The all-new 2014 Lexus IS 250 points this important Lexus model in the right direction with a more dynamic driving experience, bold new aggressive design and LED lighting, a new interior design, a new multi-link rear suspension, and a new Drive Mode Selector. Taken as a whole, the all-new I S250 is more fun to drive sitting in a more comfortable and sporty cabin.
I said pointed up because the new style features sharp pointed arrow shapes up front and in the rear. First, the wheelbase has been increased by nearly three inches, the width by nearly half an inch giving the IS 250 a more aggressive stance. The new styling is a further evolution of the spindle grille from the new GS and LS models featuring a more three-dimensional design with a chrome-plated frame with black horizontal slates. HID headlamps feature separated LED daytime running lights that are arrow shaped. The lower bumper features a honeycomb air-intake, splitter, a spoiler with a flat underbody panel, foglamps and a working opening that channels air to cool the front brakes. The silhouette shows steeply raked windshield A-pillars, flared fenders, power-remote/heated sideview mirrors with LED signal repeater, newly designed lower side extensions that angle up to help with outside airflow, pull-out door handles, and a full-perimeter chrome strip around the greenhouse. The new rear fascia features LED lamp clusters that wraparound and point down, a chrome strip that attaches the two lamp clusters, a lip spoiler at the end of the trunk lid, a bold bumper with a black contrasting strip that ends at each side, dual chrome exhaust tips and a diffuser underneath to help with rear airflow. The look is sharp, taut and very athletic. The all-new body design cuts through the air with a slippery 0.28 co-efficient of drag enhancing fuel efficiency and less noise entering the cabin.
To give the all-new IS 250 more excitement to drive is the new construction techniques including laser screw welding, additional spot welding and adhesive body bonding help to provide a substantial increase in overall body rigidity. A new rear subframe and cowl side braces further help to enhance handling control and steering response. Also giving me a more responsive ride and handling capability is the all-new multi-link rear suspension, revised front suspension and electric-power-assisted rack & pinion steering system derived from the all-new GS sedan and adopted for the smaller IS 250.
IS 250 power is generated from a potent 2.5 liter, all-aluminum, DOHC, 24-valve V6 with Stoichiometric direct injection and variable valve timing with intelligence. It produces 204 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 185 lb.ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. This small but potent engine is mated to the reliable six-speed electronically controlled automatic with ECT-i including paddle shifters with rev matching downshifts in SPORT mode to add more fun and excitement to its driving dynamics. The new Drive Mode Selector system features four driving modes in the all-new IS 250. Mounted on the center of the console is a large dial with ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT modes. Just in front is a button for SNOW mode in AWD models. These drives modes are tailored to meet my preferred combination of economy, comfort, performance and handling characteristics. It gives the choice of how I want the car to respond and handle to my throttle and steering inputs.
The new rear suspension and revised front suspension makes driving the all-new IS 250 so much fun and pleasurable. Up front is a double-wishbone setup with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shocks and a stabilizer bar. This new revised front setup gives a 20% increase in sway rigidity and grip. The all-new rear is a multi-link setup with coil springs, gas-filled shocks and a stabilizer bar. Taken together the new suspension helps provide increased grip and control when tackling steeply curving roads. The new electric power steering system gave me a smoother, more accurate feel with greater feedback from the road. It is a great new combination that gives the car better handling with more response to all of my driving inputs.
The brakes are very powerful and linear when applied. Up front are 11.65 inch vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers. The rear discs are 11.45 and solid with single-piston calipers. The braking system is further enhanced with standard ABS, EBD, BA, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and the (VDIM) Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system all working together to keep me in control during high-speed maneuvers and when braking on wet or slick pavement.
The all-new 2014 Lexus IS 250 that I tested came with the custom optional wheel and tire package. It includes 18X8 inch front and 18X8.5 inch rear 10-twin-spoke aluminum alloys with a liquid graphite finish. These beautiful sport wheels are wrapped with 225/40R18 inch front and 255/35R18 inch Bridgestone Turanza low-profile high-performance tires for excellent grip and a smooth ride.
The interior of the all-new IS 250 was inspired by the Lexus LFA supercar with its driver-focused cockpit. My test IS 250 came equipped with the Luxury Package that includes LED headlamps (low-high beam), rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, leather-trimmed interior with high-quality soft-to-the touch materials, aluminum trim, genuine linear dark wood trim on the dashboard and door switch plates, heated/ventilated/rib-quilted front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustments with a driver-side power lumbar control, that is so very comfortable and supportive, leather-wrapped stick shifter, power tilt/telescopic/leather-wrapped steering wheel that feels perfect in my hands with audio controls, radar-sensing cruise control, and a trip computer controls that can be seen on the reconfigurable center screen between the rallye gauges with aluminum bezels. This package also gave the IS 250 extra safety with Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic alert. My new IS 250 came equipped with the 2nd– Generation Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) multi-function control device which controls the navigation system, climate, audio, phone controls and more. It is like using a mouse to click on the desired icons to operate each system.
Standard features inside not mentioned above includes dual map lights, grab handles above each door, two-driver memory, express up/down for all windows, power door locks, Smart Access with push button start/stop, new haptic slide thermostats for the dual climate control system, dual lighted vanity mirrors, dual map pockets behind the front seatbacks, aluminum front door entry plates, easy enter/exit for the driver’s seat, air vents behind the front console, storage slots in each door, self-dimming rearview mirror, garage door openers, power one-touch moonroof, remote trunk release, center console with dual cupholders/storage bin with padded armrest, Lexus clock, rear pull-down armrest with dual cupholders/storage tray, 60/40 rear fold-down seat, Bluetooth, Surround Sound Audio System with HD radio Gracenote album art, MP3 player, USB integration, Sirius Satellite Radio, trunk light and front/rear floor mats. My test IS 250 also came with the Navigation Package that includes Lexus Navigation system, backup camera, remote touch interface, intuitive parking assist, Lexus Enform with App Suite, destination assist & eDestination, Lexus Insider, Voice Command, real-time traffic and weather alerts.
Standard safety systems include front/rear crumple zones, steel beams in each door, steel safety cage, 10-airbags-driver/front passenger front, knee & side airbags, rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, 5-3-point safety belts with front pretensioners/load limiters, LATCH system for child seats, Child Rear Door Locks, Lexus Safety Connect with automatic collision alert, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button (SOS), and enhanced roadside assistance.
The all-new 2014 Lexus IS 250 is an exciting and luxurious compact sporty sedan. It is all-new in every way-outside, inside with revised steering and suspension systems that make driving the all-new sedan more fun and exciting than before.
COPYRIGHT: 2014: HARVEY SCHWARTZ
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price: Base IS 250 $35,950 / As-Tested $43,135
- Engine: 2.5-liter DOHC V6 204 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm / 185 ft-lbs. torque @ 4,800 rpm
- Wheelbase: 110.2 inches
- Total length: 183.7 inches
- Total width: 71.3 inches
- Total height: 56.3 inches
- Track: f/r-60.4/61 inches
- Headroom: f/r-38.2/36.9 inches
- Legroom: f/r-44.8/32.2 inches
- EPA passenger volume: 90.2 cu.ft.
- EPA cargo volume: 13.8 cu.ft.
- Curb weight: 3,461 pounds
- Ground clearance: 5.3 inches
- Fuel tank: 17.4 gallons
- Turning circle: 34.2 ft.
- 0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds
- Top speed: 140mph
- EPA fuel economy: 21 mpg/city, 30 mpg/highway
