Lexus IS 250 AWD

Lexus IS 250 AWD

Everything You Need and Then Some   

    When Lexus debuted the IS 300 way back in 2001, it was love at first drive for me. It was fun and quick, and as a watch collector, I especially appreciated the chronograph-style speedometer. It was a peppy little rear-drive sport sedan that had a lot of character.

    The IS went through some changes here and there, taking on a more elegant, Lexus-type look. A 4-cylinder engine was added to the lineup, and it lost the chronograph.

    Then, for 2014, the IS got a major makeover. It is both sophisticated and bold, boldness being a style element that had gone missing from the IS family for a while. It gets the Lexus nose -- the spindle grille, framed in chrome. The wheelbase increased by almost three inches and it grew nearly a half-inch wider, which adds to its aggressive stance. With 17-inch aluminum wheels, the IS 250 is a standout.

    As for the engine, the 2.5-liter V6 checks in with 204 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. While not an overwhelming amount of showiness, it’s definitely enough. If you’re looking for some growl, consider the IS 350. But, if you’re looking for something that purrs, something with spunk, then the IS 250 fits the bill. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic which becomes fun to control with the paddle shifters. The 250 has plenty of pick-up, whether you’re rounding a corner or passing on a hill. It responds to pressure on the accelerator without hesitation, and before you know it, you’re cruising along at 85 without a second thought.

    Between the all-wheel drive system and the double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, this car has plenty of grip. To say it hugs the road is an understatement. As a driver, I always felt in complete control of the car, because it seemed so buttoned up. Front to rear, side to side, the IS is a well balanced, well-proportioned daily driver. There’s no torque steer to speak of, no understeer, and -- to invent a word -- there’s no squirelliness. Yes, there are other cars that would run circles around it on the Autobahn, but this is the real world. In other words, the IS 250 AWD is a well-behaved vehicle, great for people who like performance blended with a little luxury.

    Luxury comes in the form of heated and cooled perforated leather seats, among other things. My favorite feature (for my always-cold hands): the heated steering wheel. There’s some definite motivation for keeping your hands firmly planted at 10 and 2! Like other cars in the Lexus family, this one has enough technology to keep you learning for years. There’s Park Assist, Navigation, Bluetooth Apps, and a Multi-Information Display to name a few of the perks. But I say turn up the 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and just drive.

    That’s because this car is great to drive. If you strip away all of the flashiness, what you’re left with is a solidly built chassis that gives you just enough of what you need and even a little of what you don’t. Now, if we could just convince Lexus to bring back the chronograph speedometer...

    Base price on this vehicle is $38,485. As tested, it rolls in at $45,140.