Straightline

Here's the beef I have with this comparo:
 
- They said the style is "subjective" and only "Toyota Fanboys" would like it, which is not professional at all. Of course, the stylish can be a subjective matter, but that doesn't mean that if one likes it, he's a "Fanboy". Unbiased review? I don't think so.
 
- Quote from Edmunds: "The 3,780-pound IS-F gets to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and does the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 109 mph, trailing the RS4 to 60 mph by about a half-second and to the quarter-mile by almost as much. This is with the stability and traction control systems off (yes, Lexus actually allows such a thing, a policy initiated for its performance cars for 2007) and the transmission in Drive. Later we made our runs and manually shifted the IS-F's transmission, which feels fast but predictably isn't, especially since the launch is better in Drive."
 
Car and Driver did it in Sport mode (less wheel spin there) and with manual shifting and got 4.2 seconds. Edmunds, maybe you still have a thing or two to learn...
 
Why did they have the transmission in regular Automatic? I thought Lexus said that if the driver puts the transmission in M mode and has the sport button activated that it would give the best launch times?
 
- Quote from Edmunds: "Where the IS-F has a certain look that we associate with the worst excesses of the aftermarket, the Audi is all understated musculature. It's relatively subtle, but we like it."
 
Edmunds editors, please find me an aftermarket job that looks like the IS-F and please be specific about how come that the IS-F looks aftermarket and Audi is "subtle" when clearly the lines are much busier on the RS4.

I agree about the styling comment, Louis. Leave that up to the buyer.
 
And while I'm not a big fan of the IS (the C-pillar area looks too bulky), the RS4 is starting to look dated, indeed a new A4 has already debuted.
 
Sounds like AWD beat RWD this time around.

Of course the RS4 offers the better 1/4 mile times as its AWD launch helps it tremendously. The Lexus although with a slower ET has a higher trap speed. So from a 60 MPH roll the Lexus should walk away from the Audi and the mentioned 335i without question.
 
Audi styling is the winner here so I wont go into detail on that subject although tthe Lexus probably matches the Audi in material quality, fit and finish.
 
As a car enthusiast I believe any vehicle with performance intentions should offer a TRUE manual transmission. Kudos to the M3 and RS4 for having them. Lexus and Mercedes really need to offer a manual even on the lesser C350 and IS350. In the end it looks like the M3 has nothing to worry about.

If the IS-F retains the regular IS exterior with only minor cosmetic differences like the RS4 does then it'll be call an "IS500" or "just an IS with a V8". If the IS-F isn't as track worthy as it is or isn't "hardcore" as Edmunds put it then it'll be called "just as soft as every other Lexus".
 
Either way Lexus can't win with this car. Since that's the case I like Lexus' "all out approach" in order to prove that "the -F is everything you thought we weren't". It's another way of them saying: the heck with you guys.

Nice review. When I first heard about the Lexus, I expected much more. It seems that Toyota doesn't understand this market. They produced a car that Scion owners would love, not realising that most people who are willing to drop $60+K on a car expect so so much more than just motor. A complete refined package, both aesthetically and mechanically and this IS is neither.
Weird since that has been the hallmark of previous Lexus vehicles.

an even better review would be the lexus against the c63 benz or the new bimmer m3 sedan
now that would be amazing considering they are so similar on paper

I think it's a very valid comparison. These are the tarrgets Lexus is aiming for. I agree with Cah about an M3 comparison, though. Everyone aims for the 3-series.

I don't know if it is just me or are these editors are really biased. Since the launch of an IS300 or the altezza i've been a big fan of the IS the Edmunds criticized it all over, but then the current IS they went criticising on it all over again have to tell i didn't like the design of the current IS's either for in my opinion looks feminine. Go past the design and the IS 350 is a great car ,but now there is IS F. Overall the IS f looks great and shows promising numbers, but i really like to see a stick in the center (maybe 6 spd MT), but really not sure about that since it is 8 speed, anyways my point is if you are reading from Edmunds you are never going to hear a good thing about LEXUS

You might as well claim the entire US press is biased against the IS 350 then, not just Edmunds, cuz I haven't read one test where it is prefered over the 3 series.

I really dont think Lexus aimed the IS series dead at the 3 Series, I think Lexus decided to make an entry level luxury/performance sedan that was reasonably sporty and powerful, of course in Lexus fashion.
This is of course very similar with what Cadillac did with the new CTS. They didnt make it a Cadillac 3 Series they produced a Cadillac CTS thats actually fun to drive, very stylish, and very American.
 
This relates to the 2nd reason I dont care for Infiniti products as Infiniti is trying to make a 3 Series. You cant beat BMW at being BMW!

consumer reports probably picked the IS350 over the 335i because its a toyota

To me, it looked like there was dust / sand on the pavement at the launch point in the video. This would be the same for both cars of course but it might explain a slower 0-60 for the IS vs results attained in tests by others.
 
More about show than go? Call me picky but........I don't get the decision not to physically connect the schmancy exhaust tips to the actual exhaust - even with a flex system (if that was the issue). It kind makes me question the validity of the car as a true competitor.......I know, I know.....picky!!

wow it sounds like they got all the drivers for this comparison out of an audi dealers parking lot..... (got a license? good follow us and you can have some free chick fillet coupons!) i like both cars but i gotta say the audi just looks boring and if you dont know audis probably wouldnt know its anything special.... also you cant compare performance numbers like 0-60 and track times of an awd with a rwd the awd is going to have a crazy amount of grip and to top it off the drivers didnt even know how to drive the lexus nice...... but im gunna explain my above comment with reasons in order as i see them in the video.... ok first off you cant just say it looks like a whale lmao and only toyota fan boys might like it... wow well imo only audi fan boys will like an audi (i personally think they look very round and boring) and only chevy guys will like chevys... but w/e that is just the start of it... second the audi offers an understated look WE find more appealing... lol ok so the lexus looks like a whale but the audi is just understated looking and you guys like that... er ok after all your the experts... next we think the Lexus is to showy on the inside... who would want a nice interior for that much money right? next! "lexus through everything it had at the 5.0l v8"........ LOL if you say so not even close to what lexus could have made for numbers just what they knew was enough to beat an audi lol thats just more opinion tho... i love it... ok next the intake makes the isf feel quicker than it really is... is that why so many hondas have such loud after market exhausts to make them feel "quicker" lol more opinion! ok i already commented on the 0-60 times and others have mentioned that much better times have been reached by mare qualified drivers and the awd vrs rwd factor... also like the other guy said let them race from a role and see what happens. (we all know what will happen)ok now according to one UNDERSTATED tester the rear end gets pretty lively... they make it sound so bad but isnt this a good thing at times??? makes it a much more fun car to drive imo! if you stay outta the peddle you get better grip than the audi but if you get in it you can have all the fun you want... and the verdict the lexus is just to much for them... lol well guess im a toyota fan boy but they pointed every fault they could find (or make up) for the lexus and tried to make the audis faults ok because THEY like it better that way....