2021 Lexus IS 300h Review: IS Time To Shine

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2021 Lexus IS 300h Review: IS Time To Shine 2021 Lexus IS 300h...

Derryn Wong

01/02/2021

Pricing and competition, conclusion

The new styling aside you could argue that nothing has really changed, but the context in 2021 is that hybrid cars have turned the pricing corner, even in the luxury tier.

In fact, the hybrid nature of the IS works to make it even less expensive than its gasoline brothers, and its competitors. It’s one of the few executive sedans (C 300e aside) to nab a VES A2 rating, which brings its price down to S$192,800 with COE, making it the least expensive IS of them all. Even the higher-spec Luxury model, driven here, at S$203,800 with COE, still undercuts the BMW 318i and Mercedes C 180.

The car we test drove was the IS 300h Luxury variant, which at S$18k more than the Executive model, isn’t quite worth the shelling out. The Lux model has ventilated seats with nicer leather, a more snazzy ‘triple L’ headlamp style, and 19-inch wheels instead of 18-inch ones.

But if a Mercedes-Benz C 160 can clock in 8.0L/100km (though this model is apparently totally sold out), is that so much of a benefit? Yes, because the IS 300h has 100hp more than the least C-Class, and it would be easy to better 6.3L/100km if the IS 300h was driven in a smoother. Another benchmark? We achieved an average of 7.5L/100km in the mild hybrid Mercedes-Benz C 200.

While a plug-in, like the BMW 330e or Mercedes-Benz C 300e, could theoretically do without petrol for weeks at a time, that’s only if you have access to your own charging point and Singapore being what it is now, you probably don’t. Not to mention PHEVs are also more costly, with the 330e costing S$261,888 with COE, and the C 300e S$257,888 with COE.

Conclusion

Our greatest concern with the new re-refreshed IS was that the old platform would hold the car back. Those have proven to be unfounded, with significant improvements to the handling and acceleration while keeping the car’s efficient nature intact. Although the cabin is less of a step forward, it’s been brought forward in the right places (safety, connectivity), despite the unavoidable nagging.

Page 1: Introduction, design and appearance
Page 2: Interior, space, equipment
Page 3: Driving experience
Page 4: Pricing, competition, conclusion

Lexus IS 300h Luxury

Engine	2,487cc, inline 4
Power	178hp at 5700rpm
Torque	221Nm at 4200-5200rpm
Gearbox	CVT
Electric Motor	140hp/300Nm
Battery	NiMh, unknown capacity
System Power	219hp
System Torque	Not stated
0-100km/h	8.5 seconds
Top Speed	180km/h
Fuel Efficiency	5.4 L/100km
VES Band / CO2	A2 / 122g/km
Agent	Borneo Motors
Price	S$203,800 with COE
Availability	Now
Verdict	A sexier appearance with an updated drive to match, and now extremely price competitive – the hybrid IS has never been in a better spot

About the Author

Derryn Wong

CarBuyer's former chief editor was previously the editor for Top Gear Singapore and a presenter for CNA's Cruise Control motoring segment.

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