Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 81%

The BMW M3, Mercedes 63 AMG and Audi RS4 have a new rival for performance car fans to drool over – the Lexus IS F.

Based on the same platform as the Lexus IS compact executive saloon the Lexus IS F features the luxury manufacturer’s most powerful engine yet.

It looks good and it sounds great. We drove the Lexus IS F for a few days to see if it provides a drive to match the competition too.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

The IS F is based on the same platform as the Lexus IS, the luxury manufacturer’s compact executive saloon. But as one would expect there are significant performance differences between the flagship IS F and the rest of the range. Accommodating the car’s V8 engine required designers to create a larger front overhang which has been balanced by a slightly longer rear. The front has given a more aggressive look with a bonnet bulge, deep front bumper and larger grille and lower cooling ducts. Side vents emphasise the IS F’s wedge-shaped profile. BBS smoked 19-inch alloy wheels are particularly attractive and two sets of twin stacked exhaust pipes catch the eye at the spoiler-laden rear. An F logo finished in blue, black and white reinforces the car’s performance identity. Lexus has limited the UK market’s supply to 150 cars in this, the car’s first year of production and driving our test model only weeks after it had gone on sale, turned the heads of drivers and pedestrians alerted by the IS F’s throaty roar.

8/10

View pictures of the Lexus IS F

2. Looks inside

Two purposeful, floating blue LED-lit needles catch the eye when the start button is pressed and the car kicks into life. A silver carbon fibre-effect finish around the gear-stick also stands out, looking good but less satisfying to touch. A three-spoke steering wheel also signifies sporty intent and feels good. The roof lining is black though those preferring a brighter interior can increase the available light by specifying the car’s only option – a sunroof. Drivers should have no problems finding a comfortable position with eight-way adjustable front seats and lumbar support. The steering column is adjustable for height and reach and boasts three memory settings to accommodate different drivers or styles of driving.

7/10

3. Practicality

Unlike the standard Lexus IS (and its rival the BMW M3), the Lexus IS-F only seats four. Boot capacity of 378 litres is easy to access and there is plenty of cabin storage with cup holders and expandable door pockets.

7/10

4. Ride and Handling

The IS F is based on the IS platform but features a reworked, lighter, stiffer suspension system with a lower centre of gravity for quicker handling response. Electronic power steering varies in response according to speed and shift settings detailed in the Performance section below. There is a wide array of responses from which to choose but the car is nimble when required. We found it’s steering was not quite as sharp as we would have liked, putting it behind the BMW M3’s razor-sharp responses. Ride quality is firm but good with the car perfectly comfortable for long distance travel.

9/10

5. Performance

Lexus says the car began life as the brainchild of two engineers who won over senior management with their concept of a performance car. The F badging came from parent company Toyota’s Fuji Speedway where the car underwent track testing. The Lexus IS F features the most powerful engine the Japanese manufacturer has ever produced. The 417bhp 5-litre V8 produces 372lbs/ft of pulling power. This powers the IS F from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, while the electronically limited top speed is 168mph. Maximum power is delivered at 6,600rpm, just short of the car’s 6,800rpm redline while the most pulling power is delivered at 5,200rpm. It certainly sounds the part and we loved pushing the engine to generate its head-turning roar. At lower speeds this is a distinct rumble but acceleration and higher speeds result in a superb noise – which we never tired of opening the window to hear more clearly. The sound produced when pushing the car closer to its top limit is better still. The Lexus IS F employs the eight-speed automatic gearbox from the Lexus LS 460. It can be operated in one of three set-ups: sport, normal and snow while drivers can also choose between M mode for clutchless manual driving and D for automatic. Paddle shifts sit on either side of the steering wheel and generate different speed responses depending on whether M or D mode has been selected, with the automatic setting proving the quickest responses and high rev changes down through the gearbox.

10/10

View pictures of the Lexus IS F

6. Running Costs

CO2 emissions of 270g/km place the IS F firmly in the highest car tax band G which attracts an annual bill of £400. Lexus says it should return an average 24.8mpg – however, given the nature of the car and the likely reason for buying it this isn’t going to happen often.

6/10

7. Reliability

Lexus and parent company Toyota have a great reputation for reliability: appearing at the top end of the Reliability Index. The IS F is a new car but the IS saloon also has a good history of reliability. There was nothing during our five-day loan of the car to suggest the IS F will be any different.

8/10

8. Safety

The Lexus IS saloon earned a five-star rating following EuroNCAP crash testing and the IS F benefits from the same safety equipment. This includes anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control and ten airbags including driver and passenger knee airbags. Lexus’ Pre-Crash Safety System prepares the car’s safety system when an accident appears unavoidable with measures including tightening seatbelts and preparing to engage the emergency braking. The rear parking camera should reduce the chances of a bump too.

8/10

9. Equipment

Lexus has a reputation for supplying fully-loaded cars and the IS F is no exception. All the interior and exterior design features mentioned above as well as front fog lamps are standard The IS F mirrors the trim level available on the IS SE-L grade with the addition of a multi-media pack. The multimedia pack includes a 14 speaker Mark Levinson premium surround audio system, satnav and rear park assist monitor. All specifications mentioned in this review are standard with the only option to consider being an £800 electric tilt and slide adjustable sunroof.

9/10

10. X-Factor

We loved the car’s race car roar. It’s LOUD!

9/10

Video:  Watch the super-quick Lexus IS F in action

View pictures of the Lexus IS F