Used 2019 Lexus IS 350 for sale 

Offered in two trims, the standard feature list includes features like a 7-inch infotainment system, LED headlamps, a moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, and synthetic leather upholstery, which is quite a deal when you look at the price. On the other hand, the F Sports package adds the goodness of adaptive dampers, upgraded front seats, a silver-finish interior, a digital gauge cluster, and more. Also, the fun doesn't end here, add in the Premium package to get a 10.3-inch infotainment screen, 15-speaker Levinson audio system, leather seats, and a lot of other features.

Which trim should you buy?

The IS 350 is the more powerful version of the IS 300. The IS 350 itself is a self-sufficient trim however, the F Sport trim package will give your car a major makeover with upgraded brakes, sport-tuned suspension, a limited-slip differential, heated and ventilated seats and more.

The 2019 Lexus IS 350 sedan might be a compact luxury but engineers at Lexus built it like a sports sedan. It's a decently powered car but there is no change in the power figures from last year. The 350 Lexus IS is rated at 311 horsepower and 277-pound-feet of torque.

This power comes from the hard work of a 3.5L Premium Unleaded V6 engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Though the unchanged power figures is a discouraging factor, all the vehicular sense reported some change. You get a more peppy engine with decent thrust and seamless power delivery.

As can be seen from the table above, the Lexus IS 350 offers the most powerful engine of the lot. However, it does not offer the most torque as that place is taken up by the BMW 330i xDrive sedan. 

How fast is the 2019 Lexus IS 350?

Rather than chasing other sedans like an angry bull the Lexus IS is a humble Japanese machine. Sure it's fast, and easy to handle but acceleration is not its best virtue. As you fire up the engine and floor the car, Lexus hits 60 mph in 5.6 seconds similar to its last year's performance. The quarter-mile figures are not stunning either, the 14 second time for the quarter-mile performance is below average.

The best 0-60 mph timing is reported by the BMW 330i xDrive which can be attributed to its best in class torque on offer. The Audi A4 2.0 TFSI sedan offers the worse 0-60 mph timings due to its heavier curb weight.

Ride Handling

The engine might feel powerless and the acceleration is a weak spot but the IS 350 doesn't let them undermine its road presence. Behind the wheel, it feels sharp and easy to maneuver. The steering is limber and communicative but loses connection while spiriting and turning at high speeds. On the highway, the ride feels nice and composed but going twisty is not the best thing to do in an IS.

There are 4 drive modes each with its own senses. The Eco mode binds the engine and throttles response to make it an old man's ride, Comfort or Normal Made loosen the grip on the engine and makes the transmission more touchy for better downshifts. The Sports mode puts the IS on steroids with more engine noise, instant throttle response, tighter steering, and everything you need to counter the car in front of you. A Sport + mode is only available in the F Sports package. The ride becomes more sporty with adaptive dampers and a limited-slip differential on the F sports trim.

Braking performance

Lexus is known for its reliable braking system and easy to modulate pedal. However, that's not the case with the IS 350. The pedal feel is short and stiffer than most of its rivals. The front brakes are rated at 13.1 inches and the rear rotor size is 12.2 inches. Being a compact sedan the Lexus is not that heavy, it weighs about 3594 pounds which is a sound figure for a car of this stature.

Not much data is available in terms of the braking performance of these cars but the Lexus IS 350 get biggest brake rotors in this comparison. The BMW here is the heaviest sedan here and while its braking numbers are not available, it is sure to offer good braking performance.

The fuel economy is not the best in the world, in fact, the middling numbers for the competition will make your choice even more puzzling. With the Lexus, you have a 20 mpg of city mileage which can be expanded to 28 mpg on the highway. Together you can expect a 32 mpg of combined, mileage from the Lexus IS 350. Similar numbers are featured all across the luxury small car segment.

The mediocre fuel efficiency of the Lexus IS 350 can be attributed to it heavy curb weight and lack of a turbocharged engine. The BMW 330i xDrive sedan manages to score high in terms of fuel economy even while delivering excellent performance.

The interior is as much of a luxury as any German car, though the styling is unique and homogenous to Lexus performance cars. The controls are in the vicinity of the driver and the cockpit-styled Gauge cluster on the F sport keeps the driver's road-focused. The seats and comfortable and higher beltline secure comfort for taller drivers. As for the quality, there is nothing cheap or inferior to feel, the optional wood and aluminum earn them more points for the interior. To spoil their customers Lexus provides a number of options for leather and colors as standard.

The majority of the 184.3 inches of the total length is used for the cabin to deliver more headroom and legroom space. However, it's not particularly a roomy cabin. The front seats flaunt 44.8 inches of legroom space while maintaining 32.2 inches of headroom space. Furthermore, the rear seats are not that comfortable. The low headroom and legroom figures may fool you for a coupe.

