2019 Lexus IS 350 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What's new

New upgraded LED headlights optionAmazon Alexa-integrated voice commandsPart of the third Lexus IS generation introduced for 2013

　　To reinterpret an old maxim about judging books, we recommend that you not judge a sport sedan by the size or shape of its grille. At rest, the 2019 Lexus IS 350 might look like an uncompromising sports car, with its pinched grille, prominent air intakes and aggressive body lines. But make no mistake: The IS prioritizes comfort and cruising over athletic performance, owing to a well-honed ride, hushed cabin and a generous set of features.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Lexus IS 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$200/mo  for IS 350 Base

　　IS 350 Base

　　4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $42,180 MSRP4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $44,345 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $45,375 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $46,710 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　With a punchy six-cylinder engine and either rear- or all-wheel drive, the IS is more suited to relaxed driving with an occasional rip through an empty back road than it is track-inspired daily driving. It's less sporty than its European rivals from Audi and BMW, and less feral than its fellow Japanese competitor, the Infiniti Q50.

　　But where some of those rivals feel and ride a bit stiffer, or separate desirable features onto a pricey options sheet, the IS offers an alternative: all-day comfort and a broad range of standard equipment.

　　For 2019, the IS carries over largely unchanged, but there are a few updates of note. Trick new three-beam LED headlights are the most noticeable new option, and there's also new voice command integration for Amazon Alexa devices. Sadly, however, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay still aren't available. And with a frustrating Remote Touch tech interface, infotainment is one of the areas where the IS may give you pause.

　　So, too, may its driving experience, which isn't quite as engaging as that of its sport/luxury sedan competitors. Nevertheless, the IS 350 delivers in many of the right areas. The interior stands out in both design and quality, the standard features are generous, and the convenience and safety tech is top-notch. It remains a smart, if subdued, pick among small luxury sedans.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　

Driving

　　Handling dynamics aren't this car's strongest suit, though you can have fun whipping this luxury compact around a bend or two. The IS 350's V6 is strong, but acceleration isn't as quick as what you'll get from rivals with turbocharged V6s.

　　

Comfort

　　Excellent ride comfort and the serene quietness of the IS' cabin are big standouts in the comfort category. We were also happy with the seats until we sat in the saddle for a few hours, which took a small toll on our lower backs due to some mismatched lumbar ergonomics.

　　

Seat comfort

　　There's adequate lateral support from the standard seats, with additional bolstering provided by the F Sport's more aggressive thrones. Lumbar support is adjustable, but the position is fixed and sits too high to provide long-distance comfort for an average-size driver.

　　

Ride comfort

　　Great attention went into cabin soundproofing. Road and wind noise is sufficiently silenced, and you don't hear much even under full ABS braking. The engine sounds more refined at full throttle than BMW's comparable four-cylinder.

　　

Climate control

　　On a cold and rainy day, the auto climate control failed to sufficiently warm the cabin with the temps set to 75 degrees. The front seats' heating and ventilation functions, however, work well and quickly reach optimal temperature. The heated steering wheel is also sufficiently toasty.

　　

Interior

　　The IS struggles to find a balance between innovation and complication. Its low ride height and roofline require taller drivers to bend and duck to clear the doorways. This cabin has mediocre functional efficiency.

　　

Ease of use

　　The armrests are positioned at a comfortable height for support while cruising. The controls are all within reach, and there's a padded surface to lay your arm on while using the infotainment system's Remote Touch interface. The touch sliders for the climate control look cool and work well.

　　

Getting in/getting out

　　The IS 350's low height requires passengers to dip into the cabin. Even with the easy-entry retracting steering wheel, it's easy to graze a knee against the column climbing into the seat. The rear door openings are on the smaller side and could prove difficult to settle into for older passengers.

　　

Roominess

　　Cabin space is not abundant. The wide center tunnel console and armrests can feel tight and claustrophobic. Rear-seat headroom is limited, especially in the center seat, and there's less legroom than the competition. The transmission tunnel will be especially uncomfortable for the middle passenger.

　　

Visibility

　　Forward visibility is great, and rear headrests don't impede the view directly rearward, but the huge rear pillars and a high body slope create blind spots when reversing. A rearview camera is standard, with parking sensors and an auto parking system optional.

