During a recent visit to Washington DC, I had the chance to take the ultra sporty and sleek Lexus IS 250 throughout the roads of the DMV. As a Toyota Brand Ambassador for a recent blogging conference, I got the chance to fully immerse myself in the Lexus automotive experience. The moment I sat inside the Lexus IS 250, I experienced why Lexus owners keep coming back to the luxe brand. With an intuitive infotainment system, svelte design and premium interior feel – the 2015 Lexus IS 250 is a smooth ride – but does it meet and exceed the standards of it’s predecessors and competitors? Find out below!
Off the bat, you may wonder what sets the 2015 Lexus IS 250 apart from the previous model. There are a few upgrades in the latest model, which includes a limited-edition trim level called Crafted Line with specialized paint and interior touches, a heated steering wheel (available on all AWD models) and compatibility with the Enform Remote app that offers remote start, location finder and vehicle status check.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, LED running lights/foglights/taillights, heated exterior mirrors, a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, eight-way power front seats with driver power lumbar and more.
There’s an 8-inch color display with a console-mounted control dial, voice-command functionality and an eight-speaker audio system with Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a CD player, HD radio, iTunes tagging, satellite radio and dual iPod/USB inputs. The IS 250 also comes with Siri Eyes Free mode (compatible with select iPhones). You can access iTunes, hear and compose text messages and e-mails, arrange your calendar and more, all facilitated by Apple’s assistant – Siri.
The moment you sit in the driver’s seat, you’re met with a distinct feeling of control and power. While driving throughout neighborhoods and expressways, I couldn’t help but feel like I was a pilot inside the cockpit of the most impressive ride on the road. From the luxe leather seating and premium accents to the comfort and abundance of legroom – the Lexus IS 250, really had it all.
The Luxury package includes the Premium package and the rearview camera, and adds auto-dimming exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery with contrast stitching, wood trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel (with heating on AWD models), driver memory functions, a rearview camera, a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert and a power rear sunshade.
It was an incredible feeling to sit behind the wheel of a sleek ride that didn’t mishandle or overpower the drive. Even on winding roads and sharp turns the Lexus IS 250 was precise, intuitive and griped the roads with command and grace.
Overall, the chic and sporty Lexus IS 250 is a welcomed alternative to the BMW or Audi competitors and if you’re a fan of luxury and fun without the stuffy automotive fluff – the 2015 Lexus IS 250 is a great ride that will suit all your needs and more! For more on the Lexus IS 250 get social on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit Lexus online at Lexus.com.
