Lexus IS 250 Review: Pricing, Specs & More

Lexus IS 250 Review: Pricing, Specs & More

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If you're in the market for a compact luxury sedan that’s on par with the reliability of a Toyota but with legendary Lexus style, the IS 250 is an excellent choice.

With its taut proportions, excellent powertrains, and high levels of technology, the Lexus IS 250 provides you with style, performance, and comfort. The third-generation Lexus IS 250 went into production for the 2014 model year, so there are plenty to choose from on the pre-owned market that can save you thousands.

Let's look at what makes the IS 250 a great compact sports sedan.

Lexus IS 250 price and trim levels

For the 2015 model year, the Lexus IS 250 started at $37,475 MSRP. Many upgrades were available for increased road performance, style, and luxury. These options included:

  • All-wheel drive — $2,535 MSRP
  • Navigation with Mark Levinson audio — $2,995 MSRP
  • 18-inch alloy wheels — $500 MSRP
  • Luxury and tech package — $3,985 MSRP
  • F-Sport package — $5,690 MSRP

With new cars depreciating around 20% during the first year of ownership and about 10% every year after that, you stand to score an excellent deal on a used Lexus IS 250 compared to buying a new one.

And when you search for a pre-owned Lexus IS 250, there's no need to drive to dealerships around town looking at cars. You can buy any of Shift's used cars directly online from the comfort of your home, know it has no hidden issues (from our 150-point inspection) and get a fair, up-front price. Shift's website has a large selection of fully inspected cars located across the country that are ready to go. The website is user-friendly, and you'll be able to find various makes and models to suit your needs and budget.

Need to finance? We have that covered too. Shift works with a network of trusted lenders who compete for your business, so you get the best deal on financing. Applying for financing with Shift is quick and easy, with no cost or obligation. Many applicants receive an offer within minutes instead of days. Financing with Shift is so convenient that 90% of customers choose us when they need a loan. If you have low credit, don't worry because we welcome co-signers.

Lexus IS 250 horsepower and performance

The Lexus IS 250 features a quiet, refined 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, it provides quick acceleration, smooth highway cruising, and good fuel economy.

When you want to take a sporty drive around twisting roads, standard paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel let you play the role of race car driver as you change gears in between corners.

The Lexus IS 250 also has a drive mode selector, allowing you to switch between normal, sport, and eco modes depending on driving conditions. Each mode modifies settings for throttle response and transmission programming to boost performance or economy.

The tuned suspension has an ideal balance of control and ride quality, so you can peel through the twisties and then drive in comfort on your way home.

And wherever you drive a Lexus IS 250, you know you and your passengers are safe and protected because it received a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Lexus IS 250 fuel economy

Besides offering plenty of power for spirited driving, the 2.5-liter V6 in the Lexus IS 250 also achieves good fuel efficiency. The rear-wheel-drive IS 250 obtains an EPA-rated 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. When you opt for AWD, those figures decrease slightly to 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

Whichever trim you choose, you'll have an efficient vehicle with plenty of range for longer trips.

2014 Lexus IS 250 (from $22,950)

2014 Lexus IS 250 (from $22,950)
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2014 Lexus IS 250 (from $22,950)
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Lexus IS interior

The Lexus IS 250 sports an elegant, luxurious interior that makes any trip pleasant no matter how long or short. With standard features like a sunroof and dual-zone automatic climate control, you don't have to spend thousands more on options to experience high-end luxury. High-quality materials are found everywhere, with leather seating and plenty of wood and metal trim pieces providing a nice contrast. Well-bolstered front seats offer support and comfort, perfect for making a cross-country trek or just taking an afternoon joyride. 

The IS 250 comes with an excellent Enform Apps and Navigation system that connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone. It can stream music from iHeart Radio and Pandora, make reservations with movietickets.com or OpenTable, and perform internet searches.

You can also interact with the infotainment system via Lexus' Remote Touch controller, conveniently located behind the gear shift and lets you concentrate on the road while making adjustments.

A premium Mark Levinson audio system provides concert-quality sound for those who love their music on trips of any length. You can play music on the IS 250 using several sources, like a USB connection, Bluetooth, or built-in satellite and HD radio.

2015 Lexus IS 250 (from $22,950)

2015 Lexus IS 250 (from $22,950)
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30-Day warranty
Free 7-day return
Free 7-day trial return
30-days warranty
No-Contact Test Drives
No-Contact Test Drives
Shop Used Lexus IS 250
2015 Lexus IS 250 (from $22,950)
30-Day warranty
Free 7-day return
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Lexus IS 250 reliability

According to J.D. Power, which bases its scores on hundreds of thousands of independent reviews from real owners, the Lexus IS 250 achieved a "great" quality and reliability rating of 84 on a scale of 100. J.D. Power quality and reliability scores consider the entire vehicle and any problems reported by real owners concerning mechanical defects or design issues.

2012 Lexus IS 250 (from $13,950)

2012 Lexus IS 250 (from $13,950)
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30-Day warranty
Free 7-day returns
Free 7-day trial return
30-days warranty
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No-Contact Test Drives
Shop Used Lexus IS 250
2012 Lexus IS 250 (from $13,950)
30-Day warranty
Free 7-day return
Free 7-day trial return
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No-Contact Test Drives
Shop Used Lexus IS 250
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Lexus IS 250 review in summary

The Lexus IS 250 is an entry-level luxury car that provides excellent performance and top-rated features. Whether cruising the open road or making a quick grocery run, the Lexus IS 250 provides plenty of style with its handsome exterior.

The 2.5-liter V6 engine in the IS 250 has the horsepower, torque, and fuel economy for spirited drives and extended trips alike, and its good gas mileage saves you money at the pump. The luxurious interior on an IS 250 features top-rate materials, excellent build quality, and comfortable seating that makes every drive pleasant. And when you purchase a pre-owned Lexus IS 250, you can rest assured you're buying a reputable vehicle with a great score from J.D. Power.

If you’re in the market for a sports sedan like a Lexus IS 250, you’ll probably want to sell your old car. But that can be a time-consuming hassle, and how can you know if you receive fair value? But when selling your vehicle to Shift, there's no need to worry about any of that. All you'll have to do is enter the make, model, year, and mileage on Shift's easy-to-use website, and you'll instantly receive a purchase offer that's valid for seven days.

You can get a fair offer, better than at the dealership, driven by powerful machine learning algorithms and tons of data. And with Shift, there’s no need to spend the extra time waxing and washing the car. A little dirt won’t affect the quote as we fully detail the cars ourselves before listing them for sale. With Shift’s fair, no-haggle pricing, you won’t have to spend your entire savings account just to get behind the wheel of a new-to-you vehicle. Whether you want a BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, or Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Shift has what you need.

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Author
Shift Editorial Team