Verdict
B
Saloon · Japan · 1999-Present
Lexus IS
Lexus IS — spec data and generation history.
Years
1999-Present
Generations
4
Segment
Saloon
Lexus's compact executive saloon — four generations, BMW 3 Series target. UK got the IS200/IS300 (Mk1, 1999-2005) with smooth straight-six petrol and rear-drive; IS220d/IS250 (Mk2, 2005-2013) brought a diesel option and the IS-F V8 monster; IS300h hybrid (Mk3, 2013-2020) was the only powertrain UK got that gen. Current Mk4 (2020-Present) is a major facelift on Mk3 underpinnings — UK gets IS300h only. Mk2 IS-F is the cult one: 5.0 V8, 416 bhp, RWD, 8AT — Lexus's first M-rivalling saloon and still underrated. The IS300h is a sensible alternative to a 3 Series 320d for school-run executives. Build quality unimpeachable. The hybrid years narrow appeal — no manual after Mk2, no diesel after 2013, no UK V8 after 2014. Honest, sensible, occasionally brilliant.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
Mk1 1999-2005 → Mk2 2005-2013
BHP +50 bhp
Torque +50 Nm
0–60 mph −0.8 s
Top speed +8 mph
MPG +3 mpg
Mk2 2005-2013 → Mk3 2013-2020
BHP −15 bhp
Torque +0 Nm
0–60 mph +0.5 s
Top speed −5 mph
MPG +18 mpg
Mk3 2013-2020 → Mk4 2020-Present
BHP +0 bhp
Torque +0 Nm
0–60 mph +0 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +0 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1999-2005
Mk1
→
IS200 — 153 bhp, 0-62 in 9.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
153
0–60
9.5 s
Top
134 mph
MPG
28.0 mpg
Used
£1,500-£5,000
- + Smooth 1G-FE straight-six
- + Rear-drive
- − Slow vs spec
- − Cabin small
2005-2013
Mk2
→
IS-F — 416 bhp, 0-62 in 4.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
416
0–60
4.6 s
Top
168 mph
MPG
24.0 mpg
Used
£2,500-£28,000
- + IS-F is the cult car — 5.0 V8
- + Cabin upgraded
- − IS220d diesel agricultural
- − Boot small
2013-2020
Mk3
→
IS300h — 220 bhp, 0-62 in 8.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
220
0–60
8.4 s
Top
125 mph
MPG
57.0 mpg
Used
£12,000-£26,000
- + Hybrid efficiency real-world
- + Cabin a step up again
- − eCVT drone under load
- − No diesel for UK
2020-Present
Mk4
→
IS300h — 220 bhp, 0-62 in 8.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
220
0–60
8.4 s
Top
125 mph
MPG
57.0 mpg
Used
£26,000-£42,000
- + Sharper face and tail
- + Cabin tech updated
- − Mostly Mk3 underneath
- − No new powertrain in UK
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1999-2005 · Mk1
- Body rust on rear arches (UK salt)
- SatNav DVD drive failures
- Front control arm bush wear
2005-2013 · Mk2
- IS220d EGR cooler / DPF
- Front upper ball joint wear
- SatNav optical drive
2013-2020 · Mk3
- IS300h 12V auxiliary battery
- Hybrid water pump
- Rear shock absorber leaks
2020-Present · Mk4
- IS300h 12V battery weak
- Infotainment update lag
- Soft brake pedal feel complaint
Rivals
BMW 3 Series · Audi A4 · Mercedes C-Class · Jaguar XE