WASHINGTON — Not many entry-level luxury sedans offer a V6 engine as the base engine and the 2015 Lexus IS250 is the last year before a smaller turbo charged four-cylinder engine is the new base engine for 2016. If you wait too long, you will have to buy a more expensive IS350 model if you want a V6 next year.
At a tested price of $46,600, the IS250 isn’t bargain priced. But it is the all-wheel drive (AWD) sedan with some pricey options, which added nearly $7,500.
The IS250 is pretty sporty for Lexus with its bold looks and smaller size. It gives the appearance of a no holds barred, full-on sporty sedan. A large angular grill and the standout mesh style 18-inch wheels really help that sporty appearance.
The Deep Sea Mica paint was a nice looking blue and adds to the luxurious Lexus look.
Some of the pricey options goes toward the luxury package that really decks out the inside of IS250. The leather trimmed interior with real wood trim is a nice touch in the small luxury sedan market. Also, there are heated and ventilated front seats and the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel made proper placement simple as a touch of a button.
Lexus really does excel at their high-end interiors with nice-feeling materials and they are also pleasing to the eye. But there is a strange hump in the driver’s foot well for the AWD system. The NAV screen is a good size and it works rather well.
Just the joy stick mouse-like device you use to control functions in the car is a little strange. It’s touchy and easy to go past the item you want to click on. I had to take my eyes off the road or just forget what I wanted to do until I got used to the touchy controller.
I like V6 engines and the 2.5L six-cylinder engine is a smooth operator, but with 204hp it’s not very powerful. The six-speed automatic transmission does a good job of keeping the V6 in the power when needed and it does it with Lexus smoothness. I guess I see why they are switching to a turbo four-cylinder engine with a promise of better fuel economy and more power than the current V6.
With AWD and suspension with a sport mode, the IS250 will play in the twisties but it’s just as happy eating miles of boring interstate with a quite compliant ride. The fuel economy with the current base V6 is less than some competition at 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway and a combined 23 mpg. I spent a good deal of the 300 miles on the highway and managed 25.3 mpg of premium.
The Lexus IS250 is a rare and disappearing breed in the small luxury sedan market with a base V6 engine. With its standout looks and nice interior, the fit and finish is top notch and it helps the small Lexus be a little different in this crowded class. If this sounds like a ride for you, don’t wait too long; it will soon be four cylinders or a big jump in price for the more powerful slightly less playful IS350.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event solutions for the purpose of this review.
