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:

• 

  Great fun and sporty car! - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By calis300 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It handles very well, looks very very nice, and is a hit with the ladies. I really like the interior as well. The only thing that sucks is the gas mileage...but what can you do.

• 

  Fun to Drive! - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By GB - March 10 - 10:03 am

  Bought new. Currently 58,000 miles. Only one problem related to an ignition switch that was very hard to diagnose. Paint is very prone to chips and swirls. Graphite polished wheels prone to damage when tires are mounted. fuel economy isnt fabulous for HP level. A little small for infant seat when rear facing. Oil filter difficult to extract without a mess. Other than these items above, this car has been a joy. Still makes me smile when I blast an exit ramp.

• 

  On month 7 - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Kevin - March 6 - 12:06 am

  I love most everything about this car aside from the craptacular gas mileage. The ride is also a bit harsh, but that might be just me getting older :-) To date I havent had any warranty work done to the car - a primary reason for buying this car for me was Lexus reputation. If you are considering buying this car I would encourage you to do so.

• 

  Unstoppable - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By RJ - February 28 - 3:16 pm

  In 7 years Ive driven 160K+ fun, yet trouble-free miles. Replaced clutch & timing belt @ 100K. Other than that, just tires, brakes & fluids. Still looks & drives like new. I get 24 mpg on the highway @ 80mph. This car handles crisply and has a nice, broad powerband. I read Edmunds reviews on the 02 BMW 3-series & I cant believe it has a similar review score to the IS when every other review complains about excessive repairs & costs. I put more faith in the reviews of people whove owned the car for a while than those who post a review right after purchase. Reliability is the 2nd most important factor in my buying decision. Fun to drive is #1. IS doesnt disappoint in either category!

• 

  Its been over a year - no regrets - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By joeyzasa - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2002 IS300 for over a year now. I still love it. Sure, its not the fastest of the bunch (still pretty quick) and has clear taillights (like every souped up civic out there). However, it makes up for it in so many ways. The car fits me like a glove. Its also nice to be one of only a few IS owners in my area vs the hoards of BMW owners. Overall, I have no regrets with my purchase. The only thing I might change would be to get a 5spd. But the e-shift provides a good compromise between performance and sitting in traffic.

• 

  owner for almost a year - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Kunal Kirpekar - February 15 - 2:00 am

  The car is everything what I expected but, too many recalls and there is a noise coming from the front suspension that is very annoying will mention the in my 15k service!

• 

  IS300 Cheaper BMW? - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By pelindaba - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed driving this car.....0-60 in just under 7 seconds on one occasion! Plenty of zip and it handles very well. I think it is an underated car......only drawback is most of the colors are less than appealing. I am averging 22mpg.

• 

  Excellant Review.. - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By quick - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my IS300 this past July. I am very happy w/ the way it handles and accelerates. The ride is nice and smooth for the tight suspension. I find it easy to out handle the Fire Birds, Camaros and CL-Type S on the road. The GPS system is good. I would probably rate it as 2nd best on the market. It is correct about 90% of the time. I think Acura has the best GPS.

• 

  My happy car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By MCJ - January 21 - 5:23 pm

  Bought it in CA as Certified Pre-Owned. I love the CPO warranty (3 years from purchase and up to 100K total vehicle miles), but havent had to use it. Driving it never fails to bring a smile to my face. Now that its in New England, it is much more rare to see another one, but that only makes it more of a head-turner. The car is small, but comfortable enough for a foursome to go golfing in. I drove it across country in 3 days full of cargo with no complaints. Other than a problem with the dealer fixing my seat heaters (they eventually replaced my seats for me), no unexpected maintenance. Love this car!

• 

  Fun car! - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Ko - December 31 - 3:16 pm

  My top 3 choice was C230k, 3series, and Is 300. I had a chance to test drive each vehicle, and I would have to say in terms of performance and comfort, IS300 blows off the other 2. Obviously, IS300 has its own flaws as well. If you are seeking luxury/status quo vehicle and dont mind spending $1500 to $2500 more, this is definatley not the vehicle of choice for you. However, if you are a working professional, who feel little bit uneasy to be driving around on a sport-car, but miss the good old days, this is the vehicle of your choice. In addition, depending on your negotiation skills, you may easily cut down the price to $29000-30000 without any problem at all unlike BMW or MB.