Lexus IS 200t - the facelift that changed everything
"Premium" mid-range - while we're replacing the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 in the same breath, we must remember that the Lexus IS is a very serious player in this segment. You can even say that it was created precisely in order to prove to the Germans that not only they have something to say.
The third generation Lexus IS has been on the market for four years. During this time, he constantly proved that when choosing a luxury D-segment sedan, you should not be limited to the German troika. The Lexus IS in many ways offers more for less than the competition would like.
However, four years of production is a lot, so the IS has been given a facelift. However, this one has gone too far. Much further than you think.
Changes seem small
In the restyled IS, we will see different bumpers and a slightly modified shape of the headlights. It should be noted that Lexus looked very good before. He hardly aged. This is due to the rather unusual, one might say, machined lines of the katana.
However, we associate facelift primarily with a change in appearance - and if the IP has not changed too much, we can assume that this is the same car as before.
Inside, we won't feel much change either. At the top of the dashboard is a large widescreen screen with a diagonal of more than 10 inches. Now we can divide it into two parts and display, for example, a map on one, and information about the music being played on the other. As in GS.
However, the handling of this system is still… specific. While many people complain about this type of mice, there is a method for this. Its movement is locked on the available options so we don't have to move the cursor across the entire screen. This logic is understandable.
However, the accuracy is not enough when, for example, we want to select a point on the map. It's almost a miracle because the cursor rarely goes where you want it to.
The Lexus is slightly cheaper than its German competitors, but at first glance its interior looks better. Lots of leather here, not too much plastic. The skin in IS is “hollow inside” in most places. It covers the console components, but there isn't much soft foam underneath. It is also not very durable. We have already seen test tubes of Lexus, in which there are 20-30 thousand. km, there were cracks in the skin. The Germans may have recently become fascinated with plastic, but their materials are more durable.
As for the space inside the car, we can say that it is “sporty tight”. But not everyone expects this in, after all, a fairly large car. Everything is at hand, but there is also, for example, the central tunnel. When we turn right, it may happen that we hit our elbow.
It is so crowded here that if you want to take off your winter jacket while sitting in an armchair, one change of light will not be enough. You will also need passenger assistance. Some people like it, some don't - it's subjective.
Objectively, however, we must also admit that there is not much space in the second row of seats. The driver's seat is quite close to the knees, and a tall person will not be able to comfortably straighten up here either. As a consolation, we can add that although the trunk is large - it holds 480 liters, but like in a sedan - the loading opening is not too large.
... and it rides in a completely different way!
It is difficult to correctly communicate changes to the chassis during the facelift. Let's be honest - customers usually do not pay attention to such things. A car is either good or it isn't, and it either drives well or it doesn't.
However, if we opened our minds to the language of mechanics, there would be plenty of change here. The front double wishbone suspension has a new aluminum alloy lower wishbone. This solution is 49% stiffer than the previously used steel beam. Also new is "hub #1" with 29% more rigidity. In the front suspension, the upper bracket bushing, spring stiffness, shock absorber elements have also been changed, damping characteristics have been refined.
In the rear multi-link suspension, the bushing of the upper arm No. 1 was replaced, new elements of the anti-roll bar and shock absorber were developed, and damping characteristics were improved. The electric power steering control module has also been redesigned.
You must be very sensitive or interested to digest this information. The effect, however, is electrifying. We get the impression that we are driving a brand new IS and not an updated IS.
The body rolls less in corners, and the dampers are quieter on bumps. The car also became more stable in turns. The steering allows you to feel the car very well. Combined with a classic transmission, the IS is hard to pass up. The sporty tightness of the cabin suddenly finds its justification - one wants to swallow the next few kilometers and enjoy the ride. It's not BMW level yet, but already very good - much better than before.
However, the drive units have not changed. On the one hand, this is good. IS 200t with 2 hp 245-litre petrol engine. very dynamic. 7 seconds to "hundreds" speak for themselves. It also works well with the 8-speed classic automatic. Gear shifts are smooth, but sometimes skidding. Manual gear shifting with paddles does not help either - you need to “feel” the operation of the gearbox a little and give it commands in advance so that it can follow our thoughts.
The 200t is a piece of cutting edge engineering. This engine can operate in two cycles - Atkinson and Otto, to save fuel as much as possible. However, it has more of the spirit of old developments from Japan. In practice, fuel consumption on the highway is about 10-11 l / 100 km. About 13 l / 100 km in the city. It must be admitted that this is not the most economical engine with such power.
new quality
When Lexus updated IS, it answered the most important allegations. The IS wasn't too "premium" - now it is. He looked good, but he could always look even better. However, the interior could not be enlarged - maybe in the next generation.
Although the materials in the cabin are not as durable as those of the German competitors, the Japanese mechanics are durable. Lexus IS has a very low failure rate. If you don't change cars too often then IS is really recommended in this segment.
The Japanese have come dangerously close to the German trinity, but are still tempting with prices. We can have a new IS for PLN 136 with a 000 hp engine, automatic transmission and good equipment. Not counting the promotion, the base price is PLN 245. To get something like this at BMW, you need to buy a 162i for PLN 900.
