Skip advert
Advertisement

Lexus IS 250C

Does coupe-cabriolet finally add some fun to exec range?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Lexus IS
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The new folding hard-top Lexus continues where the IS saloon left off. There are plenty of luxury features and it’s a capable enough car, but the manufacturer has ultimately failed to ignite the passion we would expect to find in a sporting convertible.

When it comes to building luxury cars, Lexus sets a standard for quality that few competitors can match. Yet the Japanese manufacturer has always had difficulty injecting vitality and passion into its models. Even the IS saloon feels a bit sterile compared to its German arch rival, the BMW 3-Series.

This fact has clearly not been lost on the maker, so Lexus is introducing the IS-C. It’s a hard-top convertible version of the saloon, and is claimed to address at a stroke criticism that there’s no coupé or convertible in the line-up.

Following hot on the heels of the high-performance IS-F, the IS-C offers much to get excited about – on paper, at least. There’s a choice of a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 engine mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, or a 306bhp 3.5 V6 which comes only with the auto.

Ignoring the folding top for a moment, and the features and options on the IS-C are the same as for the saloon, and the interior is virtually identical, too. The roof itself is an elegant hard-top design that folds neatly into the boot. However, it’s so large that you may want to skip packing a few things if you’re planning a top-down driving holiday.

With the roof up, the IS-C is commendably quiet at speed, thanks to the soundproofed glass and a slippery shape that achieves a drag coefficient of 0.29. Still, we can’t get quite as excited about this car as we would like. Acceleration is only mediocre at 8.4 seconds from 0-60mph for the 250C, and while the auto box works fine, the manual is vague and notchy.

The drop-top adds more than 130kg to the car’s weight, so it’s no surprise that the steering and handling feel somewhat muted, although the structure is pretty stiff.

Overall, the IS-C suffers from the same problem that has blighted the line-up from the very beginning. Although there are few faults, it’s simply not exciting. So the Lexus is exactly what we expected – but unfortunately less than we had hoped for.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Rival: BMW 325i Convertible
Good looks, incredibly robust engineering and a fabulous engine make the 3-Series Convertible an excellent choice. Not only is it better to drive than the IS-C, it also benefits from a more convincing interior design.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,831 off RRP*Used from £15,519
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £9,600
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025