Should You Buy a LEXUS IS300h? (Test Drive & Review) 

A 2019 IS300h is my new daily, and I've had it for getting on 6 months. I'm convinced Lexus is making cars that a perfect for owners, rather than reviewers. In the real world, the positive points of the Lexus (build quality, good ride, comfort, mechanical reliability, electrical reliability, ease of use, equipment, fuel economy, general running costs, dealer experience) are exactly what you want from a luxury compact saloon. Sure, a reviewer will want to be able to drift it, more feeling in the steering, more involved driving experience, sportier ride etc. But in the real world, it's largely irrelevant; if you want driving sensation, get a GR86 / MX-5 / GR Yaris / M2 / Boxster etc. But for a small luxury saloon, you can keep your Jaguar XE complete with rattles, failures, cheap plastic interior, and slightly more spirited drive. I don't think I'd move away from Lexus if I'm ever looking for a relaxing luxury car in the future.

Jesus mate... You going for the most automotive uploads in a month???love the diversity of the cars you review

As someone who's owned an IS 300h for over a couple of months now, I can say that the fuel consumption is very impressive. Surprisingly, it performs better for me on the motorways, giving me around 55-57 MPG on long motorway rides. In-city driving varies from anywhere between 30 MPG to 80 MPG. Other than that, it's a very comfortable car and couldn't recommend it enough. All in all, just can't fault it

Owned this car like about a year now. Very good, very! Good fuel economy, great drive on long cruises (lots better than competition in my opinion!). Overall great buy, and it keeps its value. And its not a slough, it has good power for normal drive or overtaking, and quite fun also with sport mode complimented with those gear shifters. Best part is still the comfort and extremely sofisticated ride. You can drive this car for hours and hours and don't feel tired. Of course you cant beat the reliability, nothing goes wrong with these cars.

Who like me is watching this for the second time. Cracking relatable content

Love your jokes and sense of humour.. but most importantly you reviews are excellent and informative not to mention that you review everyday cars.. keep it up.. thank you.

Yes you should! I have one and it's incredibly smooth and quite quick in sportmode as well Many people compliment the good looks. Coolfactor 12/10 Wish they gave the option for a V6 in europe instead of hybrid tho Oh and make sure you choose one with the Mark Levinson sound system

got a 2014 one with 155k miles Just passed mot flying colours never had any issues over the years still nice and comfy . top spec and just upgraded the infotainment system with an aftermarket but everything else is great.

I have a 2018 IS300h Advance. I think it's great! Previous car was a Mercedes C220 AMG Line. I loved it's looks but it was like driving a tractor with a ridiculously hard ride. It also had loads of problems which meant about 6 weeks in the garage in the first 2 years. The Lexus is the opposite. No Problems, serene and peaceful to drive and no rattles. In sport mode it's also reasonably quick, just avoid stamping on the throttle.

Just bought one! 18 plate EXEC in black from Lexus Swindon. Very happy, thanks for the review.

I bought a low mile premier edition from approved used Lexus in Bristol. The car is reliable, with smooth ride and engine. Full of useful technology and luxuries. I got used to the gearbox and I really like it now vs. traditional ones. It's extremely smooth without jerky gearchanges. The only problems I have are : soft paint (deep chips, down to bare metal) , and loud creak in the center console tunnel when going into corners, which could be down to the previous owner installing dash cam or something similar .The overall quality of the interior is good but it's very delicate and subject to cosmetic scratching during cleaning (paradox) vs. something like Ford Focus , which would be full ugly, but soft and scratch resistant vinyl. The economy on UK highway (1 gallon = 4.54L) is 50-53mpg indicated (the computer overestimates by 3mpg) , but could be as low as 33mpg on short journeys/inclines where I live. I've seen 60mpg when driving around 30-50mph areas on flat surfaces. Overall, I rather a reliable smooth petrol engine vs. more sensitive to driving style and fuel quality modern diesels. Shame about the interior.... P.S. It's fast enough , and I am coming from 5.0L m113 V8 Benz. Just drive in NORMAL for better throttle response (ECO makes it feel really slow) , or SPORT , which really gives a nice shove between 0 and 35mph, and then a nice kick at higher speed/RPM.

