GRAVENHURST, Ontario - Seven kilometres long, the Muskoka Beach Road snakes through the rocky outcroppings and dense woods that line the Muskoka Lake shoreline. Narrow, tightly winding and slick with the cold fall rain, the route nicely caps off a day spent test driving the new Lexus IS 350 AWD.
Until now, Lexus aficionados looking to add the security of all wheel drive to their favourite luxury sedan were offered only one choice; the less potent IS 250. With the introduction of the IS 350 AWD, Canadian drivers don't have to give up their extra horsepower – or look elsewhere – for foul-weather sure-footedness.
Outwardly, the model refresh is subtle, yet significant. It's a more aggressive look, with dramatic shoulder lines, and a sharply chiselled front end with reworked grille and integrated chin spoiler with upright foglamps. Head and tail lamps are revised, with the added drama of distinctive LED "arrowhead" running lights similar to Audi's.
Inside, our tester's cabin is refined, if a bit dark. Black leather seats are supple and supportive – although the long-legged might find the rear seating rather cramped.
Soft-touch materials are top-notch quality, and add to the sense of acoustic hush. There are subtle metallic accents on gauge bezels and steering wheel and genuine wood trim on the centre console that would be lovely if it weren't so glossy.
The centre stack is well-designed with straightforward instrumentation - but the backup camera hasn't the same clarity of some other high end marques. At 13 cubic feet, the available trunk space is average for its segment. Standard gadgetry includes the Safety Connect telematics system, 13-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, satellite radio, an auxiliary jack and iPod/USB connectivity. There's an optional Navigation system with voice command and rear-view camera and an additional 14-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system.
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| Lexus hopes to sell some 2400 IS 350 AWD models in 2011. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
Until now, Lexus aficionados looking to add the security of all wheel drive to their favourite luxury sedan were offered only one choice; the less potent IS 250. With the introduction of the IS 350 AWD, Canadian drivers don't have to give up their extra horsepower – or look elsewhere – for foul-weather sure-footedness.
Outwardly, the model refresh is subtle, yet significant. It's a more aggressive look, with dramatic shoulder lines, and a sharply chiselled front end with reworked grille and integrated chin spoiler with upright foglamps. Head and tail lamps are revised, with the added drama of distinctive LED "arrowhead" running lights similar to Audi's.
Inside, our tester's cabin is refined, if a bit dark. Black leather seats are supple and supportive – although the long-legged might find the rear seating rather cramped.
Soft-touch materials are top-notch quality, and add to the sense of acoustic hush. There are subtle metallic accents on gauge bezels and steering wheel and genuine wood trim on the centre console that would be lovely if it weren't so glossy.
The centre stack is well-designed with straightforward instrumentation - but the backup camera hasn't the same clarity of some other high end marques. At 13 cubic feet, the available trunk space is average for its segment. Standard gadgetry includes the Safety Connect telematics system, 13-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, satellite radio, an auxiliary jack and iPod/USB connectivity. There's an optional Navigation system with voice command and rear-view camera and an additional 14-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system.
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| The centre stack is well-designed with straightforward instrumentation. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |