Lexus IS saloon (2005-2013): owner reviews

"The Lexus IS has proven reliability and lots of standard equipment, but it lacks space, practicality and design flair."

Carbuyer Rating

2.6 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.3 out of 5

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Reviews

Owner Reviews

  • 5 out of 5
  • 4 out of 5
  • 3 out of 5
  • 2 out of 5
  • 1 out of 5
thumbs up54%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

  • Brakes, Engine (2 cases)
  • Brakes, Engine, Gearbox / clutch (1 case)
  • Engine (7 cases)
  • Electrics (6 cases)
  • Other (6 cases)
  • Brakes, Electrics, Engine, Other (2 cases)
  • Suspension (2 cases)
  • Electrics, Engine (2 cases)
  • Brakes (1 case)
  • Gearbox / clutch (1 case)

Review 1 of 100

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.5 Sport

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

26
Tell us what you think about your car?
Comfy and reliable car, but I'm now having issues with a misfire at low revs and the rear calipers sticking. The misfire is not a huge issue but no one can explain what the problem is (i suspect a gummed up inlet valve as it is a direct injection engine). The rear brake calipers are a known issue with this vehicle.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE Mutlimedia, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Very happy with the car , the brand & the dealer, no drama's. Finish to the wheels could have been better, gearbox could be improved (and has been in the new is).
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

F, Above 3.0-litre, Petrol, Paddleshift gears

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Beast! Practical family saloon with killer performance and lots of kit as standard
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Dreadful reliability - my previous two lexus models were utterly reliable, this one has been a complete lemon and has really soured my impressions of the lexus brand. I see now that lexus no longer make the 2.2 diesel and i'm not surprised, it's been a real pig in a poke, with poor fuel economy and lacklustre performance.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-L, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
This is avery confortable car which is a joy to drive and has a local fuel consumption of 28 to 30 mpg and on long distance driving of 36 to 38 mpg which is brilliant on a 2.5 v6 engine with a automatic/manual gearbox
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Reliable, great to drive
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Big disappointment. You would think the lexus brand would give you peace of mind. With 3 trips back to the garage on an aa truck in a little over a year damages your view of the company. Fuel pump issues and an engine rebuild is very poor.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-L, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Recurring problem with the climate control leading to inability to clear the windscreen in cold weather (the system completely shuts down). Problem found on first google search yet dealer denied it was a known problem. Now dealership in sussex has closed and nearest local dealer is over an hour away! . I will never buy another lexus! Just an overhyped toyota at a luxury car price. Bought after owning two bmws. I'm definitely going to look at bmw for my next car!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent all round car but very disappointed in performance on snow,even though it has snow assist.had to be towed through minimal snow fall to get home.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Paddleshift gears

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent, reliable, safe car that gets me from a to b.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2003

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Supremely reliable.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-I, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Comfortable,pleasant to be in,not as economical as expected if you believe the brochure. Very tall gearing making sixth gear unusable below seventy miles per hour. Would have preffered an automatic diesel but only available on petrol models. All that being considered, it is still a very rewarding car to own and drive.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SEL, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Paddleshift gears

Year

2004

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
My is300 has lived up to every printed praise, and has satisfied me in all areas under question on this survey. Overall, you cant buy better piece of mind for value, looks, performance and reliability. If i ever do change, the next car will have a lot to live up to my lexus is300.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SEL, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great car with lots of gadgets.Only Gripe is small boot and no folding rear seat. Now due for a face lift.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
I love my car, but have found the lexus dealership does not live up to hype. Had my car in 3 times to fix a fault in 2nd gear but each time couldn't find the fault. eventually i took it to a local garage who rectified the problem
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great car far better than any german make for price and extras
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

sportscross, Above 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Best car i have ever owned. If it was still in production i would buy another. If lexus made another hatch back of similar quality i would buy one.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

se, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
The car is as i expected it to be
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

se, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Car had a cat.problem which was a model fault. Even though did not buy from lexus,car was repired by them at no cost. Other problem was injector hold-down bridge-pieces working loose And one that loose,was blowing by.--not very impressed!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-L auto, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Does what it says on the tin. That is 'a luxury performance saloon'. The car also has exclusivity, as opposed to many german 'executive brands' which are increasingly the preserve of non owning employees or tax dodging employers. The popularity of these brands reflect the lamentable herd mentality being encouraged by so called motoring journalists and cretinous tv presenters. Good !Carry On else increased sales will allow lexus to up the price!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

