The IS/350 delivers Luxury and Performance

Author's Rating:

Pros: The IS/350 is a high-performing, fun-driving car also delivers Lexus luxury.

Cons: The navigation system is not ready for prime-time.

The Bottom Line: 
If you are looking for a luxury performance sedan, you owe it to yourself to test drive the IS/350.

Author's Review
For those who find reviews that make relevant comparisons helpful, I hope you find this review extremely useful. I reviewed the IS/300 5 years ago when I bought that car off a showroom floor. (http://www.epinions.com/auto-review-239C-333A2B1D-3A1D3206-prod3) In this review, I will offer subtle and obvious comparisons between the 2001 IS/300 and the 2006 IS/350 from an owner’s perspective. Of particular interest among current IS/300 owners (or used car shoppers) is likely to be an answer to the question – how much improved is the new model IS over its predecessor. This is a good question because the IS/300 is no slouch; it is a sporty sedan that has many nice refinements from Lexus. My short answer to this question is that the IS/350, in particular, is quite a significant improvement over its predecessor. But, when it comes to comparisons, first things first: how does the IS compare to the BMW 3-series? Admittedly, the IS/300 was not up to the real challenge in performance that a 2001 BMW 330 could deliver. The 2006 IS has changed that. The IS/350 arguably out-performs nearly the entire line of BMW 3 series sedans. I will not venture into a definitive analysis of which particular model car is the best luxury performance sedan in its class; the IS and the 3 series are both strong performers, generally, and the ultimate differences are more likely to be subjective tastes rather than objective performance results. The bottom line: the IS/350 is no slouch when it comes to acceleration, torque, or handling and it combines the trademark luxury ride of a Lexus with the performance of a European car in a way that was conspicuously lacking in the IS/300.

Let’s get the bad news out of the way now. I love gadgets and fun electronics, but the navigation feature is not only an overpriced, over-the-top optional gadget, but it actually functions horribly. Despite the quiet cabin and fine acoustics in the IS, the navigation system actually has poor voice recognition. Unless you do not mind spending valuable time repeating commands that are not understood no matter how loud you yell, save your money and decline this dysfunctional gadget. Better, yell at the people in the car with you and leave the navigation system for Lexus to improve next year. It is too bad, however, that the navigation control (mostly the GPS maps and commands) was hard-coded to other more functional controls that might prove useful, such as the back-up parking camera, the touch screen controls for the stereo, and the Bluetooth capability. I suppose Lexus really wants to sell the navigation system regardless of its true functionality. Don’t let them fool you; the navigation system is a piece of crap.


There are four separate models in the 2006 IS. The IS 250 comes in rear or all-wheel drive (AWD), a 2.5-liter engine, and a standard 6-speed sequential manual transmission. The top-of-the-line IS, the 350, is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that can throttle the car up to 306 horsepower. You can also get both models with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the automatic transmission, which is a fun toy that allows manual transmission wannabees to pretend that they are controlling transmission shifting when they really are not.

Lexus says the IS/350 has a new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system to provide superior dynamics and control. I suppose the VDIM really does what it is supposed to do because the car offers plenty of driving fun without ever sensing that the vehicle has lost momentary control. What really sets the 2006 IS apart from its predecessor is the degree to which the model IS follows the design of the GS 300. The 2006 sits on a platform entirely distinct from the IS/300. In fact, the new IS seems more like a new model than an updated one. According to Lexus, the new IS shares no parts with the IS/300, is made with new sheet metal and a new powertrain, and was re-designed in the south of France based on the LF-A design concept. All of these changes have the effect of producing a car that has a very different feel than the IS/300.


New car pricing on the 2006 is more aggressive than it was for its predecessor. By that, I mean, there are more options than available previously and this means the average price on an IS significantly exceeds the previous model. My IS/300 was loaded, and my IS/350 is not, yet, it still cost thousands more. Sure, inflation accounts for some of the price increase, but I bought my IS/300 at the same time of the year under the same circumstances (new model just out). The fact is the spread between the invoice and the MSRP on the 2006 IS is significantly wider. Lexus apparently wants better margins on this model year and it shows. Be prepared.

The interior is no longer retro in looks and design as it was in the previous model. In place of retro looks, Lexus offers optional wood and a lot of modern whiz-bang gadgetry. The new look and feel is roomy, sporty, and luxurious. The IS/350 is both longer and wider than the IS/300, and the couple of additional inches make a world of difference. The driver gets an armrest and genuine coffee holders, not the plastic cut-outs from the IS/300. The rear seats are not vast, but they are roomier than IS/300. The IS comes equipped with a “Smart Access” keyless entry system with a push-button starter. Technically, there is a key for this car, but you will not use it to start the car, and may never use it to enter the car either. The IS you buy is also likely to come with “Dynamic Radar Cruise Control,” ventilated front seats, dual climate control, a moon roof, parking distance radar, a 6 CD player (easily slide 6 disks in the CD slot one right after the other), the ability to play tracks from you iPOD (or mp3 player) without use of an FM modulator or adapter cassette (the IS no longer plays cassettes) - - just plug your 3.5mm audio cable directly into the IS, and a total of 10 air bags. The 2006 IS/350 is definitely a terrific car.