2012 Lexus IS250 AWD Sedan – Is It All It’s Made Out To Be?

Today’s blog is going to be a review for the 2012 IS250 AWD Sedan. A really big bonus to this car right from the get go is that it is All Drive, or put in other words, it’s Winter approved. This car does have the option of Rear-Wheel-Drive however if you are a practical driver and looking to invest in one car (for now), the AWD option is the best. 

Lexus is a popular brand in North America and the brand that many car owners would choose to stick with or buy from over the other big brand name cars – Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, for instance. 

It packs a 204-horsepower V6 engine under the hood that delivers good fuel economy ratings and 185 pound-feet torque. The AWD version is only available with an automatic transmission where the rear-drive models give the driver the option between a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. 

Standard fixings for this car include: 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, heated mirrors, a sunroof, keyless entry/ignition, dual zone automatic climate control, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. In terms of safety, it comes equipped with the Safety Connect telematics system, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a 13-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB interface. As if all of this wasn’t enough, it also comes with heated front seats. 

The performance ratings for this car are something, maybe not exactly something to talk about but for sure something. In a recent Edmunds test, the IS250 went from 0-60 within 7.5 seconds. Lexus’s competitors, the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 series, didn’t really do too well in comparison coming in only a second less for the same speed range. In the Edmunds brake testing, the IS250 (equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires) came to a stop from 60 mph in a short 113 feet. The IIHS awarded the IS250 a perfect “Good” rating for its performance in both frontal-offset and side impact tests.  

Standard safety equipment in this car include: antilock disc brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and Safety Connect, which in itself is a traditional telematics service that comes with automatic collision notification, stolen-vehicle locator, and an emergency assistance button. 

The price for this car is another bonus, with the MSRP starting at $32,900 for the RWD version and $38,000 for the AWD. The trunk of this car can hold a maximum of 13 cubic feet of luggage, which is within the average range for these cars in this class.

Final Thoughts 

I would definitely recommend getting this car if you are a Lexus lover. It is a stunning vehicle on the exterior and with the leather upholstery, who would refuse? Not to mention the impressive performance rating it was given by the IIHS AND the fact that it comes with RWD or AWD options. It may take a while to pick up but once your cruising down the highway in this, you will definitely be happy with your choice, especially when it turns heads. So what are you waiting for?