220d

Year

9

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
Honestly don't. Typical diesel problems EGR/DPF. The head gasket has failed on every one I've come across, and Lexus can not fault find. You can't serviceit anywhere else but Lexus as the fuel filter needs a special key to open. There are electrical problems galore. My heated seats aren't going work, there are air conditioning fault codes. It's currently parked up with an engine oil sensor broken and a air sensor fault causing limp-home mode. This comes after the brake caliper seizing 3 weeks ago. I have had this particular car just over 2 years. I was lucky to have the head gasket fault fixed by AA parts and labour cover. Good looking car absolute headache to keep. The petrol models are a better option but suffer from extremely expensive road tax.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-L, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Overall, quite good, but the final drive is too high. I would guess this is due to producing a good fuel consumption figure----so far as i am concerned this is misguided.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-L Multimedia, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Extreme comfort and reliability. Very quiet and enjoyable to drive.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Se, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2002

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

is 300, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2002

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
I think the lexus is 300 is an excellent car in build quality,styling,confort ,performance the only down side is petrol consumtion been getting 25mpg but i suppose it is a 3lt compaired to my old honda civic which was a 1.6lt.great alround car and i am glad i bought this car.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2004

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
A total pleasure to drive, comfortable, high level of equipment and very reliable (only battery faults during ownership). And when the mood suits - and limits permit of course - it can turn into quite a beast. Joy.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Needs bigger boot or an estate option A four wheel drive option would be good as it is hopeless in snow or ice
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

se, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2005

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
The above ' defect ' was failure of the original battery - replaced within minutes. Although replaced with a newer model i am still in love with my car. I had always apired to own a bmw but having driven them within a work environment found that the lexus was far better roadholding and general equipment levels and reliability.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Just love it!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

220D, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

se, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

sel, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2003

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Perfect small executive car
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Non-flamboyant well built and reliable
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

s, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent car would recommend it to anyone
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2000

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Top car, still looks great after 10 years. Petrol consumption could be better although it was not such an issue when i bought the car.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Nice cer, diesel too noisy
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

IS 220D SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Comfortable well built car with a good level of safety built in.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Absolutley faultless for the last 9 years
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Sport, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
The car is excellent in all areas apart from the poor rear seat leg room
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Base, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Very good car. Let down by horrendous gearbox and apathetic aftersales.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Sport cross, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2002

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
A very reliable, comfortable good looking car
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Superb in virtually every respect. I simply cannot understand why you and other motor industry writers persist in raving about audi, bmw, mercedes etc., especially when you factor in lexus' first class customer service. Take a look at your previous driver power results for the proof! No other brand comes close.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Sei, , Diesel, Manual

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
The car is good in summer , but in winter on the snow and ice it is more than useless. Overall i have enjoyed it . Only have another lexus being the rx450 hybrid.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

250 SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Just what you expect from a lexus bulletproof reliability great dealers but not cheap and not too involving a drive
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

IS, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2003

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Brillient
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
0

Car Details

Model

SE, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-L, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2000

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
I had a lexus before model is just what i want would buy lexus again . Only complaint bit heavy on petrol. Has a feeling of luxury to it
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Handling in snow is very poor so requires winter tyres
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

isf, Above 3.0-litre, Petrol, Paddleshift gears

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Fantastic, stealthy, rare
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

IE-S, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE-L, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Ok. But the neither the car, the dealer or the ownership experience has lived up to "lexus hype" or expectation
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Sportcross, Above 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent car. Very reliable, great performance and reasonable servicing costs.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
The lexus is is a great car. It looks fantastic and the drive is extremely comfortable. If there is something that i would say is not the best is the road noise on the motorway which i would have expected to be lower from a car of this quality.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2004

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Worn waterpump was the only problem in three years
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

SE, 2.0litre to 3.0litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2003

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

220d

Year

2007

Avg annual mi