2008 Lexus IS Reviews, Pricing & Specs
The CarGurus verdict
The Lexus IS is compact sport sedan with a large helping of quality.
The second-generation Lexus IS debuted as a new car for 2006. While not as overtly sporty as its predecessor, this IS now has the comfort and refinement shoppers expect from a Lexus. But just when you think Lexus is going to sleep, it pulls a fast one: New for 2008 is the Lexus IS F, an absolutely wild sport sedan with a massive V8 engine.
out of 10 expert review
Look & feel
The Lexus IS stands out from the average Audi thanks to small details. Take the rear door cutline, which reaches over and around the rear window instead of pointing straight up. The car's nose is tapered and the hood slopes aggressively, yet the rear is short and square. On the side, perhaps in the wrong colour, you might mistake an IS for a pricier Toyota Corolla. It's not as low or as sleek as its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis would suggest.
But once inside, you'll realize none of that matters. Attractive colours, especially the matte silver on the centre stack, make the IS look more high-end than the competition does. Even the rear seatbacks are more sculpted than they ought to be in an entry-level luxury car, replete with a few pleats for that tailored style. The leather and wood trim are rich, and what's not leather or wood is mostly soft, padded, and fitted with the same exacting care as the flagship LS sedan. A few more details impress, like the instrument panel gauges with thin numbers aligned to each hash mark, like an expensive wristwatch. Even the hand pulls and speaker grilles on the front doors intersect as the headlights and grille do on the outside of the car. Not many cars in this price category feel this upscale.
The IS F is a subtle but meaningful upgrade in the best tradition of German rivals like BMW M and Mercedes AMG. Everything inflates in size—the wheels, air intakes, and the quad exhaust tips, stacked at either end—without revealing the true muscle underneath.
Performance
The IS comes with two V6 engines in either rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrains. The base IS 250 has a 2.5-litre V6 with power specs of 204 horsepower, 185 pound-feet of torque, and a six-speed manual transmission. Yes, a manual-transmission Lexus still exists—for now. It's a lazy thing, really. The IS 250 never wakes up from its perpetual snooze, and keeping the revs high just makes things louder without the accompanying thrust. It's fun to row the gears in a Lexus, and the clutch engagement and shifter are as smooth as they come. AWD is only available for the IS 250. The better choice is the Lexus IS 350 with its 3.5-litre V6. At 306 hp and 277 lb-ft with the six-speed automatic transmission that's optional on the IS 250, there's no lack of anything. Paddle shifters make the IS 350 truly fun. But, despite livelier steering and a balanced chassis, the IS holds back compared to a BMW 330i, and it dials in more ride comfort.
The exception is the IS F, which has a brutal ride, a loud exhaust, and a 5.0-litre V8 worthy of a race car. This little sedan has 416 hp, 371 lb-ft, and an eight-speed automatic bolted to re-engineered suspension, brakes, and tires. It's so quick and overkill that went it first launched, we saw a journalist crash one into a racetrack barrier in just minutes.
Form & function
Technology
Safety
The 2008 IS comes with dual front airbags, dual front knee airbags, front side airbags, and front and rear seat side curtain airbags as standard. Anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, and stability control come standard. Optional is a Pre-Collision Assist system that uses a radar sensor to detect an impending crash. If one is unavoidable, the seatbelt pre-tensioners activate and the brakes are primed to transmit full braking force the moment the driver steps on the pedal. A reversing camera is available.
In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests for the front moderate overlap and side, it scored the best Good rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the 2008 IS at four out of five stars for the driver and passenger in a frontal crash, five stars for the driver in a side crash, and four stars for the rear passenger in a side crash. __ Update: The 2008 IS came with defective Takata airbags that can explode during a crash and kill the front occupants, so be sure to verify that a used car has received the recommended recall repairs.__
Cost-effectiveness
In Canada, the 2008 IS starts at $31,900 for the Lexus IS 250 and $37,600 for the Lexus IS 250 AWD, and pricing goes up to $64,400 for the 2008 Lexus IS F sports car. Reliability is historically strong on all Lexus models. Fuel economy with the smallest engine is between 9.8 and 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.7 to 7.6 on the highway, depending on the powertrain selected. The IS F does 14.7 L/100 km in city driving and 10.2 highway—not too bad considering how insanely it's tuned. The combination of high quality, comfort, and simplicity make the IS a good choice, but it's not as sporty as its competition is unless you opt for the IS F.
Note: Images show a US model.
What owners say
"Owners of the 2008 Lexus IS generally have a positive impression of the car, praising its luxury feel, smooth handling, and stylish design. Many drivers enjoy its comfortable interior, fun driving experience, and reliable performance. However, some reviewers pointed out that the IS250 can feel underpowered compared to the IS350, and several noted cramped rear seating and less-than-ideal fuel economy in some cases."
Powerful acceleration, Great handling, Fun to drive and comfortable to be in. Good on gas for a V6. Looks great and interior is well built and looks classy. Has a sports performance yet is still comfortable enough to be a daily driver.
