Test Drive: 2010 Lexus IS 350C

November 4, 2009

All convertibles based on sedan platforms lose some structural rigidity in the transition to droptop form, and the IS C is no exception, exhibiting the “cowl shake” that is common in convertibles. Without getting too technical, you’ll notice it in the way a convertible’s rearview mirror “jiggles” over rough roads. Nevertheless, the IS C isn’t unique in the convertible segment for that, nor in the few squeaks and rattles I noticed in my tester.

2010 Lexus IS 350C. Click image to enlarge

The IS 350 C has no problem getting up to speed, either. Its 3.5-litre engine is the same used elsewhere in the Toyota/Lexus lineup, but oriented longitudinally to fit the car’s rear-wheel drive layout; it’s a wonderful engine, and a perfect fit in this car. Acceleration isn’t as thrilling as it is with BMW’s turbocharged six, and doesn’t possess that engine’s deep well of low-end torque, but this Lexus mill revs smoothly and willingly.

As in the sedan, the 3.5-litre is offered solely with a six-speed automatic transmission; if you want a manual, you’re stuck with the IS 250 C, but I wouldn’t recommend it, simply because the IS’ manual is a serious disappointment. In any event, the auto is a fine operator, with smooth shifts and is a willing player in spirited driving, with prompt downshifts. There’s a manual mode that can be controlled with the shift lever or paddles behind the steering wheel; shifting the car yourself doesn’t make it feel much sportier, but the transmission responds eagerly to driver input.

The IS 350 C’s official fuel consumption ratings are 11.5/7.9 L/100 km (city/highway); I averaged 12.2 L/100 km in mostly city driving.

There are no surprises to be found in the IS C’s dash, which is a drag-and-drop copy of the IS sedan’s. All of it worked very well, despite my tester’s relatively high feature load, which included navigation and touch-screen controls for the stereo and HVAC systems. Basic radio and climate controls are duplicated with real buttons on the dash. As with other Toyota/Lexus products I’ve driven recently, fit and finish were fine, but didn’t seem quite up to the standards of a premium brand.

On the outside, it looks like Lexus’ stylists worked hard to disguise the car’s rather significant bustle, with limited success. As a result, the IS C doesn’t look great from the rear, top up or down. Of course, when you’re in the car, enjoying the sun on a nice day, how the car looks from the outside matters little. That said, the high decklid restricts the driver’s view rearward, particularly with the top up.

The IS C is a fine car, but it’s not the automotive revelation that the Lexus brand was, arguably, at its inception two decades ago. What this car does, though, is give Lexus dealers a convertible that fits the brand’s character perfectly, and one that will attract shoppers who previously would have had to take their $50,000 to $60,000 elsewhere. That doesn’t sound like much of an endorsement, but I suspect it’s exactly what Lexus had in mind.

Pricing: 2010 Lexus IS 350C

Base price: $60,400

Options: $3,900 (Navigation Package (navigation system, Mark Levinson stereo, backup camera)

A/C tax: $100

Freight: $1,895

Price as tested: $66,295
Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives

Specifications

Specifications: 2010 Lexus IS C

Related articles on Autos

Used Vehicle Review: Lexus IS, 2001-2005

First Drive: 2010 Lexus IS C

Test Drive: 2009 Lexus IS F