Lexus IS 250C Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Lexus IS 250C
Prices: £35,295-£44,185 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 15
Emissions: 219g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 9.0s / Max Speed 130mph
Fuel Consumption: [IS250] (urban) 21.6mpg / (extra urban) 35.8mpg / (combined) 30.4mpg
Safety: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / ABS / VDIM / VSC
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4635/1800/1415

IS 250C: Hardtop Dreaming

Our Rating: No Rating Available

One of the biggest drawbacks of owning a convertible was the fact that until recently most of them came with ragtops. The ragtop was a negative for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons was that they often made the cars look odd when the roof was up. Another reason was because they were easy to break into if it was parked in a bad part of town. And the reason that most people didn't love a ragtop was because they often created a very loud interior when the roof was in the up position. Lucky for the convertible lovers out there most upscale car makers are now making their convertibles with a retractable metal roof.

Lexus is one of the companies that proudly sells a hardtop convertible they call the IS 250c. In fact Lexus was one of the first car companies to offer a production convertible that came standard with a retractable hard roof. The first released the SC 430 coupe back in 2001, but for the most part it hit the road with a thud in the UK. Sales were better in the United States most likely because it was the type of car American's tend to love, a little gaudy and a lot loud.

The IS 250c is much more suited for the car buyers in the United Kingdom. One of the main reasons that this version is more likely to sell better in the UK is because it is based on an already popular model in the IS that people already know and love. Another reason is that the engine under the bonnet is more suited for a car without a top than the older SC 430.

Lexus has placed a 2.5-litre V6 under the bonnet which produces 204bhp and runs silently and smoothly compared to many engines with this type of power. The Lexus engineers were careful to make sure that a driver could enjoy a long trip through the country and not return with shot ear drums. The overall ride comfort is great as well which is not always easy to do when you have to stow a heavy roof in the boot. The suspension of the IS 250c is built upon a double wishbone front and a multi-link in the rear end. The Japanese car maker was also astute enough to run a series of tests to make sure that the car still feels well with the top down.

Anyone who has ever driven a convertible knows that if the sun is shining brightly it is often difficult to see the controls through the car. Lexus was clever enough to change the overall console compared to other cars in the IS line to make them easier to read in direct sunlight. They have also been smart enough to make the doors longer for easier access to the back seats.

Lexus has outdone themselves with the IS 250c on every level. The car looks sexy, drives like a dream and doesn't require any of the sacrifices that are normally required when a person purchases a convertible.