Photo 9 -- Rear Seats

Whereas the previous IS was docked points for a generally unfinished and un-Lexus-like interior, the new IS takes the next step toward finishing the thought with touchy-feely surfaces, comfortable seats and – though the test vehicles were pre-production – a level of quality you would expect from Lexus. The only possible exception here is the base IS 250: More in terms of materials and features, sitting inside the IS 250 is a different experience than lounging in the more luxurious IS 350. This seems to be done at least partially by design. Lexus officials say they are attempting to offer a new IS within financial reach of the crowd that put them on the map in the first place: 29-year-old men with just enough money to pretend to be within hailing distance of luxury.