Lexus IS F: Quick Test

The Lexus IS F represents the company's first foray into the luxury-performance segment and it strikes a near perfect balance between... well luxury and performance.

Let's start with the sound emanating from its 416 hp V8. There's a low rumble when you're just cruising along. But when you introduce the throttle to the floor-mat, the subtle V8 noise changes into a deep throaty roar of intake and exhaust music that will have you slowing down just to speed up again.

The biggest dynamic surprise with the hot-rod Lexus is its handling. The king in this category has always been the BMW M3, the current version of which is some 200 lbs. lighter than the IS F. So you wouldn't expect the Lexus to be in the same league as the M3. But it does impressively well through the squiggly bits.

The IS F has supercar rivaling performance stats and that ridiculously cool intake and exhaust noise. If every Japanese luxury car had half this much personality, the Germans would have good reason to be sweatin' bullets.

Lexus, famous for its comfortable luxury cars, didn't lose nerve with the suspension either as it's surprisingly stiff, which pays off in great handling. However, the lack of a limited-slip differential is unforgivable in a car of this caliber. Maybe the Germans don't have to start worrying just yet. The brakes are very vocal about being abused, but always effective.

The IS F's styling is aggressive without going overboard, but if the silly exhaust outlets and the played-out dark wheels went away, they would not be missed.

Inside, the IS F is very dark and the dash surfaces are not very well defined. The carbon-weave on the console looks like it's straight from PepBoys - not very Lexus-like.

The IS F offers a decent compromise between sport and luxury. The seats are great... in the front. The backseat is less hospitable and both BMW and Mercedes give you more room. But you can remove that as an issue by making sure you're the one in the driver's seat.

This Lexus is impressively agile and it has defeatable stability control... but it still needs a limited slip. I'm not givin’ up on that. On the technology front, however, nothing has been left out. Everything you could possibly want is onboard.

The IS F is a lot of car for the money, but it is a lot of money. The mileage is as good as you can expect from a 416 hp V8. The eight-speed gearbox helps eek out every possible mpg.

This is Japan's first super-sedan and Lexus has definitely gotten it right. You owe it to yourself to drive the IS F before buying any car in this class.

On the track, the IS F has super-sedan-class handling and it accelerates like a scalded cat, 4.5 seconds 0-60... but did I mention it doesn't have a limited-slip diff?

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

Lexus IS F

Performance
- Acceleration: Supercar rivaling stats - ridiculously cool intake and exhaust noise
- Handling: Surprisingly stiff-riding for a Lexus, but it pays off - lack of limited-slip differential unforgivable
- Braking: Very vocal about being abused, but effective at all times

Design
- Exterior: Aggressive without going overboard - lose the silly exhaust and the played-out dark wheels
- Interior: Very dark - dash surfaces not very well defined - carbon-weave from PepBoys - not very Lexus-like

Utility
- Comfort: Decent compromise between sport and luxury - great seats... in the front anyway
- Space: BMW and M-B give you more

Safety
- Dynamics: Impressively agile - defeatable stability control - still needs a limited slip though
- Technology: It's a Lexus as you'd expect - it's all here

Value
- Price: A lot of car for the money, but it is a lot of money
- Mileage: eight-speed gearbox helps tremendously

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: First Japanese super-sedan - you just have to drive it
- Fun to spank: Accelerates like a scolded dog - did I mention it's lacking a limited-slip diff though?

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 5.0 liter, DOHC V8
Power (SAE): 416 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque: 371 lbs-ft @ 5200 rpm
Redline: 6800 rpm
Gearbox: 8 speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3780 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
1/4 mile: 12.7 sec.
Top Speed: 170 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 16 city / 23 highway
Base Price: $56,765
Competitors: BMW M3 (sedan), Mercedes-Benz C63