Driving the 2017 Lexus IS 300 AWD

[krew]

krew

Some thoughts on the updated 2017 sports sedan.

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[corradoMR2]

Krew, same reaction first time I saw the refresh, but with the soul-less experience with the late A4, I dove right back into a new IS which grew on me, and of course F Sport it had to be.

One detail that has been updated that I have yet to see a journalist pick up on is the slightly more upright start button housing. It's an easier reach vs the '14-'16.

 

[Mr. Burns]

krew

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I attempted to fix the styling:

It really isn't that difficult, the trouble is Japanese in-house designers are idiots who don't know what they're doing.

 

[Andyl]

Being a 14' regular IS350 owner, I would like to chime in. Recently I had the chance to drive a loaner 17' regular IS300 AWD because of some warranty work. I couldn't tell the difference between my own IS350 and the IS300 without pushing it. The interior changes are certainly welcome. It is definitely better than IS250 AWD in terms of power and torque. The new facia looks more cohesive. But as my IS350 has the twin LED headlights with fog light (which I replaced with an aftermarket LED fog), the standard LED headlights that come with the facelifted model are actually a downgrade to me since Lexus doesn't offer the 3-eyed premium headlights in North America.

Also one thing I notice is the driver's side mirror housing seems be longer/wider than before as I tried it in my own garage. Lexus also has removed an amenity in the trunk of the facelifted model which I think not many people use --- the tie-down straps for long objects.

 

[corradoMR2]

Being a 14' regular IS350 owner, I would like to chime in. Recently I had the chance to drive a loaner 17' regular IS300 AWD because of some warranty work. I couldn't tell the difference between my own IS350 and the IS300 without pushing it. The interior changes are certainly welcome. It is definitely better than IS250 AWD in terms of power and torque. The new facia looks more cohesive. But as my IS350 has the twin LED headlights with fog light (which I replaced with an aftermarket LED fog), the standard LED headlights that come with the facelifted model are actually a downgrade to me since Lexus doesn't offer the 3-eyed premium headlights in North America.

Also one thing I notice is the driver's side mirror housing seems be longer/wider than before as I tried it in my own garage. Lexus also has removed an amenity in the trunk of the facelifted model which I think not many people use --- the tie-down straps for long objects.

Hey AndyL, for power of the 300, I agree it is close to the 350. In fact, at CL, a vendor who is selling a tune for the 300 to bring it to the 350's power dynoed it stock and found it to be just 28 hp less than the 350's 306 hp rating. I actually do believe a 275-280 hp rating since the 300 is just 0.4 sec slower to 60 mph than a 350 AWD. I think Lexus has underrated the 300's 255 hp rating to justify the 350's price premium.

Interesting about the mirrors... I'll have to check it out!

 

[Andyl]

Hey AndyL, for power of the 300, I agree it is close to the 350. In fact, at CL, a vendor who is selling a tune for the 300 to bring it to the 350's power dynoed it stock and found it to be just 28 hp less than the 350's 306 hp rating. I actually do believe a 275-280 hp rating since the 300 is just 0.4 sec slower to 60 mph than a 350 AWD. I think Lexus has underrated the 300's 255 hp rating to justify the 350's price premium.

Interesting about the mirrors... I'll have to check it out!

Yes, I usually back in my car into the garage and am really close to the wall (padded!) on the driver's side and open the door a bit to gauge how far the car is from the wall. With repeated attempt, I get the impression it is the mirror housing that is different. When I visit a Lexus dealership next time, I will use a ruler to measure it..

IS300 and IS350 -- really can't tell the difference in normal driving. The fuel consumption is the same. The engine compartment looks same. Lexus is too naive to trick informed customers.. LOL.