2017 Lexus IS 300 AWD Review

Lexus is playing catch up in the sport sedan segment and one way it is trying to be more competitive is by introducing new trim levels in its popular IS series.

For many, the base IS 200t would be a great choice, but it’s only available with rear-wheel drive. On the other hand, the range-topping IS 350 drives all four wheels but can be expensive and fuel thirsty. To try to alleviate this issue, Lexus has recently introduced a model right in the middle of the lineup that can only be had with all-wheel drive. Called the IS 300 AWD, this in-betweener might be the Lexus shoppers are looking for.

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[bg]

The combination of upbeat, happy music w/ complaints confuses my brain

[ARentz]

I don't think a car that goes 0-60 in 6.1 seconds is slow. It does have a fairly tall second gear however, which can make it "feel" slower. The IS 200t is actually going to be slower 0-60 and in everyday driving thanks to its lower horsepower and its turbo lag (just ask users on Club Lexus).

[venom]

That music needs to go, you are a car reviewer not a DJ.

[TheWOWRichardqian]

Picked the wrong reviewer, just like picked wrong trim. Messed up from the beginning.

[ericchang]

21 mpg? Holy cow my Camaro SS with a 6.2L v8 gets 19 combined.

[chrisdooley]

255hp from a 3.5 V6 these days? Not smart esp for that price. They should've put an upgraded turbo motor in it with adequate torque imo

[kevinalan]

It has always seemed absurd to me that journalists pin a vehicles lack of acceleration on minimal weight gain like 150lbs. A passenger would likely weigh nearly that or more and you'd be hard pressed to notice a difference in acceleration with someone tagging along in the seat beside you. Lack of hustle on on-ramps and a heavy feeling is likely due to the detuned engine that has lost over 50 ponies and chunk of torque that went along with it, combined with drivetrain power loss from the awd system.

[HH-qtbh]

Heavy because of 150lb? Bruh I hope this is not your day job.

[rmatz]

I think Lexus should give the is300 the engine from the is350 and the then throw a turbo on the is350. 255 horsepower and 236 lbs. of torque from a 3.5 liter v6 is unacceptable in 2017.

[jalmonte]

kill that music.especially while talking

[InvestBetter.]

Definitely looks better than the competition, but is a step behind in the rest, except the driving experience in 350 F-Sport which is top-notch. The car needs to go on a serious diet.

[chooseymomschoose]

"...slow car..." In comparison to what?

[HodsBroo]

so many haters oh man. I appreciate lexus' effort. that being said, drop this engine. id like to see 2.0t awd and a new 3.5t.

[rudfil]

You can call this Lexus IS the anti-snob luxury car unlike a European luxury car... : )

[iennguyen]

just one one thing on this I don't like is the grille the f-sport model 350 is look more fanstatic grille

[Tully]

You made a six minute video (often talking in circles but with indecision) of which your conclusions can be stated in 30 seconds: Great reliability, fit and finish but engine is anemic. Better option is the IS350 AWD model. Both identical cars but you get better performance with the IS350.

[cancercell]

Mazda 3 looks better on the outside and on the inside, the only fault that mazda may have is that it doesn't have that much power.

[andreakatickles]

I'm not sure if I was paying more attention to the Lexus or his lisp

[ecbcbm]

I drove the 250t the other day. Hated it! Turbo lag felt like an eternity. Push the gas on the street and literally nothing happenes; car barely moved for a full 2 seconds.

[jamesmin]

Leave it to Toyota to stuff a 255HP 3.5L V6, when they are putting in 268HP 3.5L V6 into Camrys, Venzas, Siennas, Highlanders and Avalons. Should the premium car buyers really deserve less and get penalized? I understand the concept of detuning something, so you that can charge more for the IS350--almost everybody employees this tactic in the market.

But they seriously had to go out of the way to actually DESIGN a 255HP engine. No other car in Toyota/Lexus line up has a 255HP 3.5L. They did the same thing for last generation GS460. While LS460 was making 380HP, they decided to bespoke the GS460 with a 342HP. Did BMW do this with their 550i vs 750i? Did Mercedes with E550 vs S550? It is a stupid idea. A GS will not cannibalize sales of an LS, because it has the same horsepower.

The only logical thing that I can think of for the IS300 is that the claimed 255HP is a lie. In reality, it might have 268HP... it's just such a small gap against the 306HP IS350, it could just be a marketing thing. Until someone dynos it, it's just a speculation.