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Vehicle Min Max 2008 Lexus IS 250 N/A N/A 2012 Infiniti G25 N/A N/A 2012 Volvo XC70 N/A N/A 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid N/A N/A Average Not Available 
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Vehicle Min Max 2008 Lexus IS 250 N/A N/A 2012 Infiniti G25 N/A N/A 2012 Volvo XC70 N/A N/A 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid N/A N/A Average Not Available Based On: 10% down, 5% APR, 60 months
Estimated Monthly PaymentCurrently Unavailable
MPG city hwy 2008 Lexus IS 250 19 26 2012 Infiniti G25 20 29 2012 Volvo XC70 18 24 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 41 36 Average 25 29 MPG19 City | 26 Highway
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2008 Lexus IS 250 Review Summary
What reviewers liked most about the 2008 Lexus IS 250:
We enjoyed driving them, particularly the more powerful IS 350. It's fast, it sticks in corners and it stops with authority.
- New Car Test DriveThe ride is controlled but soft, and its silent cabin, devoid of any noise, harshness or vibration, is a portrait of tranquility.
- Edmunds.com...the new Lexus IS looks like the finished thought that that was the previous IS design -- elements such as the grille, tail lights and headlamps seem drawn through to completion, with sharper edges, larger badges and closed shapes.
- AutoSite.com
What reviewers liked least about the 2008 Lexus IS 250:
Also not so hot is the grunt generated from the IS 250; buyers will find themselves wishing for a little more when going fast in a straight line.
- AutoSite.comIn back, the space is barely adequate for two average-sized humans. The enter-rear position is impossible.
- Cars.com
2008 Lexus IS 250 Comparisons:
Behind the wheel, the IS 250 is all about comfort and coddling, offering the sort of gentle driving experience Lexus is known for while trailing the 3 Series in terms of athleticism.
- Edmunds.comThe new IS 250 and IS 350 are considerably larger than last year's IS 300 models and they're stuffed with creature comforts.
- New Car Test Drive
Best one-liners about the 2008 Lexus IS 250:
Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi should start worrying now...
- Motor TrendIts stance is purposeful, with hips elevated like a sprinter in the blocks, muscles tensed, ready to spring.
- New Car Test Drive...you could call the IS a GS mini-me...
- AutoSite.com
2008 Lexus IS 250 Introduction
The Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 sport sedans are quick, responsive and fun to drive. Designed to compete with BMW 3 Series sedans, the Lexus IS models are built on rear-wheel-drive chassis tuned for sporty handling. They stick in corners and stop with authority, aided by high-performance brakes and tires.
The IS 350 is propelled with authority as well, benefitting from a 306-hp V6. These are enjoyable and easy cars to drive. The IS 350's VDIM electronic stability control steps in very early to keep the driver out of trouble. The IS 250 AWD model's all-wheel drive makes it a good sports sedan for the Snow Belt. The automatic transmissions are responsive and feature paddle shifters for semi-manual control.
All of them look sporty, with bulging muscles and a purposeful stance. All come loaded with features and are trimmed well, with leather upholstery. A full complement of passive and active safety features comes standard.
New for 2007 is the X-Package, which combines a sports suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels with a bold front spoiler, sport pedals, and illuminated door scuff plates. Also, the electronic stability programs can be disabled by turning off the traction control. Lexus says this might be useful when trying to extricate the car from snow, and in other situations as well.
2008 Lexus IS 250 Walkaround
The Lexus IS sport sedans look sporty, with a purposeful stance. The nose presents the fierce glare of a car that wants to be first in line. The steeply angled hood, made of weight-saving aluminum, is framed by the determined glower of projector beam headlamps and a deep front spoiler and large intake. It's unmistakably Lexus but visually fresh.
The IS slips through the air with quiet stability. In addition to the distinct aerodynamic wedge of the overall shape, a number of small details contribute to the exceptional coefficient of drag (0.28). A front underbody structure creates downforce between the front wheels, a small air kicker integrated in the taillamps helps separate turbulence from the rear corners and reduces drag, and a small trunklid spoiler increases rear downforce.
2008 Lexus IS 250 Interior Features
Lush with creature comfort, trimmed with upscale materials, and crackling with electronic wizardry, the interior environment of the IS sport sedans is pure Lexus. But the cabin is more sports car than family sedan.
A prominent central console clearly establishes the driver and front-passenger zones. The controls wrap around the driver with every gauge and switch within easy scrutiny or close reach. The Optitron gauges are large and easy to read, and their light-saber indicator needles and dynamic redline indication are cool modern. The keyless entry and pushbutton ignition is handy.
Leather upholstery comes standard on the IS 250 and IS 350 with metallic accents appropriately placed around the cabin. The IS 250 AWD comes with perforated leather trim and beautifully crafted bird's-eye maple accents. Each piece is hewn from a single chunk of wood to ensure a perfect match from panel to panel.
The heated and ventilated front seats are a must-have. They come standard on IS 250 AWD and are available on the other models. Once you've tried these seats, there's no going back.
The climate control system features a sophisticated temperature calculation system called Neural-Net, a humidity sensor, a micro dust and pollen filler and, in IS 350, a smog sensor that detects excessive hydrocarbons and automatically reverts to a special recirculation mode until the atmosphere clears.
2008 Lexus IS 250 Driving Impressions
The Lexus IS in both rear- and all-wheel-drive forms is quick and easy to drive. It can pull serious Gs in the corners and it stops with authority. In short, these cars are serious sports sedans that rival the BMW 3 Series cars.
The IS 250 AWD is the best choice if winter weather invades your neck of the woods, when the all-wheel-drive system's increased grip is most welcome. The AWD model is heavier than the two-wheel-drive versions, but the IS 250 AWD hauled us over the San Gabriel Mountains on Angeles Crest Highway above Los Angeles without exposing any dire penalties due to its weight.
The IS 350 is the quickest model. Its muscular torque and free-revving engine delivers strong acceleration performance, something we saw driving one at Willow Springs raceway.
We drove several examples of the IS models at competition speeds relentlessly in temperatures that rose above 110 degrees and not one of them stumbled or misfired. Because of the hot, slippery track surface, the tires constantly fought for grip, but the advanced chassis electronics made it easier to keep the cars on the pavement. The inherent balance of the IS models made it easy to push it to the limit, causing the electronic aids to step in and dampen the thrill.
We prefer the automatic over the manual. The automatic is very responsive and offers the driver the ability to shift semi-manually using paddles on the steering wheels. The IS 250's manual six-speed isn't quite good enough to make us opt for it in lieu of the optional automatic. The automatic offers the driver more control over shifting when desired, but the computer steps in to protect against potentially damaging mis-selection of gears.
2008 Lexus IS 250 Final Word
The Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 are true rear-wheel-drive sports sedans. They're quick and fun to drive. The IS 250 is a very enjoyable car. The IS 350 adds abundant power to the equation. And the IS 250 AWD boasts winter weather capability. Regardless of model, this is an easy car to drive quickly as it bonds with the driver, benefits of its balanced chassis and advanced electronic stability control systems. In fact, this bond that the car establishes with the driver is a key element for a great sports sedan.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Greg N. Brown filed this report from Southern California.
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