Skip advert
Advertisement

Lexus IS 250C review

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

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,343 off RRP*Used from £9,595
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,754 off RRP*Used from £13,982
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,494 off RRP*Used from £14,350
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,495
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years
MG Cyber X design render - front

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years

Boxy small SUV is gearing up for production, and our exclusive images show how the model might look
News
30 Aug 2025
New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package
BMW 1 Series render - front

New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package

The all-new BMW i1 will rival the all-electric Audi A3 and new Mercedes CLA when it arrives in 2027
News
28 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month

The Renault 5 is taking the market by storm – and at this price it’s easy to see why. It’s our Deal of the Day for August 30
News
30 Aug 2025