2007 Lexus IS Reviews, Pricing & Specs

2007 Lexus IS 250, more detailed HD pics coming soon!
This car was recently appraised by Carmax! thumbnail

Written by Clifford Atiyeh

Published May 25, 2021

$30,970 to $36,420

7.3/10

CarGurus expert score

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The CarGurus verdict

A baby Lexus big on premium comfort.

New for 2006, the Lexus IS carries into 2007 as a fresh compact sedan with loads of standard amenities and a sport-tuned chassis that can keep up with BMWs. Drivers who prioritize comfort over outright performance will find the IS to be one of the best luxury sedans on sale.

7.3

out of 10 expert review

Look & feel

8/10

Lexus sets a high bar for quality. Step inside the IS and you'll get a heavy whiff of the larger ES and GS sedans. The materials are excellent, from the soft pleated leather to the soft-touch rubber dash and silver-painted center stack. The instrument panel's gauges take the look of old wristwatches and modernize them with sharp lighting. The switchgear is just as impressive in the IS as in an $80,000 Lexus LS. You feel rewarded in this Lexus like you won't in a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi.

The exterior styling from some angles is too Toyota, but the slanted headlights, sloping hood, short tail, and large alloy wheels suggest this is something more special. There's a graceful curve to the roof, but it's not too aggressive. This is still a practical and conservative car.

Performance

7/10

Two V6 engines are available. The Lexus IS 250 has a 2.5-liter with 204 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) models get a six-speed manual that's fun only because of the car's novelty as a manual Lexus. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional and brings with it a six-speed automatic transmission. The 250 trim level is just enough to keep you awake, but for anyone looking to scoot, it's capital-S slow. It may not be a full-on sports car, but the Lexus IS 350 is the preferred choice, with a 3.5-liter V6 good for 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This car comes with only RWD and the automatic transmission. It's far more satisfying, and it brings real sporty performance to this small Lexus. An X package is new for 2007 and brings a stiffer sport suspension and 18-inch wheels for the RWD models. While the chassis is balanced and has no trouble keeping up the pace on twisty roads, the IS with either engine is more softly tuned and languid than the best BMW sedans. It tries, but it'd rather pamper you with its quiet interior and comfy ride.

Form & function

7/10

Large, comfortable front seats and rear seats have good lateral support. The back seat is on the small side with less legroom than you might like, and those rear doors don't offer the best ingress and egress given how the fender intrudes into the space. The trunk space measures 13 cubic feet.

For the driver, the controls and seating arrangement put everything within easy reach. Visibility is good. The small screen in the instrument cluster is a bit hard to read.

Technology

7/10

The Lexus IS is a relief among foreign luxury cars because a lot of features come standard. Push-button start and proximity entry, a six-disc CD changer, 13-speaker stereo, 10-way power leather seats, moonroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are all here. Bigger-car amenities like heated and ventilated front seats and power rear sunshades are optional. It's also nice to have rain-sensing wipers, bi-xenon adaptive headlights, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and auto-dim exterior mirrors. Bluetooth connectivity, a reversing camera, and a DVD navigation system that can play DVDs through a 14-speaker Mark Levinson 7.1 surround sound audio system are available, too.

Safety

8/10

The 2007 IS has dual front airbags, dual front knee airbags, front side airbags, and front and rear head curtain airbags standard, along with ABS, traction, and stability control. A Pre-Collision Assist system uses a radar sensor to detect an impending crash. If one is unavoidable, the seatbelt pre-tensioners activate and the brakes are primed to transmit full braking force the moment the driver steps on the pedal. This is optional, along with a reversing camera that comes only with the navigation system.

In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests for the front moderate overlap and side, it scored the best Good rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the 2007 Lexus IS at four out of five stars for the driver and passenger in a frontal crash, five stars for the driver in a side crash, and four stars for the rear passenger in a side crash.

Update: The 2007 Lexus IS came with defective Takata airbags that can explode during a crash and kill the front occupants, so be sure to verify the vehicle has received the recommended recall repairs.

Cost-effectiveness

7/10

The 2007 Lexus IS starts at $30,970 for the IS 250, $35,000 for the IS 250 AWD, and $36,420 for the IS 350. This makes the Lexus less expensive than either the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The EPA measures Fuel economy at 18-21 mpg city, 25-29 mpg highway, and 20-24 mpg combined, depending on which IS you buy. The high quality, generous standard equipment, modest prices, and high reliability are all strong marks for this small, impressive car.

What owners say

AI Summary · 32 reviews

"Overall, drivers are really enjoying the 2007 Lexus IS for its fun driving experience, great handling, and luxurious feel. Many love the sporty and quick performance, along with the quiet and stylish interior. However, some wish for more horsepower and have noted the rear seat is a bit cramped for families. Still, most agree that it provides a great balance of performance and luxury, making it a compelling choice in its class."

4.7

32 reviews

Write a review

by Anonymous

A Super fun car to drive. Insane amount of power available at any time. Super comfortable seats, technology everywhere. Rain sensing wiper blades, auto headlights. HID adaptive headlights (turns around corners). Heated and A/C seats. Will certainly return to the Lexus IS line in the future.

April 22, 2012

by Vikash K

Fantastic build quality, clearly a demonstration of the L-Finesse Lexus philosophy. Looks great b oth on the inside and the out. Sharp curves and aggressive lines mark the front, while the rear is very compact unlike a BMW-3 Has amazing handling, the AWD works great in wet/ icy/ snow conditions. (I live in Minnesota, trust me, it gets real bad here in the winter). Interior is great, the best selling point for the interior would be the dashboard. The machine accelerates quite fast, and is very nimble and stable around corners. This is a semi-sports luxury car, so the ride is very smooth, suspension is obviously not tuned towards the sports end. Would have liked to have the 'Sports' mode option like in the European version here too. The flappy-paddle gear box is a great tool to impress your friends, but as an alternative to the stick-shift, it loses. Couple all the above with Lexus' customer service, and we have a winner.Overall, a fantastic car to own and drive everyday. If you do want a serious and worthy alternative to the BMW-3 series or Audi A-4 stereotypes, this is the car for you. Definitely a head-turner.

May 21, 2008

by Kevin C

The car is amazing. Lexus tried to make a sports sedan that could compare to the three series but instead they created a car that was more luxurious than sporty. Don't get me wrong, the car is plenty sporty, but if you want a sports car stick with the bmw but if not, the IS350 is DEFINITELY your best bet.

October 9, 2008