Practicality on your Lexus is limited to a certain point, you can go shopping, drive around the city with a couple of bags and that's it. Don't expect to pack everything and go for a weekender on the IS. The truck volume hits rock bottom on 10.8 cubic feet. The competitors in the compact luxury sedans deliver way more than the IS is capable of. And not just that, the subpar cabin utility also hinders your experience on a huge level. Space endured on the extensive center console could have been used for more cubby holes.

What's there to keep you entertained?

The feature list might be rich but usability is an issue with the Lexus IS. You get a 7-inch infotainment screen with Lexus's Enform infotainment system. Other features like 15- speaker Mark Levinson Premium Audi system, Remote Touch Controller, integrated navigation and the all-new Alexa integrated voice control and the Lexus Enform App suit.

The infotainment is responsive but the remote controller makes operation difficult then simplified. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are still absent of the 2019 Lexus

Interior Features

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Electrochromic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Front And Rear Door Pockets
• Electric Power Steering
• Rear View Camera
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
• Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
• Interior Air filtration front Seatback Storage
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Keyless Ignition
• Climate Control
• Turn Signal In Mirrors

When it comes to styling Lexus is all about making bold statements. Right from its colossal spindle grille which looks more like a yanking dragon, to its sharp choice of rear headlamps, Lexus always tries to make a statement with its design.

No matter how sharp the lines are its doesn't feel rebellious and conveys its luxury make. The limited styling to the side draws may feel incomplete but it sure brings your attention to its five-spoke alloy wheels. And yes, no matter if you are picky there is an array of paint options like Readline, Ultrasonic Mica, Nebula Gray and more.

The dimensions largely remain the same for the majority of cars in the segment and the Lexus is no different. You have a 184.3-inch long car, 71 inches wide and 56 inches tall, also all cars share the same weight category. However, the IS flaunts a shorter wheelbase of 110 inches. it can be a blessing but a curse too. The shorter wheelbase gives it a shorter turning radius which aids maneuverability but it also creates a mess on rough pavements, as the cabin jounces a lot till the anomaly pass.

Exterior Features

• Adaptive Front Lighting System
• Triple Beam Headlamps
• Rear Spoiler
• Alloy Wheel Locks
• Door Edge Film By 3M
• F SPORT 18" Five-Spoke Alloy Wheels
• Door Edge Guard
• Rear Bumper Applique
• Body Side Moldings

Safety is a strong point on the Lexus IS, a rich features list, strongly built quality, and positive rating makes the Lexus worth your money. The last year's version received a respectable 4 star rating by the NHTSA and the highest Good rating for the small overlap front driver side crash test rating by the IIHS. Furthermore features like adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, active lane control and more.

• Lexus enform safety connect
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Led headlamps and led daytime running lights
• Intuitive parking assist
• Brake system
• Blind spot monitor* with rear cross-traffic alert
• 10-airbag system
• Rigid body structure with crumple zones
• Smart stop* technology

Mercedes Benz C300 vs Lexus IS 350

It's been 4 years that the C class was due for an update but 2019 is the year of hope, the front and rear end were redesigned, the engine was tuned to deliver more power, and a couple of tech feature upgrades.

Compared to the Lexus the C class has more power by maintaining a competitive price. The interior quality is also fine without any hard plastics, both Merc and Lexus got the interiors right. The C class went a little further with its better rear seats. Last comes, the good old rationality of the car which is affected by the low cargo and mileage of the Lexus.

Audi A4 vs Lexus IS 350

The Audi A4 is more of a sporty ride rather than being a comfort, not the polar opposite but there is a difference. Audi markets the A4 with its superior tech-savvy features and the laser shape handling prowess. Its better at delivering ergonomic numbers and at the same time adding more cargo volume.

The good thing is that you can add more of those geeky features by going with the higher trim. One thing which Audi lacks is power, you can opt for the S4 but you need to pay more.

The 2019 Lexus IS 350 perfectly defines the compact luxury market, it's a better version of the IS 300 as it takes away the lack of power that the 300 endured. Though it's still not enough to counter the European engineering. The small body may not contemplate the sports car standards but the aggressive grill and design make up for it. However, sportiness is not its best virtue. The 350 IS can be a comfortable cruiser any day. It's quick but do not exceed the competitors in a sprint, also the small body limits the boot to swallow more luggage. Efficiency is not the best either, it even drops down a few points from the 300 IS.

Overall, the Lexus IS 350 is the type of car you wish to consider while looking at the 300 IS. You want everything the 300 IS renders without the expense of power and handling.