Lexus IS300h Premier review

TBi

Just bought IS300h Premier (2015) and here are rambling thoughts after a few weeks of ownership. There aren't many reviews of these on here. It's the (almost) fully loaded version with Mark Levinson Audio and Premium Sat Nav.

Almost didn't buy it due to all the reviews. I've driven the same vintage 3 series and A4 and they just don't compare. The 3 series was a better drivers car, by a small margin, but are generally diesel and diesel is the devils fuel.

The IS is very smooth and refined during normal driving, no loud diesel clattering as you drive around. The engine does rev up and get loud when you floor it but you only really notice due to the lack of noise the rest of the time. There's also enough power (for me) to perform brisk overtakes without flooring it. The more i drive it, the more i like it.

The CVT gearbox is far better than people say. I drove the 8 speed auto 3 series which was very smooth for a regular auto but you could still feel the gear changes. It was never a perfectly smooth drive like the IS. Also that car had a lag when flooring it just like the IS in normal mode. (Combination of turbo lag and the gearbox hunting for a lower gear).

Another plus of the IS is the tech you get with it as standard. (We have an i3 with the upgraded widescreen sat nav, which is great, but lights for the vanity mirrors in the sunshades was an extra. Unfortunately that box wasn't ticked so we have no lights there.) I actually quite like the remote touch 'mouse' and find it quick and easy to get around. I really love how the mouse feel 'adjusts' to the on-screen buttons so you can feel the cursor going over them. My biggest issue is how slow the system is, possibly this is why people get aggravated with it. When you come from super smooth BMW iDrive it really does show it's weaknesses. Even changing songs on iPod is far too slow.

Average fuel consumption is 5.9l/100k (48MPG) at the moment and i'm not doing any fancy fuel saving maneuveres. I know a diesel might get better economy but life is too short to drive a diesel...

Soarer

Fair play tbi.

Always had an is300h on my wish list, probably an F Sport. But after going fully EV, I don't think I could go back to a hybrid.

Lovely cars though.

TBi

Soarer wrote: »

Fair play tbi.

Always had an is300h on my wish list, probably an F Sport. But after going fully EV, I don't think I could go back to a hybrid.

Lovely cars though.

I wanted a second EV but range is still too limited in EV to have two in the household. If the charging network was being expanded we might have gotten a second one but lately every charger is either taken or broken down. Will still keep the i3 though. Just keep within the range.

zilog_jones

Glad you're happy with it, and that's very respectable fuel economy for such a large car with a petrol engine. Diesels in premium cars seems like such a farce.

I think a lot of people don't like the Toyota eCVT transmissions because it's just different rather than being inherently bad or anything. I agree they're very refined, and responsive when they need to be.

PaulKK

Been having a look at these recently and I like the look of them.

VRT seems low due to low co2 figures.

A couple of questions if you wouldn't mind TBi?

What is the performance like compared to say a 320d?
I know the handling isn't quite as good either but is it in any way comparable?

The 0-100km/hr time looks dreadful for 220bhp at 8.4 seconds. I read the 70-120 time however is quite impressive? Is that the case?

Still averaging 48mpg? That seems quite acceptable.

Space wise, room in the back? Boot big enough for kids buggy's etc?

The biggest single thing that is currently putting me.off to some extent is the somewhat 1990s vast expanses of cheap looking plastic around the centre console and gearstick. Does this look/feel better in the flesh?

I'm led to believe the leather is a much higher standard than the German counterparts though.

The high standard spec appeals, as does auto and a move to hybrid.

I haven't had a chance to go and look at one in the flesh apart from some I've seen parked up.

TBi

PaulKK wrote: »

What is the performance like compared to say a 320d?
I know the handling isn't quite as good either but is it in any way comparable?

Handling is very good. You can sometimes feel the extra weight in the back but both are a joy to drive. In a 320d you can feel the big lump of weight over the front so win some/lose some. I really think journalists are comparing it in their mind to 6 cylinder turbo charged petrols and not 320ds.

