Lexus takes on the 3 Series … once more
by Luke Vandezande

Perhaps someone utilized to chide you while you did your chores. “ Keep scrubbing, it develops character, ” they may have said. You most likely never ever understood what that meant. Most put on ’ t. However ‘ character ’ indicates a great deal to Lexus. So much so, in reality, that it reversed all the character lines on the 2014 IS sport sedan to flow far from the nose rather than in to it.

Like in so numerous Lexus products, an offered F Sport plan adds a more gaping grille, large lesser intakes and unique wheels. There ’ s also more on tap with the F Sport bundle depending on which powertrain you choose — however that will enter play later on.

The rear end likewise gets the exact same shapely redesign with taillights that wrap around the car ’ s flared wheel arches. Even if you wear ’ t choice the F-Sport bundle, there ’ s still a great deal to like about latest Lexus.

Requirement exterior equipment consists of HID headlights, although those can be exchanged for LEDs to match the accents underneath. You ’ ll additionally get 17-inch alloys with the choice to trade up until 18- or even 19-inch wheels.

Requirement styling for the grille isn ’ t bad, however sitting beside the F-Sport variation it begins to look stodgy.

DRIVETRAIN DISAPPOINTINGLY UNCHANGED

For a vehicle with such radical bodywork, wishing for more under the hood would appear practical. However Toyota, Lexus ’ moms and dad brand name, appears to adore letting engines go stale.

For instance, it unveiled the new line of Toyota pickup in Detroit with nary a nick of a modification.

Likewise, you ’ ll get the exact same 2.5- and 3.5-liter V6 engines as the old cars with unchanged output.

That suggests 204 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque for the 2.5-liter or 306 hp and 277 lb-ft with the 3.5-liter device.

Running from 0-60 mph occurs a strong 5.6 seconds with the bigger engine, though it takes an uninspiring 7.9 seconds with the small V6. That ’ s a dissatisfaction, especially when you think about that Lexus seemed so bent on unseating the BMW 3 Collection.

Those engines are OK, but they can ’ t take on the torque from the turbocharged BMW powerplants – or their fuel economy. While the 335i ’ s thrust makes it visibly quicker, both six-cylinder rivals are so quick it nearly doesn ’ t matter.

The base engines offer the most obvious space, with the IS250 a downright bore, dropping 75 lb-ft of torque to the 328i.

As for fuel economic climate, it ’ s not even close, the BMWs, usually, getting 3 mpg better on the freeway and a touch much better in the city.