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Driving: Ride and Handling

If modern sport sedans were singularly about grunt, Lexus engineers could have bolted in the 416-horsepower V-8 and called it a day. Problem is, that’s not the case – today’s hot rods need to tackle corners with the same tenacity as drag strips. To accomplish this, the 3,780-lb. IS F packs a performance nut’s dream collection of handling hardware, including Brembo discs and calipers and high-rate coil springs fastened under all four corners. The result is a luxurious four-door that feels immensely stable at speeds best reserved for the oval, provides impressive grip by aggressive 19-inch rubber on gradual sweepers, and offers a minimal amount of body roll in tight turns. Push the IS F real hard at high speeds and the front end will unleash a bit of understeer, but it’s hardly enough to truly complain about, and to its credit, the ride during gentle commutes is a bit stiff but well short of jarring. Turn off all the traction control systems and the IS F will wag its tail with ease, not to mention allow its driver to execute one helluva brake stand.

Without the benefit of track time, we were left to test the IS F’s limits on deserted roads, and we determined that any limits regarding capability will almost always be imposed by the driver and not the car. Simply put, unless you’re a regular on the F1 circuit, the IS F will never leave you wanting. Part of that is due a speed-sensitive steering system offering plenty of feedback and response in normal mode, even more so when the Sport button is pressed behind the steering wheel, and those well-modulated Brembos that slow things down in a hurry. After a few days of abuse, the upsized discs never exhibited any shuddering or fade, though there was a coarse feeling transmitted through the brake pedal after repeated hard stops. We’d be content with the stock stoppers, but word is a ceramic brake package will be available for drivers desiring the ultimate in brake components.

Comfort

Since the 2008 Lexus IS F is designed to be driven with more enthusiasm than the regular IS, the front seats feature a stronger frame and a substantial bump in side support. In hard corners the driver and front passenger are kept relatively still by the thick bolsters, yet the 10-way power adjustable seats are soft enough to be plenty comfy while stuck in traffic or traveling for hundreds of miles at highway speeds. Of course, the inclusion of multi-setting heat, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and padded door sills and armrests helps, too.

In terms of room, there’s enough to accommodate a wide range of body types up front, but the rear seat, limited to two passengers with the addition of a standard center console, is tight, especially when long-legged friends are riding shotgun. If you’re looking for a sports car that will transport you and three of your buddies or family members in comfort, the IS F is a better choice than a two-door coupe, but don’t be surprised if full-grown rear seat passengers start asking “Are we there yet?”

Controls

Controls for the IS F have been carried over from the IS 250 and IS 350. Equipped with the optional touch-screen navigation system and Mark Levinson sound package, we found our tester’s primary buttons to be within easy reach and very intuitive. Those on the door panels were also laid out well, as were the steering wheel-mounted buttons. If we were to make changes, they’d include the inclusion of a simple fan-speed dial and not controls buried in the touch-screen display, and heated seat buttons included with the climate controls instead of being placed forward of the gear lever.