WASHINGTON — With its good handling and more aggressive styling, the 2014 Lexus IS350 with the F Sport package gets back to the original sporty formula introduced in the IS sedan in 2001. The body work seems to be wrapped around, rather than looking bulky like some other smaller sedans.[related_gallery align=”right”]
The front grille is rather large. The rest of the car looks more muscular than past IS sedans, and with a longer hood and shorter rear end, it looks more like a coupe. The price starts at $41,700, and, with the options on my test car, it came to $49,600 — which seems to be around where some of the competition is.
The interior of this redesign is more upscale. Lexus is very detail-oriented, and you can really tell here, with high-quality materials used throughout the cabin. The special seats in the F Sport package are a step up from the regular seats, and have perforated leather. They do a good job of keeping you in place in turns and are very comfortable. The back seats have more room than before, but rear-seat passengers and some rear-facing car seats will still be a tight fit. The optional NAV system worked well, and the Mark Levinson Premium audio system with 15 speakers and 835 watts of sound was loud and clear, though the mouse-like controller is very touchy to use.
The new IS350 AWD is a typical Lexus. As a daily driver, it’s quiet and the transmission is smooth, but when you fancy a back road, the F Sport package includes selectable driving modes for a firmer, sporty suspension. In this Sport S + mode, even the gauges turn red. It does a good job of the twisties — maybe not as playful and sharp as some others but still, it’s a solid all-around sedan. The 306hp V6 has good power, feels faster than it is and lets out a pretty good sound.
Fuel economy is decent: For the 270 miles I drove, it averaged 23.6 mpg on premium, a little better than the combined 21 mpg on the sticker.
The redesigned Lexus IS350 AWD sedan is much more competitive than before. With an upgraded interior and standout style, this Lexus is in pursuit of younger customers. It got me to take a second look. With the optional AWD system, the S sedan is a year-round small luxury sedan that, when equipped with the F Sport package, becomes a car that likes to have fun and still makes for a well-rounded sedan.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
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