![\"2017](\"http:\/\/luxurycarmagazine.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/2017-Lexus-IS200t_1065.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nYou might have guessed that I was a huge fan of the original IS. Then, I reviewed a 2006 IS 350 and a 2008 IS F and gave up. The fizz was gone; the greatness had been sucked out. And yes, even the 400+ horsepower F fell massively short of how good the 215 horsepower IS 300 was.<\/p>\n
For 2014, things got better, kind of. Design wise, I can deal with it, both inside and out. But then, Lexus released a detuned 255 horsepower 3.5-litre V6 IS 300 and I wept. They brought back the name but they chocked the poor V6 and threw in AWD. A more disheartening experience could only have included a 3-speed automatic transmission instead of the 6-speed\u2026<\/p>\n
My hopes then lied solely in the IS 200t, with the promise that its 241 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder and lower curb weight could make it all great again. In short, it\u2019s the best of the IS line-up due in large part to its 258 lbs. of torque available at 1,650 rpm, and 8-speed automatic tranny. The drive is decent with responsive steering and brakes. The cabin\u2019s layout is original and I like it but sadly, the praise ends there.<\/p>\n
Because you opted for a smarter 200t (over a 300 AWD), you do not get a heated steering wheel or navigation. Oh, and forget about AWD because you don\u2019t deserve it at $40,150. If you cross over to the other side of the street, a BMW 320i xDrive<\/em> retails for a grand more but on a 48-month leases, peanuts. Fine, you still don\u2019t get a heated wheel or nav but, well, you understand.<\/p>\n Every time I get behind the wheel of a new IS, my expectations go through the same process as did the original IS 300. Lexus needs to sort out this car and give it a real personality. The Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and Infiniti Q50 are far more interesting.<\/p>\n\tThe Brief: 2017 Lexus IS 200t<\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\r\n\t Lexus has done the unforgiveable to their once brilliant IS sedan; they\u2019ve diluted and killed the car\u2019s mystique. It was an unexpected gift from the automotive geniuses at Toyota and gave hope to driving enthusiast (read: BMW, Audi, Mercedes owners looking for reliability) that an alternative existed. Then, they killed it, nay, crushed, maimed and …<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\tReview Overview<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Performance - 85%<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Driving Experience - 85%<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Comfort - 85%<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Security - 85%<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Interior Design - 85%<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Prestige - 85%<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
85%<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t
<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t
<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n