New Lexus IS facelift 2017 review

While the updated Lexus IS isn’t likely to topple the German establishment overnight, it’s not to be overlooked. The high-quality interior, stylish looks, tidy handling and tax-cutting powertrain mean it’s a great left-field choice that will suit many drivers down to the ground. If you’re after a small executive car, don’t forget the IS.

If you’re in the market for an executive saloon, there are three go-to models to consider: the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. All excellent cars, but even their biggest advocates will admit that they don’t feel quite so exclusive these days - and that’s where cars like this refreshed Lexus IS come in.

The IS joins cars such as the Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia to offer something a bit different in the executive car segment. This mid-life facelift means it has more in common with those two models than ever, with the new grille, bumper and light designs giving it a handsome new look. It’s not as pretty as the stunning Alfa, but a relatively small set of updates have lifted the IS, especially if you go for the racy F Sport trim. 

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The car we tested was a Luxury-spec model, and while it does without the sportier bumpers and body kit from the F Sport, it’s still a distinctive and stylish car. It’s not quite so chic on the inside, with a smart-suited and rational cabin design, but the high-quality materials and impressive build quality are big selling points for the IS. 

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It’s a very comfortable place to spend time, with plush heated and ventilated leather seats, offering a great and highly manipulable driving position. Sadly it’s still fitted with Lexus’s ageing infotainment system controlled by a small mouse-like knob on the centre console, which is one of the most frustrating systems of its type. The screen looks good, but the user interface makes finding a radio station feel like you’re hooking ducks at the fair.

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Luckily the driving experience is serene enough to counteract that irritation, as it’s very quiet inside thanks to that hybrid powertrain. At low speeds the engine isn’t even on – with electric power alone driving the car forward. But even when it turns on, the four-cylinder unit is pretty hushed, and wind and road noise are relegated to the background.

At low speeds and when travelling at a cruise, refinement is good, but bring up the pace and things get a bit noisier. The CVT gearbox works well most of the time, but put your foot down and the revs flare. There’s a fake-sounding engine note in the cabin, but it’s more buzzy than sporty - and the Lexus doesn’t feel as punchy as its diesel rivals from the German brands. 

With 221Nm of torque from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and 300Nm from the electric motor, the IS 300h feels punchy enough to keep up, though. An IS 200t non-hybrid turbo petrol is carried over from the pre-facelift car, but it’s only marginally faster and much thirstier. Lexus says it accounts for just 10 per cent of UK sales.

The IS has quick steering, controlled through a nicely-sized and well-weighted steering wheel, and while there’s not much feel it does help add a bit of fun to the driving experience. There’s not much body roll in corners either, and while the IS isn’t a match for the 3 Series, it’s better to drive than you might think. 

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While the powertrain unfortunately means it can’t take on the best cars in its class to drive, especially as the batteries add a lot of extra weight, it does mean that the IS 300h has a company car tax advantage over the diesel rivals. Economy of 65.7mpg beats the 320d’s 64.2mpg figure, too - and emissions of 101g/km on models with 17-inch wheels keep tax bills lower too. Lower-spec models come in under the 100g/km barrier for road tax exemption. 

The batteries do cut into boot space, with the 450-litre load bay not quite matching the 3 Series’ 480-litre space – but it’s not far off. The IS doesn’t feel quite as spacious in the back as the 3 Series, either, and headroom isn’t great for tall passengers. The plush front seats mean it’s not too uncomfortable for rear-seat occupants to rest their legs against them, though the transmission tunnel means there’s little room in the middle.

While the Lexus looks like good value for fleet buyers, the £34,495 list price of this 300h Luxury version puts it somewhere in between equivalent BMW and Mercedes models. There is a lot of kit included, but we’d probably go for the better-value 300h Advance, which is expected to be a big seller in the UK.