Lexus IS S-Design vs Executive

pajo1981

Lads and lassies, can somebody please tell me what the difference between the S-Design and Exec spec was on the Lexus IS around the 2014 model year.

Also, how horrible or not is the CVT in the IS300H, and how does the car compare generally to the 320D?

Any information/personal experiences would be greatly appreciated

Thanks.

bazz26

S-Design is a sportier spec but has less toys than the Executive. Haven't driven one myself but I have heard that the CVT box takes a bit of getting used to. Also you cannot really directly compare a 2.5 litre 6 pot hybrid to a 2.0 litre 4 pot diesel as they are at different ends of the spectrum. The hybrid will be quieter/smoother/more refined but the diesel will be more frugal if you do lots of motorway driving.

pajo1981

bazz26 wrote: »

S-Design is a sportier spec but has less toys than the Executive. Haven't driven one myself but I have heard that the CVT box takes a bit of getting used to. Also you cannot really directly compare a 2.5 litre 6 pot hybrid to a 2.0 litre 4 pot diesel as they are at different ends of the spectrum. The hybrid will be quieter/smoother/more refined but the diesel will be more frugal if you do lots of motorway driving.

IS300H is a 4 cylinder. It was benchmarked against the 320d for performance & ecomony and is almost identical in that regard.

It's Lexus' replacement for the IS200d

Del2005

pajo1981 wrote: »

Lads and lassies, can somebody please tell me what the difference between the S-Design and Exec spec was on the Lexus IS around the 2014 model year.

Also, how horrible or not is the CVT in the IS300H, and how does the car compare generally to the 320D?

Any information/personal experiences would be greatly appreciated

Thanks.

I've the CVT box in my 08 GS450h and have no problems with it, the hybrid and V6 gives plenty of power from any speed. Don't know if it's the same box in newer cars. If not used to automatics the lack of engine braking can take a bit of getting used to.

Oafley Jones

bazz26 wrote: »

S-Design is a sportier spec but has less toys than the Executive. Haven't driven one myself but I have heard that the CVT box takes a bit of getting used to. Also you cannot really directly compare a 2.5 litre 6 pot hybrid to a 2.0 litre 4 pot diesel as they are at different ends of the spectrum. The hybrid will be quieter/smoother/more refined but the diesel will be more frugal if you do lots of motorway driving.

S-Design is poverty spec. Executive being the next one up... and pretty decent in terms of toys. F-Sport is the "sporty" one.

edit: The IS300H engine is a 4 cyclinder 2L hybrid unit.

route66

Oafley Jones wrote: »

S-Design is poverty spec. Executive being the next one up... and pretty decent in terms of toys. F-Sport is the "sporty" one.

edit: The IS300H engine is a 4 cyclinder 2L hybrid unit.

FYP: The IS300H engine is a 4 cyclinder 2.5L hybrid unit

bazz26

Always thought that 2.5 was a 6 pot.

Oafley Jones

bazz26 wrote: »

Always thought that 2.5 was a 6 pot.

The 6 cylinders engines are still used in the 450hs.

route66

I've driven both and would much prefer the Lexus, although I accept much of this is based on subjective opinions of the 3 series diesel:

• Hate Diesels
• Image
• Interior

However, one thing nobody would dispute is that the Lexus will be much more reliable than the BMW with its unreliable 2.0 diesel engine. A quick google will uncover various surveys to back this up - i.e. Auto Express 2015 survey: link that has the Lexus in 1st position overall with the 3 series a distant 51st.

route66

bazz26 wrote: »

Always thought that 2.5 was a 6 pot.

It was in the last model - and a lovely V6 it was too