Lexus IS F Road Test Report
Performance 
With a smooth, 5-litre, 32-valve V8 knocking out some 417bhp and 372lb/ft of torque, and an excellent 8-speed paddle-shift auto transmission, the IS-F can charge to 62mph in just 4.8 secs and hit 168mph, or in my case a little more, at least according to the speedo. Early one morning on an empty, unrestricted autobahn near Berlin I nailed the throttle. The engine and exhausts growled aggressively and the needle climbed remorselessly: 200, 220, 240… In much less time and distance than expected I nudged the electronic speed limiter at an indicated 280km/h (174mph). Fortunately, huge Brembo brakes hauled it back down to a sane speed in no time.
Ride & Handling
It’s essential that any car this fast should handle superbly, and the rear-wheel drive IS-F most certainly does. With a lower ride height, low-profile tyres (on BBS wheels), beefed-up suspension and a host of fancy electronics (including a limited-slip diff), the IS-F’s ride is always taut but not uncomfortable. But the faster you go, the better everything gets, steering included. I drove one from Brussels to Berlin via several fast laps of the old, 12.9 mile Nürburgring race circuit – the ultimate test of handling – so can say with more than the usual authority that the IS-F is an exceptionally well sorted car.
Build Quality & Reliability
There’s no escaping the fact that the IS-F has a lot of engine, electronics and all manner of other technology that could go wrong, but the few days I spent driving across Europe in one invoked nothing but confidence in its build and reliability. Moreover, considering the various ownership surveys conducted in recent years, Lexus has earned a reputation for build, reliability and customer service that’s second to none.
Safety & Security
Its 5-star EuroNCAP occupant rating doesn’t quite convey the full picture, so here’s a list (all standard equipment): driver and front passenger two-stage airbags, side airbags and knee airbags, front and rear curtain shield airbags. Passenger airbag cut-off switch. ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist. Vehicle stability control, traction control, Sport Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, adaptive cruise control with pre-crash safety system. Tyre pressure warning system, whiplash injury lessening front seats, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters, outer rear seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters, seat-integrated front seatbelt anchorage and support, seatbelt warning system, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear view and door mirrors, adaptive front-lighting system and Isofix child seat mounts (x2, rear). Smart entry and keyless start system, anti-theft system with intruder sensor, alarm, immobiliser and speed-sensitive auto door locking. Will that do?
Space & Practicality 
For a fully-fledged sports car the IS-F is very spacious and practical, but if you’re looking at it more as a high performance family saloon then it’s not quite so impressive. The 378-litre boot isn’t huge, and it’s only a 4-seater as the space for what would ordinarily be the centre rear seat is taken up by a fancy rear armrest. I wouldn’t quite describe the rear passenger area as cramped, but it’s not exactly spacious either, and rear seat passengers could feel a bit hemmed in after a while.
Ownership & Value 
Unlike its German counterparts which generally have options lists as long as autobahns, the only option on the IS-F’s list is an £800 tilt/slide sunshine roof. This means that satnav, a 14-speaker Mark Levinson 5.1 surround sound system with 6-DVD autochanger, a parking assist monitor and much more besides are all inclusive. So, unless you want that sunshine roof, the retail price (£51,155 at the time of writing) is the most you’ll pay. Cars of this calibre are never cheap to run – the IS-F’s combined mpg figure is 24.8, and at high speed you can almost see the fuel gauge dropping (a situation not helped by a marginally-sized 64-litre tank), but the IS-F is civilised, beautifully made, brutally quick and terrific to drive.