Last month I had the opportunity to drive a 2010 Lexus IS F for a week, and since this is one of the hottest four doors on the market it's a worthy addition to Haulers and Sedans month.
Previously I'd spent some time in an F-Sport-equipped IS350, and while that was an entertaining ride, it's really just an appetizer to the V8-powered IS F.
After hopping into the IS F for the first time, everything inside seemed pretty similar to other IS models – typical Lexus fit and finish, high quality materials and all that. But once I got onto the road and rolled into the throttle a bit things changed…
The 5.0 liter V8 in this car is a screamer, and with 416 horses to play with, it's a quick car. Enough to embarrass my Mustang GT for sure. It's not just the power though, the quick revving nature of the engine makes it feel like an exotic machine.
After experiencing the Yamaha-tuned V8 in this car, it's not all surprising that Lotus is planning to use this engine as the basis for its new models. It definitely has the credentials.
Most people find the IS F's 8-speed auto trans to be it's biggest drawback. Not the transmission itself, but the lack of a proper manual gearbox on the option box.
While I agree that an old fashioned clutch and gearshift would be a blast in this car, I found the auto to be perfectly adequate.
The shifts were fast, and the car felt much more alive than V6/Auto combination I experienced in the IS350.
Another thing that added to the "alive" feeling of the IS F was the glorious exhaust note of the V8. The sounds enter the air through those unique stacked exhaust tips. When the IS F first came out, we weren't sure what to think about those tips, but now there's car builders in Japan adding IS F style pipes to their VIP builds. Interesting.
The 19 inch wheels look great, and you can catch a glimpse of the massive front rotors behind the spokes.
While the IS F is a serious performance machine, its far from a stripped out track day special. I made several trips and between my house and Irwindale Speedway in the car, and it was a totally comfortable place to be. The seats are comfy, the ride quality is decent, and all the luxo features of the standard IS are carried over.
The car I sampled came in the IS F's signature Ultrasonic Blue Mica – which looked gorgeous under the setting sun at Irwindale Speedway.
The IS F starts out at 59,000 USD and while that's not cheap by any means, you do get a lot of the car for the money. You get the performance, the luxury items, the fit and finish, and if past Lexus models are anything to go by, owning one should be a trouble free experience for years to come. It's a well-balanced car and obviously a lot of passion put into it.
Seeing as this is only the first iteration of the IS F, I think we have a lot to look forward to as Lexus continues to establish itself as a serious performance car maker.
The IS F is a fantastic all around car, and I'm already giddy thinking of what gearheads at Lexus might have in store for the next generation of this car.
-Mike Garrett
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Not cheap by any means?? If you want to buy an IS-F in the Netherlands it'll cost you 136,000 USD lol. I like this car a lot though and like you said, looking forward to the other Lexus 'F' cars.
Toyota con su marca de lujo Lexus a dejado claro una vez mas que el lujo y la deportividad no es una dificultad para los ingenieros de Lexus con la introduccion al mercado de la nueva gama IS en todas sus verciones y no podemos dejar de mencionar el totalmente deportivo Lexus LFA un coche capaz de superar a los alemanes ferrari 599 y audi R10 a los italianos porche 997 o 911 GT3 RS esperamos que Toyota continue desarrollando joyas asi
Wonderful write up. Anyone else chuckle at the picture of it parked next to that SRT-4?
the sunken-in front end and the fake tailpipes ruin what could've been a good looking car
59000$ ain't cheap? is-f, germany -> 94000$
but i drove the car too. if you leave it in d and limit it to shift to 6th gear its fine. in sport and m its just a blast.
Nice pics!
Forgot to say it, thanks for a great write up...Always wondered how these things are drive-wise...
@ classiczMS i had a chuckle knowing that srt could beat this fat hideous car. I would rather have that srt then this. Why would you need an 8 speed? Its not needed. All this is , is an over powerd pos.
59000USD?? It's so cheap, 160000USD in Finland =D
Lexus let me take this out on the Fontana track, OMG great grocery getter, but massive understeer in the stock setup. Maybe going to a square tire setup would help. Great seats, and honestly the best v8 sound out there period.
The automatic has a locking torque converter so it is actualyl pretty decent, not as good as an SMG or DSG but better then any other auto I've ever driven.
Ahahahaha, NO, not enough to embarrass any mustang gt. The current mustang gt only has 4 less horses and weighs 150 lbs less, and also has a live rear axle, which I am not a fan of, but is indeed better for laying down power in a straight line.
Love that IS-F.
Probably the only other car I'd want right now if I ever got out of one of my SVT Stangs.
110,000 $ in Hungary, plus 1600 $ if you want a sunroof too
USA is cheap...
sorry but this car is not worth the price of almost 2 is350's - for that all you get is a hideous body and more hp.