September 8, 2013The first thing that caught my eye was the IS' beautiful body lines, and aggressive stance. I was also very impressed with how luxurious this vehicle is even though it was an entry-level vehicle in the Lexus line up. From the leather wrapped steering wheel to the two-tone dash and front door panels (my car has the beige interior), everything about the interior seems to be appealing to the eye. No boring center stack here, especially if you have the DVD navigation with rear back-up camera, the screen is plenty large to read the map or radio stations, climate controls and many other on-screen settings. The only two things this vehicle really needs is about 25-35 more hp for the IS250, and more rear seat leg room for passengers over 5'6" or so. If Lexus could do that for the upcoming IS, I may just have to purchase another. The AWD is impecible in the snow especially if you have a good set of snow tires like Bridgestone Blizzaks!
April 13, 2011The IS 350's performance was praised in the February 2007 Road & Track Japanese luxury sports sedan comparison, in which the IS took first place and clocked a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds and a 1/4 mile (~400 m) time of 13.5 seconds at 103.1 mph (165.9 km/h)
September 4, 2009What owners say
Powerful acceleration, Great handling, Fun to drive and comfortable to be in. Good on gas for a V6. Looks great and interior is well built and looks classy. Has a sports performance yet is still comfortable enough to be a daily driver.
September 8, 2013The first thing that caught my eye was the IS' beautiful body lines, and aggressive stance. I was also very impressed with how luxurious this vehicle is even though it was an entry-level vehicle in the Lexus line up. From the leather wrapped steering wheel to the two-tone dash and front door panels (my car has the beige interior), everything about the interior seems to be appealing to the eye. No boring center stack here, especially if you have the DVD navigation with rear back-up camera, the screen is plenty large to read the map or radio stations, climate controls and many other on-screen settings. The only two things this vehicle really needs is about 25-35 more hp for the IS250, and more rear seat leg room for passengers over 5'6" or so. If Lexus could do that for the upcoming IS, I may just have to purchase another. The AWD is impecible in the snow especially if you have a good set of snow tires like Bridgestone Blizzaks!
April 13, 2011The IS 350's performance was praised in the February 2007 Road & Track Japanese luxury sports sedan comparison, in which the IS took first place and clocked a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds and a 1/4 mile (~400 m) time of 13.5 seconds at 103.1 mph (165.9 km/h)
September 4, 2009I love it. It’s quick, efficient, good looking, reliable
June 27, 2022Great car. Drives nice, excellent features and options. Looking for more power under the hood.
July 6, 2021Great all around car! Really no downgrades for this vehicle. It is smooth as silk on the highway and gets great gas millage. I would buy again! I can't say enough about this car. Lexus is the ultimate luxury brand!
May 14, 2015This automobile is all about affordable luxury without sacrificing sports-car feel and performance. When I get behind the wheel, I don't want to leave. The engineering is unique both inside and out. Although it is not a hybrid, which I intended on buying this time, it does have ultra low emissions which makes me feel better about its impact on the environment. I love that it is all wheel drive, making me feel better about driving in NM winter snow. Absolutely fun to drive.
September 28, 2008Most lexi don't like to hustle, they're built for commuting comfort, and this is no exception. But it doesn't fail its ranking a s a sports sedan - its engine loves to rev, making blistering acceleration never more than half a second away. The brakes are solid, although the electronics make them feel numb sometimes. And the electric steering always puts you exactly where you want to go. The suspension is soft, as you'd expect it to be, but the car doesn't roll in the corners, one assumes because of a low centre of gravity. Only real issue I have come across so far is severe understeer if you have the traction controls on. Turning one of them off cures it. Turning both off will create severe oversteer, especially in wet weather. Build quality is exceptional - as you would expect. My only complaint is the paint - it's rediciliously delicate. Just don't buy it in the mica grey colour, and you'll be fine. It's one of the best looking cars I've ever seen, and not just on the outside, but on the inside, where it counts. The loads of functions have all been hidden away in different places so they're never overwhelming, as it is, for instance, in jags of old. It isn't cheap - but you get loads of kit for your money. And the dealership will take care of you. If anything were to break down it'd be expensive, but the dealer has courtesy transport to retrieve your car and provides you with another while they fix yours. But they only do that because we all know few will ever use that service for mechanical reasons. I can honestly say I plan on never selling this car. It's that good.
September 14, 2008Reliable engine, stylish, sporty and sleek. A great car to drive
January 11, 2021For me, there is no comparison. This car for me is exactly what a car is supposed to be. The comfort, the handling, the performance. I wouldnt change a thing!
September 15, 2020Trims & specs
Base MSRP $56,000 | Seating 4 |
Engine 5.0L 416 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 13.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 19 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $30,555 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 204 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 13.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 25 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $34,185 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 204 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 13.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 23 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $36,005 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.5L 306 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 13.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain RWD |
