Test Drive: 2016 Lexus IS 200t

Published 12:00 am Sunday, June 5, 2016

When people think of Lexus, they typically think of a top-tier luxury car, but they don’t generally think of a world-class performance sport-compact. The Lexus IS lineup may be the best-kept secret in the world of premium sports sedans.

The IS is a compact four-door sedan, and it’s the least expensive sedan in the Lexus catalog. You have your choice of a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine at 241 horsepower, or you can get the 3.5-liter V6 at 255 or 306 horsepower.

As a sports car, the basic IS comes with rear-wheel-drive, but you can get the IS with all-wheel-drive if you select either of the V6 options. With AWD, you get a six-speed automatic transmission. But if you stick with RWD, you’ll enjoy an advanced eight-speed direct-shift automatic. The direct-shift transmission was developed by Lexus to be better than any manual transmission could be. It shifts in a tenth of a second, and uses an internal clutch to avoid power loss.

Inside, there’s no mistaking the IS for its larger siblings in the Lexus stable. The interior is more like an Audi S4 or BMW M3. If you get the optional F Sport package, the upgrades to upholstery and interior treatment are quite racy. I recommend you spend the money and get the F Sport package because it completes the experience.

I had the base engine IS 200t with the F Sport package for a week, but I’ve driven the IS 350 before. The 200t was a little slow off the line, as small displacement turbocharged cars tend to be, but once you get it moving, this is a seriously fun driver’s machine. The suspension and steering are tight, the brakes respond to modulation, and the seats are comfortable enough to settle in for an extended drive.

The base price on the Lexus IS 200t is $38,265 with all fees included. Bump that up to $40,640 for the IS 300 with 255 horsepower V6 and AWD, and to $41,810 for the IS350 at 306 horsepower with RWD. Adding the F Sport package tacks on $3,545 to any model. You’ll like the heated and ventilated seats, but you will love the LED headlights and the F Sport tuned suspension. These really make the IS a standout vehicle.

The bottom line on the 2016 Lexus IS is simple. If you’re shopping in the luxury performance category, looking at Audi, BMW, or even Porsche, you really need to add Lexus to your shopping list. Throw away any old notions about Lexus, because the IS will make a believer out of you.

2016 Lexus IS 200t

Base price: $38,265

Price as tested: $44,830

Type: Compact Sedan

Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (241 hp, 258 lbs-ft)

Transmission: 8-speed direct shift automatic

EPA estimated mileage: 22/33

Road noise: Very Quiet

Curb weight: 3,583 pounds

Final assembly: Tahara, Japan