Lexus IS (Old)
Overall Average Rating - 86.64%
Position in the Top 100 cars - 29th
Plot the IS’s scores on a graph and it would look like the Alps. Reliability and build quality are judged to be better than any other car on Britain’s roads. That achievement is offset by the troughs of crippling running costs and a lack of practicality.
Strong dynamic scores for ride, brakes and handling are countered by poor performance from the straight-six petrol engine.
WINNER OF CATEGORY - Reliability
Have you ever owned a car that’s left you stranded on the hard shoulder? If so, you’ll know how it feels to lose faith in the reliability of your pride and joy. There’s often no coming back from a serious defect, but even a niggling fault can take the pleasure out of ownership. To top this category a model will need a clean record when it comes to parts failure. Lexus is a champ at building cars to last – and here’s the proof. Despite being a decade old, there is no more reliable vehicle on the road than the original IS. A 97.54 per cent rating here is one of the highest on record. Other notable achievers include the Toyota Prius in second, and Kia’s bargain-priced Cee’d in third. Both have edged ahead of last year’s winner, Honda’s S2000, in fourth.
WINNER OF CATEGORY - Build Quality
It’s no surprise the best-made cars are usually the most reliable. It doesn’t matter how fine the materials are if the build process isn’t up to scratch. The original Lexus IS’s success shows that its unbeatable reliability comes hand-in-hand with seamless build quality. With a cabin free from rattles, switchgear that appears new and a box-fresh feeling to the dash, it’s got the lot. SUV big brother the RX is in third place, while Skoda’s Superb takes a well deserved silver medal. It’s a different story at the bottom. Citroen’s C4 is last, while Renault’s Scenic and Grand Scenic do little better. Land Rover’s old Discovery has managed to get seven places off the bottom in the overall chart, but sits in 100th place in the reliability rank.
Ratings
Position in the Top 100 cars
Reliability: 1st
Build Quality: 1st
Running Costs: 97th
Performance: 87th
Braking: 10th
Ride Quality: 14th
Handling: 29th
Practicality: 91st
Comfort: 21st
Ease of Driving: 14th
Manufacturer Verdict (Position - 2nd)
It’s the first time Lexus has had to settle for the runner-up spot, but it shouldn’t be too disappointed. Second is still a glowing testament to a line-up that features quality and reliability across the board.