I've only driven a 318d auto so can't compare to a 320d. The main difference i found is that you don't get the 'kick' like you do from a diesel, this car just continuously accelerates and you find yourself going very fast if you aren't watching. After driving it for a while i much prefer the smooth nature of the car (plus the quietness and lack of vibration).

PaulKK wrote: »

The 0-100km/hr time looks dreadful for 220bhp at 8.4 seconds. I read the 70-120 time however is quite impressive? Is that the case?

Still averaging 48mpg? That seems quite acceptable.

I find the acceleration from 70-120 to be great. You start going fast very quickly and because there is no kick you don't realise how fast it's going.

Averaging 47mpg at the moment with the colder weather. And that's with my lead footed better half driving. She normally add's another l/100km onto the consumption of previous cars. This is the first one where she hasn't made a dent in the fuel economy. Not sure if it's her or the car...

PaulKK wrote: »

Space wise, room in the back? Boot big enough for kids buggy's etc?

The biggest single thing that is currently putting me.off to some extent is the somewhat 1990s vast expanses of cheap looking plastic around the centre console and gearstick. Does this look/feel better in the flesh?

I'm led to believe the leather is a much higher standard than the German counterparts though.

The high standard spec appeals, as does auto and a move to hybrid.

I haven't had a chance to go and look at one in the flesh apart from some I've seen parked up.

Boot isn't as deep as the 3 series, it was a worry for us but hasn't been an issue since we bought it.

My wife initially didn't like the interior compared to the more minimalist 3 but it's grown on her and she likes it now. The whole car is so nice that is does grow on you. Most 3 series you can buy are low spec and you can feel the difference in interior, the lexus is superior. The leather is definitely better and the spec you get is fantastic for less money.

I'm glad i didn't believe the reviews of this car. They really don't understand it so they write it off, similar to how journalists wrote off electric cars years ago. Take one for a long test drive, stick it in sport mode and enjoy the smooth acceleration.

scooby77

Thanks for reviews so far. Be interested in hearing your reports of driving it in snow (if you get some, can't see location on mobile site)
I remember reading it better than MB and BMW RWD in snow, possibly due to hybrid battery weight? Also some or all markets have a "Snow" mode?

Mooooo

Would the 330e be the bmw to compare it to? Dunno what the comparison is price wise?

unkel

Nah, the BMW is a PHEV - you get the €7,500 subsidy and a free home charger. Lexus is just a hybrid.

TBi

Mooooo wrote: »

Would the 330e be the bmw to compare it to? Dunno what the comparison is price wise?

330e is a standard BMW with an electric motor. It's petrol but has a gearbox, turbo and other extra mechanical parts that can breakdown compared to the lexus.

It is a lovely car to drive with loads of power, but i went lexus for reliability and the simplicity of the system. The IS300h uses a very simple reliable naturally aspirated engine. No turbo to worry about and no gearbox to worry about amongst others.

scooby77 wrote: »

Thanks for reviews so far. Be interested in hearing your reports of driving it in snow (if you get some, can't see location on mobile site)
I remember reading it better than MB and BMW RWD in snow, possibly due to hybrid battery weight? Also some or all markets have a "Snow" mode?

I drove a 3 series through the big snow storm of 2008. Never had an issue with it. The only time i kicked the back out was when i put the foot down to get the back out. Most people just don't know how to drive in the snow, a front wheel drive car is more forgiving but rear wheel drive is fine.

unkel

TBi wrote: »

I drove a 3 series through the big snow storm of 2008. Never had an issue with it. The only time i kicked the back out was when i put the foot down to get the back out. Most people just don't know how to drive in the snow, a front wheel drive car is more forgiving but rear wheel drive is fine.

Agree with your general point, most of my cars have been RWD. But without winter tyres in the snow we had in 2010 most RWD would struggle with even a slight incline. A few sandbags in the boot will do wonders though

TBi

unkel wrote: »

Agree with your general point, most of my cars have been RWD. But without winter tyres in the snow we had in 2010 most RWD would struggle with even a slight incline. A few sandbags in the boot will do wonders though

All you need is a good run up Or just reverse up the hill!

