Overview & Reviews

For years people associated Lexus with quiet, refined and luxurious automobiles backed by a competitive pricing strategy. "Sporty," however, was far from anyone's mind. Then, in 2001, the Lexus IS 300 sport sedan came along and toppled that image. Lexus wanted this one to be an extrovert and an athlete. With every throttle input and every turn of the steering wheel, this compact, rear-wheel-drive sedan sought to communicate with its driver. With its firmly tuned suspension and sticky high-performance tires, it had the running gear to back up those aspirations.

It also had the styling. One look at its wedge shape, clear-lens taillights and dramatic color palette, and it was obvious this sedan was intended for a younger, more trend-conscious buyer than other Lexus models. A sport wagon version called the IS 300 SportCross was added for 2002, and although it offered a little more utility, outward aesthetics still took precedence over function.

Inside, the compact Lexus IS 300 looked and felt different, too, thanks to its racy watch-dial-style instrumentation, drilled aluminum pedals and chrome shifter ball. By no means was this an elegant cabin, though. Hard plastic covered the dash and console, and feature content never quite measured up to the standards of the class. This half-hearted approach to luxury was the major criticism leveled against the IS 300 during its five-year run.

Although imperfect, the Lexus IS 300 and IS 300 SportCross did get the attention of younger, more performance-minded consumers, which set the stage for their carefully executed successors, the IS 250 and IS 350.

Most recent Lexus IS 300

Based on the Japanese-market Toyota Altezza, the Lexus IS 300 was not originally designed to be a luxury car. When the automaker decided to sell a version of this compact, rear-drive sedan in the U.S., it was retrofitted with additional luxury content and a larger engine -- the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder already used in the midsize Lexus GS 300 sedan.

This 3.0-liter six was capable of 215 horsepower and 218 pound-feet of torque, and paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Although this drivetrain propelled the IS 300 to 60 mph in the low 7-second range, a small but vocal niche of consumers and automotive writers cried foul when Lexus initially failed to offer a manual transmission. The company rectified this oversight in 2002, adding a five-speed manual gearbox option for the sedan. The IS 300 SportCross wagon, which also debuted for '02, was automatic only.

In road tests of the Lexus IS 300 sedan and wagon, our editors noted that their stiff body structures allowed Lexus to tune their double-wishbone suspensions for sharp handling without making the ride too stiff for commuters. "But the IS 300 is a car that needs to be exercised regularly," we wrote at the time. "Well balanced due to its rear-wheel-drive layout, it's an easy car to pilot aggressively, thanks to the responsive steering and braking, nimble size, excellent driving position and 3,280-pound curb weight. The steering isn't quite as precise as a BMW's, but it's close. Very close."

Inside, the IS 300's not-so-upscale cabin was snug, even by the indulgent standards of the premium compact car class. Tight legroom and narrow footwells made it difficult for adults to get comfortable in back, and storage space was minimal. Of the two body styles, the SportCross wagon was the more practical choice, thanks to its 21.8-cubic-foot cargo bay.

Past Lexus IS 300 Models

As a used car choice, the IS 300 makes a lot of sense. Sold from 2001-'05, it hasn't held its value as well as competitors like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but it offers equal or better performance in most areas. Build quality was always above average on the IS, and reliability is consistent with Toyota's typically strong reputation.

First-year Lexus IS 300 sedans were light on content, so it might be a good idea to confine your search to 2002 and newer models. Side curtain airbags, stability control, auto-dimming mirrors and a center armrest were all added to the standard equipment list for '02, while full leather seating and a navigation system became optional. Notably, stability control was only available on models with the automatic transmission. Changes were minimal in the years following.

Despite all the fuss the enthusiast crowd made about the manual-transmission option, manual-shift IS 300 sedans are rare commodities on the used car market, as the vast majority were sold with automatics.

User Reviews:

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  Great car period. - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By Umair - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Got this car only a few days ago, amazing handling and refinement for a supposedly luxury sedan. Very fun to drive, fun to row thru the gears. Still in break-in so i havnt been able to see what this car can really do. But i must say the pull from <3k rpms is adequate, especially if you want to save gas. Interior design may not be all that impressive, but the build quality is something that no photo can describe. You have to go to the dealer and sit inside this car it is amazing!