Quotes of the day: "But to try and tune in the radio to your favourite station is a bit like working at Bletchley Park in the 1940s." "The noise that it makes from that CVT gear box … always makes you feel more sorry for it than anything else." Had to Google Oak Island en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Island_mystery Great video. Always look forward to these,

I’ve just bought a white Fsport model with heated and cooled seats, Marc Levinson 15 speakers stereo. I know the F sport has slightly harder ride, but c,mon it’s a totally better looking car and I love it, now Mr high peaks, tell the truth you loved that car👍. Anyway I was waiting with bated breath for you to test one cause I respect your opinion on cars, and your sense of humor in these sad times with so many people dying is very welcome tonic. Stay safe everybody.🙏

Picking mine up in 2 days, this honest review is one of the things that made me purchase it. It looks like it offers what I value in a car but we’ll see.

Great video, love these cars. Disclaimer, I work at a Lexus dealer and all the sales guys love driving the IS, such a smooth and settled drive. And as you say extremely reliable. Really enjoy your reviews mate, keep ‘em coming! P.S. Best spec is Advance if pre 2017.

Glad you did a review on this as this is the car I've been eyeing up for a while! Great videos as always :)

I have the pleasure of owning a Lexus is300h and I have to say it's the best car I have ever driven. I’ve had my Lexus 5 years and I enjoy driving the car now as I did when I first bought it. There are two buttons to open the boot, an exterior button to the right of the rear number plate and a interior button near to where your right knee will be when seated. As for the lack of power? Well there is a Sports mode button which will enhance the speed should you want to accelerate faster and over take. If I have the money in the future I would buy another Lexus.

I’m searching for Lexus IS reviews atm and found your fantastic channel. You got a new subscriber. Thank you and keep it up!

Another great review. Love the Bletchley Park comparison.

You're spot on when talking about Lexus dealers. It seems that every single one of them around the world provides an exceptional service. Makes me wish I liked Lexus cars and had one.... too bad, I am yet to find one that would "click" with me.

Great cars. My mum had a hybrid RX450h and when we took it in for service they gave us one of these. It was such a nice car and it even had cooled seats

Very helpful video. Thank you. I am browsing for one of these to buy next month. Absolutely done with Qashqai getting sub 40mpg at present.

A good review but I think you might be underselling the IS here. My experience with the Premier model is very positive. It is certainly economical and quiet, but stick it into Sports mode and it handles and feels like a different and much faster car. Build quality is excellent and nothing has gone wrong with it in 4 years.

A few incorrect stats thrown out in this video regarding the acceleration. He's driving in economy mode and it's not thrilling, however the drive mode is quicker and the sport mode is animal. He didn't even mention these options and they are a huge part of the driving experience. Not to mention the instant take off from the lights due to the instant power from the battery. The gears can also be manually done by shifting the gear stick across, allowing up and down gear change or use the flappy paddles. When in sport mode the screen changes from the EV to a fiery red speedo with rev counter and the feel of the car changes including the steering wheel damper and ride. There is also a dial under the dash which adjusts artificial cabin sound to allow an engine roar noise when in sport mode. It's just a playful feature to give you a more racy experience. This is a flawed review.

Been waiting for this video. Thank you for the upload, mate.

Thinking of buying one as my first car as soon as I passed the test this summer

It is a great car and with Japanese build quality, We get 52 - 53 mpg fro ours. You can also turn the ACS off to make acceleration quieter. We've had ours just over two years, and haven't regretted it for a moment. The only problem we've had was a spark plug which failed. I agree about tuning the radio, not at all easy., especially with DAB. Most reviewers don't like hybrids, and want to compare the Lexus with German, less reliable makes.