For about 3K you can buy long tube headers intake and exhaust plus tuning and make near the same peak hp from the v6 and spend the other 25K on hookers
People always complain about how this car would be much better with a manual transmission but this car is built for performance. An automatic gearbox can change a gear much faster than a human can. Only reason I see that people want a manual gearbox is to get this car sideways, which isn't a bad thing but this car is so much more than just another drift machine.
Great writeup as always!
SRT-4 = food
love these ISF for real.
the exhaust tips are fakes (not connected to the silencers)
Agree with the tailpipe statement parriera...the only OTHER thing I don't like along with the trans options...or lack of that...
Where can i find one of those cars here in venezuela?.. I mean, When can i find.. lol! Too hard and i didn't see an IS-F here.. NEVER!
AUTOMATIC.
LOL
Lucky me I'm a test driver for Toyota and got to drive this during the press launch in Caramel Valley, CA. There are better cars out there but for the price and options offered, it's a very solid performer. More than anyone needs in a street car it how I would sum it up.
@b16a5fw
Seriously? When the track day is over and we all go home, you're still driving a Neon.
Still not a fan of the styling. I like the standard IS' styling, but this just looks bloated, not aggressive. Those fake tailpipes are...well, fake. It also would've been nice to see them fit a DCT or SMG gearbox, even if a 6-speed manual isn't offered. The 8-speed auto might be nice in a flagship Autobahn blaster, but for a performance sports sedan...get it out of there.
Personally, I'd still take an M3 over the IS-F, but I still applaud Toyota/Lexus for a great first effort.
An IS-F in Barbados will run you up $118,000 + taxes. So don't expect to see any soon.
with 59000USD we can only get a normal IS250 in Malaysia
IS F? 250000USD thanks.
AUTOMATIC..LMFAO!! Wats with the future and loosing the manual trans its only helping us Americans stay fat while we watch the History channel on how manual cars used to be so much fun with clutch kick and heeltoe and reving up 4 the ladies...but if toyota wants to impress then bring back the Supra with a MANUAL TRANS like real sports cars
He didnt say ANY mustang gt. he said "MY" Mustang Gt... this is why i hate mustang fans they always talk about everone elses mustang except for their own Is-f is way more classy than that ford pos anyways obviously the poster has driven it and said he thought it was quicker than HIS gt.
like knx said,
i work at the dutch importer for toyota/lexus and we have an is-f standing here. the tips are fake, just like in many exotic cars these days.
Its a nice car, and for US60k its worth it. The same care here is close to AUD150k whereas in the States its the equivalent of US140k.
@KBanksAZ And when the track day is over yes i am still driving a neon , but how did it feel getting spanked by one?
Haters will always hate. But for the love of god do not compair this to the piece of crap mustang gt. These cars are overrated dinosaurs. I have had a chance to drive this monster. It has everything you need for a fast luxory daily drive and more. Only stupid thing is that its a sedan. Not much room in the back. I can almost see why americans do not like this very much cause 80% cant fit in. People who talk about SRT and such are ignorant. These cars are only good for straight line and well... Straight line is for those who cant do it on the track.
Peace!
unique
Haters will always hate. But for the love of god do not compair this to the piece of crap mustang gt. These cars are overrated dinosaurs. I have had a chance to drive this monster. It has everything you need for a fast luxory daily drive and more. Only stupid thing is that its a sedan. Not much room in the back. I can almost see why americans do not like this very much cause 80% cant fit in. People who talk about SRT and such are ignorant. These cars are only good for straight line and well... Straight line is for those who cant do it on the track.
Peace!
unique
in Poland also over $100k... but damn I love this look,it's so simple,and so aggressive in the same time.
Especially those blue adds in the interior and the blue paint.
I'm blue dabu di ba du diee....
I don't really like the ISF that much. I like Lexus as a brand but the ISF just sesms to bulky and soft for me. It looks fat and apparently drives like it too. Also those exhause tips... Aren't half of them fake?
I like the car.
But Lexus cannot be a 'serious performance car maker' with an 8 speed automatic. Automatics are indecisive enough, and are for women and the elderly. the only exception are redic. fast auto. drag boxes.
The difference is that I was stating facts whereas you're day dreaming about kicking an IS-F's ass in a neon. A good set of Toyo R888's plus a home brew alignment, and the IS-F will walk about any street driven Neon in the country. Don't take this as a FWD RWD thing. It's more or less a statement based off of averages. The average IS-F will sodomize the average SRT-4. There are of course exceptions.
@b16
You're butt hurt over the fact I found the picture of two completely different caliber cars parked next to each other entertaining. One being very well made car, and another, well... a Neon with some trim. Also, when did I say anything about an 8-Speed? Wonderful job at making an assumptions. As for "overpowered POS"? Toyota makes some of the highest quality cars out there, I wouldn't call it a pos, especially for what it is. You say overpowered like what... Every other car enthusiast/tuning shop isn't pumping out higher and higher power cars? QQ more, kiddo.
@Kbanks,
Amen.