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  Street Racing - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Witman - January 30 - 5:53 am

  This car is nice around the curves and bends in the industrial areas. It has a nice acceleration and good top speed. The E-shift provides good handling and power too. Very good design also.

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  Service - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By jrtrock - January 29 - 2:00 am

  The car is fun to drive and no major problems. The service at the dealership is excellent but very expensive. I just spent $300 for service at 12000 miles. My daughter has a Cavalier with over 60,000 miles that we havent spent $300 on with oil changes! The Chevy is a better car dollar for dollar! Also had to spend $$ for snow tires on the Lexus. The Chevy goes through anything.

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  The perfect Mix - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By acumenhokie - January 22 - 8:00 am

  I bought my IS 300 in June and have been driving it as my daily driver for 7 months now. So far the car has lived up to or exceeded all of my expectations. Its not going to out perform some of the new sports cars (G35, 330, etc.) but the IS 300 has what a lot of those cars lack. The Lexus name. Not saying I drive a Lexus Im better than you but the Lexus name that says this car was quality built, reasonably priced and fun to drive. The 2JZ-GE engine is under powered compared to a lot of todays sports sedans but it is easily modified to be an unstoppable street machine. I highly recommend this car. You will not be disappointed.

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  Like A Fine Swiss Watch - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By zed-er - January 21 - 2:03 am

  I bought the car brand new. It was one of the first available in Southern California. The car now has about 202,000 miles on it, with regular service by the local dealership. The car has never had a single costly repair. There are no squeaks or rattles. Even with such high mileage, I wouldnt hesitate to jump in the car and drive cross country right now. This is truly a worry free car. Ive owned cars from Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Saab, Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Toyota, VW and Honda. This Lexus has been the best car Ive EVER owned, bar none. Like a fine Swiss watch, it runs forever. And Lexus provides the best car buying experience anywhere in this galaxy.

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  Great Used Car - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By ISDriver - December 27 - 6:23 am

  Bought In 05 with 80,000 miles. It runs great and is lots of fun to drive. I get a lot of compliments on the style of the car. I drive it daily to work and get about 18 mpg and have driven the car to South Dakota and to Florida and if I kept the speed around 75 I got about 27 mpg. I cant complain about that. If I average closer to 85 it drops to 23. I dont mind the miles since it is a Lexus.

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  For a specific purpose - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By Titans Fan - December 20 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for a big car that has alot of room to haul around cargo and people, then you shouldnt be looking for a sport sedan. But if you are truly interested in a vehicle that makes you part of the road then look no further. This cars ability to grip the corners at high speed is rivaled only by your local theme park. Its the most fun you can have in a car.

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  Not a Winter Car - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By JasonW - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I must tell all that are interested in the IS300 to BEWARE if you live in even mild winter climates. I own this car and purchased the limited slip differential and thought that the snow button in the car would help but they do nothing at all in even mild snow conditions. I live in Louisville, KY. It is like driving a death trap. I almost got in a wreck the first week I bought it and actually wrecked this past Thanksgiving. I have to put 200lbs of salt bags in the small trunk to hopefully keep me from sliding and spinning my back tires. Dont buy this car unless you live in the SOUTH!

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  Fun car - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Ko - December 13 - 1:16 am

  Pros: competitive pricing, mechanical quality and reliability of the vehicle. Excellent driving mechanics and handling of the vehicle. Drives like a sports car, yet it has a comfort of a luxury vehicle. Cons: Outdated style (poor interior design), poor MPG. Not a vehicle of choice for winter road.

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  Used Lexus - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By pdiddy - December 4 - 6:43 pm

  Got the Lexus used with 67k. Love the Nav system, leather, power seats. Car has plenty of power and handles perfectly, while the car is still smooth and quiet. Would have gotten a BMW but went with the Lexus quality. For 21.5K OTD, much better than a base model new accord and camry.