Auto News & New car review

If Lexus gave out awards to its own cars, the second-generation IS unveiled at Geneva would certainly garner the company’s Most Significant trophy, just as it scored the coveted AutoWeek hardware (AW, March 14) of the same name. Forget about a Formula One-inspired, six-figure supercar in the vein of the LF-A concept shown at Detroit (AW, Jan. 17). Build such a bank breaker and the Jay Lenos of the world will undoubtedly come, but the IS will serve as Lexus’ Sherpa. It needs to carry the company’s new look, new mechanicals and hoped-for buffed image up the mountain that forms the ultra-competitive entry-level luxury sport sedan segment. Read the rest of this entry »

The all-new 2008 Lexus LX is a true luxury vehicle first and foremost, with advanced safety, comfort and quality features. It’s a big, heavy vehicle that can tow big loads, haul heavy cargo, and transport people and gear across great distances in comfort. It uses the same heavy frame and stout powertrain as the Toyota Land Cruiser.
Like the Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX 570 is designed for extraordinary versatility and an unusual combination of utility and luxury. But with the Lexus, luxury comes first. Read the rest of this entry »

The Lexus IS 300 stuffs snappy performance and superior quality into a sassy compact four-door sedan. It’s the enthusiast’s choice among the more affordable cars in the Lexus stable and, inside and out, it looks like nothing else in the lineup.

The Lexus IS 300 is comparably priced with the more conservative Lexus ES 330, but is targeted toward a younger audience. While the ES 330 uses a V6 and front-wheel drive, the IS 300 uses an inline-6 and rear-wheel drive. The ES is smooth and sophisticated; the IS is hip and aggressive. With 215-horsepower, rear-wheel drive and road-hugging handling, the IS 300 is an alternative to the benchmark BMW 3 Series and Nissan G35. The SportCross sport wagon brings practicality to the mix. Read the rest of this entry »

One of life’s sinking feelings comes from waking up just before sunup, looking outside and seeing that you left an interior light on in the car all night long. In the old days, that scenario guaranteed a dead battery.

I had that feeling recently, at 5:30 a.m. on a cold Sunday. I saw the dome light shining inside today’s test car, a 2008 Lexus RX 350. It was both a beacon to tell the neighbors I was a nitwit and a signal that I wasn’t going back to sleep, not while wondering whether the battery still had enough juice left to start the engine. Read the rest of this entry »

The Lexus SC 430 switches from luxury hardtop coupe to open roadster with the press of a button. It’s quiet and secure with the top up, perfect for two people dressed for an evening on the town. Dropping the power hardtop converts it into an open roadster, enjoyable on those perfect spring days. Read the rest of this entry »

So we recently got some seat time in the Lexus IS F, and we can proudly report that it’s not anything Lexus has ever been before. Does it really compare to the M3 and C63 AMG? In a little-kid-from-down-the-street-trying-to-get-in-the-game way, yeah. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be in the game. Follow the jump for the full story, and check out the new gallery of Lexus IS F pics below. Read the rest of this entry »