IS 250 Fun to Drive, But Too Small for Family

2009 Lexus IS 250

model as tested $40,500

Test Drove 4/2/09 – 4/9/09
reviewed by Sara Lacey

The 2009 Lexus IS 250 isn’t your average family sedan. Lexus says it can fit five occupants, but my family of four would respectfully disagree with that number. I practically had to cram my whole family into the IS 250. After spending a week test-driving it, I think I’ve found its place in a mom’s life: The IS 250 is the car you get once you become an empty-nester.

What makes this the perfect car for when you’re on your own? You don’t have to share it with anyone, and you won’t have to worry about your teen sneaking it out (because they will try, you know it’s true). Just think, once the kids are out of the house, you’ll be responsible for just you (and maybe your husband); you can finally indulge a little. Yay for you (I think I’m a little jealous)!

If you’re still considering the IS 250 for your small family, I understand why you would. With this Lexus you can indulge in luxury car for less dough; the IS 250 has an MSRP of $34,785. Yes, that’s a pretty penny to be sure, however, you get leather seats, a moonroof, a fabulous stereo system, all-wheel drive (if you are more of a race-car mama, rear-wheel drive is available, too), and a bevy of safety features. This makes the entry-level IS 250 pretty tantalizing.

The IS 250 is a lot of fun to drive, but I can’t help feeling that it should have a manual transmission with its V-6 engine. The automatic with paddle shifters almost makes me forget that I wish the IS 250 had a little more power. I know it’s not very, um, fuel-efficient of me, but I must floor the IS 250 everywhere I go to get that goofy, speed-induced grin. Thankfully, this car gets an EPA-estimated 20/26 mpg city/highway, so I can feel less guilty when I floor it. The IS 250 also has responsive brakes and steering. As a result, the IS 250 made me happiest when it was just me and her, with no complaints of car sickness from the backseat. 

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