Matt Simis

Mooooo wrote: »

Would the 330e be the bmw to compare it to? Dunno what the comparison is price wise?

My dad has a FSport IS300H too. I borrow it for touring in-laws around the country. . Did decent miles in it.
Performance wise, its bark is far worse than its bite (its not fast, suspect the 330e eats it for breakfast) but its not really meant to be compared to a 330(e/i/d) so thats fair enough.

Someone mentioned the interior, other than the low slope of the C pillar (rear door), everyone likes the interior. Fit and finish seem excellent (Fsport has the cool movable speedo thing in sport). Been very reliable too. Only wish it had 3x the battery power to actually drive around on EV mode in a more useful fashion.. but again for the generation (its not a PHEV) thats par for the course too.

TBi

Matt Simis wrote: »

Performance wise, its bark is far worse than its bite (its not fast, suspect the 330e eats it for breakfast) but its not really meant to be compared to a 330(e/i/d) so thats fair enough.

I think this point really needs to be clarified. It's not fast compared to a 330 anything. However the acceleration is comparable to a 320d which is the market it is in and what it's priced against.

Matt Simis

TBi wrote: »

I think this point really needs to be clarified. It's not fast compared to a 330 anything. However the acceleration is comparable to a 320d which is the market it is in and what it's priced against.

Yup definitely and far more interesting and nice to drive too. Also, the Fsport version at least handles like its on rails.

unkel

TBi wrote: »

I think this point really needs to be clarified. It's not fast compared to a 330 anything. However the acceleration is comparable to a 320d which is the market it is in and what it's priced against.

Cheapest IS300h and 330e are both €41k

I know which one I'd have :pac:

TBi

unkel wrote: »

Cheapest IS300h and 330e are both €41k

I know which one I'd have :pac:

Yep the IS300h. The cheapest IS300h has a higher spec than base model 3 series.

Plus the boot in the 330e is VERY small. If they made an estate i would have probably gotten one.

Deliberator

I imported an IS300 Executive Edition 6 months ago. I am very pleased with it, all round. Similar to TBi, I have been averaging around 48/49 MPG, mostly in and out of the city every day. Scoring major savings in road tax and fuel costs, after shedding my big old petrol beemer.

I'm very happy with the quality and refinement overall, and coupled to the seemless switching to battery during low speed and braking, it produces a quiet ride similar to a BEV.

I've been driving automatics for nearly 18 years now (Honda*3, Jaguar*1, BMW*2) and I honestly cannot fault the Lexus E-CVT. I've not yet had the opportunity to drive in the snow, so haven't tried the Snow mode yet.

f@steddie

Deliberator wrote: »

I imported an IS300 Executive Edition 6 months ago. I am very pleased with it, all round. Similar to TBi, I have been averaging around 48/49 MPG, mostly in and out of the city every day. Scoring major savings in road tax and fuel costs, after shedding my big old petrol beemer.

I'm very happy with the quality and refinement overall, and coupled to the seemless switching to battery during low speed and braking, it produces a quiet ride similar to a BEV.

I've been driving automatics for nearly 18 years now (Honda*3, Jaguar*1, BMW*2) and I honestly cannot fault the Lexus E-CVT. I've not yet had the opportunity to drive in the snow, so haven't tried the Snow mode yet.

Does yours have adaptive cruise control? And if so how do you find it?

Deliberator

f@steddie wrote: »

Does yours have adaptive cruise control? And if so how do you find it?

No, unfortunately mine does not have ACC. If I had have known about it earlier, I would have looked for it...

TBi

Deliberator wrote: »

No, unfortunately mine does not have ACC. If I had have known about it earlier, I would have looked for it...

I thought it was only an option on premier models? Those are rare enough as it is... even rarer to find one with ACC. I was looking, I think I only found 1 in 6 months.