I've had a few of these as courtesy cars and they're nice, I'd say for an non-petrolhead this is a brilliant choice. For driving engagement it's pretty bad though, feels really slow even though it's average and the handling isn't anything special. The old IS250 (I owned one for a few years) seemed to have a better chassis and of course sounded much better. I now have a GS450h and that car proves Lexus really could do a great job with handling and performance in this era, shame they've replaced that with the ES which only has the dull 300h drivetrain. The service from the dealers and the reliability really are on a totally different level to any other brand though. Not counting the service plan and tyres (the GS can destroy those...) I've definitely eaten more value in biscuits than I've paid out for anything over the last 5 years/2 cars.

I had a 2017 IS300h as a hire car for a week recently, and now I can't shake the feeling that I should buy one - the overall driving experience was as you say, serene.

I have one. Real world quality is better than my previous german cars. Literally bomb proof and comes out on top in reliability surveys year after year. I put 35k miles a year on mine. Expensive 2nd hand though, they maintain their value even with high miles.

Great review. Having switched from a Toyota hybrid to a Hyundai, the noticeable difference is the gearbox. Instead of the thrashy CVT transmission Hyundai uses a dual clutch set up. It is very smooth and quiet in comparison. Plus the sport mode is surprisingly responsive and surprises a lot of drivers who look down their noses at hybrids. It operates without the dreaded thrashy CVT noise. It's a shame that Toyota/Lexus hybrids don't use the same system as I think it would be more appealing to those who want a hybrid but also would like a sport option.

Yes. I'm. Lexus and Alfa fan after selling almost every car. I do like an Axiam micro car but that's only due to insanity.. Formerly I was a Volvo Lexus Alfa fan. Lexus best of them all. Solid and smooth and rare ish and just great. Everything is good in the world when in an LS or GS and when in an IS you're no pauper. Think about a big 7 series and how average Joe you are in a 3 series. Be it 316 to m340i. Lexus is where it is at. And the dealers just naturally cool and thankful to have you in their to possibly sell to. Just great.

Sound like my type of car. Nice ride and high mpg and I know that it won't break down.

Nicely done man! I hope you're doing well, thanks for giving me some time of the day to completely get away from this crazy stuff everyday on the news. I wish we got this in Canada, but unfortunately we usually get whatever the US does, but with 40% higher fuel costs.

thanks for great review, thinking of checking one of these out, greetings from Ireland

Great review, love the honesty of your reviews. I must have watched this video 10+ times before buying this car myself in black with black Sport spec wheels. I get a lot of compliments on its looks, its immensely faster than my last 1.8L manual Civic was (especially in Sport mode), the ride quality is much better despite the larger wheels, the standard sound system is good, there are no rattles or squeezes, and the fuel economy is excellent - coupled with the large fuel tank, I can get around a thousand kilometers between fill-ups. All round just a fantastic car. I was in a mate's 2017 Audi TT recently and the road noise and harsh ride made me appreciate my IS300H even more.

Best thing about the Lexus is they do not go wrong. Where BMW, Merc Audi etc become huge money pits as they age, the Lexi just keep running with standard servicing. There is even a video about a million mile Lexus still on its original engine and transmission, with no work needing to be done on the engine.

These are very good, well built, quality cars imo. If you can get the premier version with all the add-ons, do so. It's a great pity that Lexus no longer make the latest model available in the UK.

About the cheap plastics: You’ve got the basic one. The give away is the rotary dial. I test drove a IS 300h with Premier pack, the one I wanted was the F Sport with Premier pack...unfortunately the price was just a tad high so I settled for a BMW F10 520d M Sport. But I do want one of these...blue exterior, rose interior and F Sport with Premier pack.

So glad you made this video. I've been in a few of these as taxis recently and was very impressed. The interior looks brilliant, the leather was superb and felt more like a 5 series in terms of quality. And the space in the back was far bigger than my dad's c class. Overally was very impressed and the hybrid tranquility adds to the luxury feel.

the most decent videos on youtube 👍 You just simply kill the other dudes with the quality of the content, keeping them exactly short as they should be and any time I watch one, I rush to the sites and look for the next one. Thank God you do them so often-I have no chance of buying the car I've just been watched 🥳

Another great video Matt....always essential viewing ...just what you need in these strange and worrying times. Keep safe and well everyone ...

Love the Bletchley Park analogy and glad to know it's not just old gits like me who struggle with car entertainment systems.

I really think you should buy, if you can afford it, an LS 500h!! Probably the best full size luxury sedan equipped with the finest hybrid system and with the possibility to enjoy the REAL Shiatsu massage while listening to your favorite music thanks to the Mark Levinson high quality sound system with something like 2.400 watts of power!!! All of this, obviously, in the absolute comfort 😁😁😁😁😁

Had a new 1999 Is200. Rather like the one I had, this one strikes me as dull but worthy. Would take one of these as a long term proposition though.

Thanks very much. I bought an IS based on your excellent reviews. I'm super impressed with your work.

I've one of these for 4y. The best consumption I've got is 57mpg. Average about 50. The steering is superb and the car is rock steady. You're a bit of a spoofer!

Superb review always look forward To the next one👍

Have been waiting for this car for some time

This Japanese beaut or 2.0 diesel?? I think it looks great especially the Ass😍 Uber reliable and on motorway cruising at 70-80 pretty much silent.. If I would be doing 2 hours of driving like I used to for this money there isn't much else to compare it... No DPF problems no turbo problems just peace and quiet... Just enough poke to overtake (safely😇) the granny in Honda Jazz on B road and no worries at all to keep up in the fast line on UK motorways... I am only 37 but this Lexus is up there if ever I would need a proper miles muncher😎

Wish they never get rid of the gear stick and the handbrake leaver, bloody hate the button handbrake.

Absolutely love the lexus brand and these models are great though it’s a shame they didn’t come out with a true is200 hybrid. Having owned an e-class and driven many other German luxury cars , i wouldn’t swap my ct200h for any of those pretentious boxes which all failed endless times and offered horrible main dealer experiences so glad you made that point 👍

My IS300H arrives tomorrow . My 16 year old has a GS350 Lexus. Fabulous car.

Just bought a 2017 Sport and it’s amazing to drive so far. Hopefully it last as I presume

I’ve had S class, BMW 5 and I had to downsize a few years ago. It is easily the best car I’ve ever driven. I would highly recommend them. I’ve one that 10 years old and it still a fantastic car to drive and unbelievably reliable

As always a treat to watch your latest up load. A wide range of differing cars too.

Would love to see you review a 335d or 435d

I like how you get your forecourt cars serviced at main dealers. Shows you really care about the product you're selling, respect! :)

I’ve has numerous ones as courtesy cars, they are nice cars but getting back in my IS-F after service makes you realise how unsporty they are. You are always welcome to review my IS-F when all this is over.

I've got this one. Its not very fast, nor very engaging. But it does gets you around without any BS.

Sounds like my Transit Van when I put my foot down.

I have a 12 year old IS250 very smooth ride but yet not very excited but reliability is amazing, I haven’t repaired anything yet on the car apart from wear & tear brake disc/pads. Not even replace a lightbulb yet, I’m still waiting for something to go wrong so it can give me a reason to get a new car and Lexus dealership is the best in the business and has best customer service awards for it several time.

Even though it's an older style.. it still really stands out. Lexus absolutely nailed this one, timeless.

Best auto channel on RU-vid by a country mile. Keep these videos coming!

Im a huge Lexus fan. I agree the IS isnt the most exciting of the Lexus fleet, but you get Diesel fuel economy but without the EGR/DPF/Swirl flaps issues of a diesel.

Hmmm my new taxi !!! Theres a thought. Great vid Matt Mick

Every time I see a car like this I just think...chipping....suspension kit..sports exhaust. Worth it on this second hand as the car will last forever

Very food honest review.

Perfect, right now considering buying this car and the information you gave is very valuable. Will be looking to see if you have it for sale too.

For anyone in the UK. I am planning to buy this car and I wandering if the ventilated seats are worth it?

A lovely car for people with no interest in driving is what I'm hearing. Keep it up Matt. And stay safe.

OMG this video is soooo practical. I am quite impressive with the review. Must subscribe this channel!

4yrs not one problem on mine average 50mpg the best car I've ever had ,now for the es300 hope it lives up to the IS300h

With the lockdown and no filming likely in the immediate future, could you do an answers to automotive questions video. Looking forward to more of your videos post Covid.

Have to say, you've got some amazing, beautiful, countryside round your way.

Try a Kia hybrid, has a normal automatic gearbox also very reliable plus the upper trim levels give you close to the Lexus experience. Added advantage more affordable then Lexus.

I wish I could have gotten one of these this year, but budget wouldn't stretch. Ended up in a PriusC/Aqua. Which I Love, but the IS300H is more "me" haha

Great video, IS is a nice car and the only one in class (I believe) that gives you cooled seats and heated steering wheel :)

I love a Lexus..The 300 is about the right size.Well built and nice and quiet.

The plexus has been very good at insulating from the start, the ride has always been quite and smooth... I think that's their selling point! A feel of luxury in a smaller more compact car. Great review mate! 🤘🏼

I test drove a 2014 Lexus IS300h today after test driving a 2016 Mazda 6 Sport Nav, 2017 Mazda 3 Sport nav & 2015 Honda Civic sport... I turned one corner (out of the dealership) and fell in love with this... needless to say I'm preparing to buy it or a similar one next week.

First! You are great! I enjoy your videos a lot! Keep them coming!

Good vid! Got a 17 reg Lexus Is300h. Best car i have owned and definitely the most RELIABLE!! Would never touch another German brand car again! Oh the range rover is nice to drive BUT isnt it one of the least reliable cars around. Think remember reading somewhere its nearer bottom of table for reliability... For me lexus 4ever!

It's a shame Lexus didn't sell the 350 in Europe. The previous generation had really good 2 and 3 liter straight 6 engines...

I love these cars the only thing that stops me from buying it is the lame performance

I love everything about your reviews!!!

Another great & entertaining review - well done

Enjoyed. Thank you. Hope all is well. Cheers

The CVT gearbox is what makes it so quiet at low speed and gives it that slick feel between the electric and petrol engine...the price you pay for that is the kickdown and loud noise when you try and push it along quickly....personally I'd take that compromise as I don't drive my cars for rapid acceleration and thrill a minute driving...my issue with he Lexus is the interiors, not a huge fan of the styling and too many cheap plastics...wouldn't rule out having one though...

Lexus IS 300H steals the show with good reliability and excellent running costs.

Watching this with oak island on in the background

Very good review. No nonsense. Thank you.

Hi there, 2016 lexus pre facelift is 300h would you know up to what speed can it be driven on electric alone before the engine kicks in again on the motorway? Thanks

What a pity you folks in the UK don’t get the 350’s. Really powerful with 233kw(300+bhp). All of my 350’s could do 5.6 sec 0-62mph at 1 mile above sea level.

Thumbs up for the fresh trim

I empathise with your comments on the CV transmission - I have an Avensis estate which would be the perfect car for my needs if it weren't for the CVT. Every time I accelerate it sounds as if the engine is trying to wind up a particularly tough elastic band - somebody told me it was. Nonetheless, that Lexus looks like a really nice car.

I worked with Lexus as an independent supplier for a number of years and I totally agree with you about the service. I especially liked the people at the Stockport branch as well. Probably a different set of people now but obviously well trained in how to provide a good customer experience.

Make sure you get the mark levenson audio upgrade too 👍

It sounds like "it's begging you to stop" because of the engine's atkinson running. It is economical compared to more common engines, but the downside is it runs on high revs.

Love your jokes mate. I enjoy all your videos.