The driver faces a small-diameter three-spoke steering wheel with plenty of multi-function buttons. Something Lexus would like to highlight
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| Something Lexus would like to highlight are the new Optitron gauges. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
are the new Optitron gauges that replace the beautiful but difficult to read chronograph-style instruments in the old model. The pitch black backdrop is awakened by white needles, which illuminate upon prodding the engine-start button, sweeping with the intensity (but without the sound) of a Star Wars light saber. Soft white lighting enhances the interior's ambience, while alloy kick plates that feature the Lexus logo illuminated in blue are downright cool.
Think Lexus, and think of luxury - and fortunately if you're into toys and gizmos, the IS has all the bases covered there too. While the Mark Levinson 14-speaker DVD system is limited to the IS 350, the 250 gets a great sounding 6-disc CD-MP3 Pioneer system that includes an auxiliary plug for accessories like MP3 players or compact discs. On the IS 250 AWD, navigation can be specified, which pairs a 32,000 color touchscreen LCD display
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| The new IS comes with an amazing assortment of useful features, including this iPod connector. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
with Lexus' latest and most powerful navigation system, as well as a reverse camera to improve rearward visibility while backing up. Unfortunately, my ideal combo - manual, RWD and navigation, can't be had.
Call them the little, unnecessary touches, but they're what separate the IS from the rest of the crowd. If your wallet has the ability to accommodate a few options, the spread of items to pick and choose from is bountiful: optional leather trimmed seats with heat and ventilation functions, xenon lights that 'see' around corners, a power-sliding sunroof with seven-notch VW/Audi-style rotary knob, alloy pedals, parking sensors, radar-adaptive cruise control, a retractable rear sunscreen. It appears that Lexus upped the benchmark for this class - something that I'm glad finally happened, as not everyone needs a sumo-sized luxury liner.
