ride and coddling interior of an entry-level luxury sedan.
If that was the target, then the IS 250 generally hits the bull's-eye. Interior materials quality is excellent, noise levels are Lexus low, and the IS 250's aggressively styled exterior belies its supple suspension tuning. As a sharp-looking compact luxury sedan with a sporty flavor, the IS 250 is an unqualified success. Just know that you may be disappointed if you expect this Lexus to give a 3 Series sedan -- or an Audi A4, or an Infiniti G35, or even a Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport -- a run for its money when the going gets twisty.
Performance & mpg
The 2009 Lexus IS 250 is powered by a 2.5-liter V6 that generates 204 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while AWD is available. Transmission options consist of a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, though if you want AWD, you're stuck with the automatic. Our test of a manual-transmission IS 250 yielded a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds; for reference, a manual-shift BMW 328i will do the same trick in 6.4 seconds.
EPA fuel-economy estimates stand at 21 mpg city/29 highway and 24 combined for rear-wheel-drive models with the automatic transmission, while the manual shifter knocks those numbers down considerably to 18 mpg city/26 highway and 21 combined. When equipped with AWD, the IS 250 returns 20 mpg city/26 highway and 22 combined.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are all standard on the 2009 Lexus IS 250. Optional is a pre-collision system (PCS) that comes packaged with adaptive cruise control. The PCS uses a radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car. If the computer determines that a collision is unavoidable, it pre-emptively stiffens the suspension, retracts the front seatbelts and initializes brake assist so increased braking can be applied the instant the brake pedal is pressed.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the IS 250 earned a perfect "Good" rating for its performance in both frontal-offset and side-impact tests. In government crash testing, the IS 250 managed four stars (out of a possible five) for both frontal crash protection and rear side-impact protection. Front-passenger side-impact protection received a five-star rating.
Driving
The 2009 Lexus IS 250 looks like a sport sedan, but in this case, looks are a bit deceiving. The IS 250's high cornering limits make it a capable back road dance partner, but its uncommunicative steering will leave enthusiasts cold and there's too much body roll for a sporting car. The manual transmission extracts maximum performance from the 2.5-liter V6 engine, but the IS 250 isn't quick by any stretch of the imagination, and the V6 feels unusually reluctant to rev. Moreover, the manual shifter itself is decidedly subpar, with excessive lateral spacing between the gear slots and an unpleasantly notchy feel. On the bright side, the IS 250 rides comfortably and the plush cabin is a peaceful place in which to while away the rush hour.
Interior
The IS 250 boasts a finely wrought interior, with top-notch materials and an attractively sporty design. Fit and finish is generally excellent. Lexus also offers one of the best electronics interfaces in the business, with easy-to-use controls all around. The optional navigation system and accompanying touchscreen are particularly user-friendly.
Most compact luxury sedans aren't generous with rear-seat legroom, and this is particularly true of the IS 250. Adults or even large children may not be happy in the rear seat on long road trips -- especially with a taller driver up front. Don't let the IS 250's four doors fool you; in terms of interior space, it's more akin to a luxury coupe.
2009 Lexus IS 250 models
The 2009 Lexus IS 250 compact luxury sport sedan is available in only one trim level. Standard equipment is generous and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, leather seating, power front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control and a premium audio system with a six-disc CD changer and an auxiliary audio jack.
Optional features (mostly bundled into packages) include 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, park assist, adaptive cruise control, driver seat memory, rain-sensing wipers, a power rear sunshade, a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio and a Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system. Heated front seats are standard on the all-wheel-drive model and optional on the rear-wheel-drive versions. Both IS 250s can also be had with ventilated front seats. A sport suspension package (not available on the AWD version) dubbed the X Package is available and features firmer suspension calibrations, 18-inch wheels, sport-biased tires and aluminum pedals.

2025 Lexus LX 700h First Drive: Get the Overtrail

The Lexus GX Rides Higher, Costs More for 2025

The Most Fuel-Efficient Hybrids You Can Buy in 2025

2025 Lexus LX 700h First Look: New Hybrid and Rugged Overtrail Trim
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#7 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 250 from 2008-2022.$343/yr
vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
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).1.11x/yr
vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
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).6.2%
vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
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 250 Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(77%)
4(17%)
3(3%)
2(3%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Very pleased with this car
4.75 out of 5 starsjohnc, 10/16/2010
2009 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
I've had the IS250 for 2 months now and it's everything I'd hoped. Great looks, terrific fit and finish on the interior--which sold me over the BMW 3 and even the Audi A4. As others have noted, the ride's not as sporty as some others but I'm not on twisting turning road all that much anyway, whereas the comfort and style are always noted and appreciated. This is my 3rd Lexus (RX & GS) … and have loved them all.
Perfect Marriage of Luxury and Sport
4.88 out of 5 starsBirdman46077, 05/10/2008
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
Full disclosure: I am an engineer with 20+ years of quality experience, so I am very picky. This car is the perfect marriage of luxury and sports car. The build quality is very apparent, both inside and out. It is extremely quiet and smooth, although the suspension is a tad stiff on rougher roads. The paint is absolutely beautiful. Picking a color is the toughest decision, once you … decide to buy. The engine will not impress true sports car enthusiasts, but I think Lexus hit the nail on the head by combining "very good" performance with "great" gas mileage. I'm getting 28 MPG consistently.
Just gas and oil
5 out of 5 starsJustin Wasserman, 07/21/2016
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
I've owned by IS 250 for 8 years now and I have literally only put gas and oil in it. Nothing has gone wrong. I do the various required maintenance (at 30K miles, and so on), but it's been a great car. The dealer just wrote me a letter asking if he could buy it back and I honestly can't come close to being able to replace the car with something half as nice for the same price. It's a … keeper.
Best car I have ever owned
5 out of 5 starstony3434, 05/27/2014
2008 Lexus IS 250 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6A)
My 5th car.
This one has been by far the most reliable and pleasant to drive. Not one single issue.
I wish the seats folded and that it had Bluetooth. Everything about this vehicle is solid.
Tire issue but that can be avoided. Factory alignment will make the insides of your tires wear in half the time but there are shops out there that will align it so the wheels are not angled out as … much.
I average 27 mpg.
Max has been 29mpg.
If you really tone it down, 31 mpg hw. These figures are obtained by resetting the trip odometer and then dividing the number of gal it took to refill. I am not that tall so the car fits me great.
5 people in the car is a squeeze but not that bad.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Lexus IS 250, so we've included reviews for other years of the IS 250 since its last redesign.
2009 IS 250 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $31,305 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $225/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the IS 250 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover5 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
Related Used 2009 Lexus IS 250 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Lexus LC 500H 2020 Review
- Toyota Prius 2021 Review
- Subaru WRX 2020 Review
- Mclaren GT 2020 Review
- Volkswagen Atlas 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Lexus IS 200t 2010
- Used Lexus IS 200t 2011
- Used Lexus IS 200t 2012
- Used Lexus IS 200t 2013 For Sale
- Used Lexus IS 250 2014
- Used Lexus IS 250 2015
- Used Lexus IS 250 C 2010
- Used Lexus IS 250 C 2011
- Used Lexus IS 250 C 2012
- Used Lexus IS 250 C 2013
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Nissan LEAF 2024
- 2026 Subaru BRZ News
- Hummer Ev SUV
- 2025 Lexus IS
- 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid News
- 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia
- 2024 BMW 8 Series
- 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV News
- 2025 Lexus LC
- 2025 911
Research other models of Lexus
- Lexus UX 2024
- Lexus Es300 03
- 2025 RZ
- Lexus TX 2025
- Lexus LC For Sale
- Lexus NX 2024
- 2024 TX
- 2024 Lexus RX
- 2025 Lexus NX
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used Audi R8 in Shelbyville, TN
- Used Toyota Mirai in Acton, MA
- Used GMC Savana-Cargo in Wayne, PA
- Used Chevrolet Cruze in Gainesville, VA
- Used Audi A3-Sportback-E-Tron in Hillsboro, OR
- New Genesis G80 for Sale in Woodridge, IL
- Used Oldsmobile Alero in Eastlake, OH
- New Lexus LS for Sale in Jurupa Valley, CA
- New Jaguar XF for Sale in Munster, IN
- Used Mclaren GT in Cambridge, MA