　　

Quality

　　Other than the steering wheel's leather, which looks and feels like wrinkled skin around the thumb rest areas, this interior is done well. The seats have quality stitching, and all contact surfaces are soft with tight-fitting panels and solid door seals.

　　

Utility

　　The IS 350's lack of roominess is echoed in its storage capabilities. The trunk is smaller than those of rivals, there's a significant step from the trunk floor to seatback when the rear seats are folded down, and interior storage space is sparse. LATCH anchors and tethers, though, are easily accessible.

　　

Small-item storage

　　There are two small cupholders in front and one in each of the decently sized door pockets. Another two are in the back, thoughtfully concealed in a fold-out tray in the armrest. The rear doors don't have pockets, so storage in the back is limited to seatback pockets.

　　

Cargo space

　　The cargo area measures 10.8 cubic feet, which is small for a sedan. The top of the trunk opening is only slightly inset compared to the bottom, so you have to bend over slightly and slide your bags in.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

　　Four LATCH anchors are hidden under wide leather covers at the base of the rear seat. Not only do these covers provide easy access to the anchors just underneath, but they also look like they are part of the seat itself. The three upper tethers are also easy to reach.

　　

Technology

　　The IS 350 comes with an impressive list of standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. It doesn't feature any of the latest smartphone integration tech, and the optional Remote Touch controller is unbearably distracting to use.

　　

Audio & navigation

　　The optional navigation system brings with it a larger widescreen display with crisp graphics that are easy on the eyes. Unfortunately, it also adds a joystick-like controller that perpetually frustrates. Imprecise movements make it cumbersome to navigate a cluttered sea of virtual buttons.

　　

Smartphone integration

　　Despite refreshes over the years, the IS hasn't kept up with trends in mobile device integration. There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. An auxiliary input and two USB ports are located under the front armrest, but there's no cord pass-through.

　　

Driver aids

　　A rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and mitigation, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control now come standard. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems are optional.

　　

Voice control

　　Voice controls follow a logical menu structure, with users sticking to top-level commands such as "Navigation." The nav system will allow you to modify individual aspects that it misunderstood during the input process. Overall vocal recognition is good, but Siri Eyes Free would feel more natural.

　　

Which IS 350 does zzdcar recommend?

　　Apart from the less powerful IS 300 model, there's only one IS 350 trim level, so the only question is which options to choose. The F Sport package adds handling and styling verve, and although it doesn't exactly transform the car, we still think it's the best choice: If you're considering the IS 350, it probably means you're also prioritizing its extra horsepower and therefore want a more dynamic driving experience overall.

　　

2019 Lexus IS 350 models

　　The 2019 Lexus IS 350 is a five-passenger small luxury sedan that tops the IS lineup. It's only available with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (311 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque). It can be paired with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission or all-wheel drive and a six-speed auto.

　　Standard features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a sunroof, heated side mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, simulated-leather upholstery (NuLuxe), 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, Lexus Enform Remote vehicle controls, two USB ports, a 7-inch color display, and an eight-speaker sound system with an auxiliary audio input, satellite radio and HD radio. The IS 350 AWD comes with heated front seats.

　　Standard driver assistance technology features include a rearview camera, automatic high beams, lane departure warning and intervention, adaptive cruise control, and a forward collision warning system with pedestrian detection and automatic braking.

　　The IS 350 offers a handful of option packages. The Comfort package adds automatic wipers, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a power-adjustable steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems (available separately). A Premium package includes heated and ventilated front seats.

　　The Navigation package replaces the standard infotainment control dial with Lexus' Remote Touch joystick-type controller, a 10.3-inch display and a navigation system. A 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system can be added to this package.

　　For those who want to dial up the sporting factor, the F Sport package adds revised styling, staggered-width 18-inch wheels (with either summer or all-season tires), a sport-tuned suspension, a limited-slip rear differential (RWD only), upgraded brakes, an intake sound generator that amplifies engine noise during acceleration, heated and ventilated front sport seats, and a special sport-oriented gauge cluster.

　　Stand-alone options include upgraded LED headlights (triple-beam), a power rear sunshade, front and rear parking sensors, an automatic parking system, and a heated steering wheel.

　　

2019 IS 350 Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTBase

　　

Base MSRP	$42,180
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$200/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles