Is the 2007 Lexus IS 250 fast?
The 2007 Lexus IS 250 is not a sports car, but it offers respectable everyday speed for a luxury sedan of its era. It accelerates smoothly and reliably without delivering the high-octane punch of its sportier siblings. In short, it’s quick enough for daily driving, but not what most enthusiasts would call fast.
Performance snapshot
Powertrain and numbers
For the 2007 IS 250, Lexus deployed a 2.5-liter V6 engine producing about 204 horsepower and roughly 185 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that includes a manual shift mode for more engaged driving sensations when desired. In typical US-spec form, the IS 250 delivers a 0-60 mph time in the neighborhood of 8.0 seconds, with a top speed around 130 mph (electronically limited). Fuel economy sits in the low 20s in city driving and high 20s to around 30 mpg on the highway, depending on conditions and drivetrain configuration. Curb weight generally falls near 3,400 pounds, contributing to a composed but not ultrafast performance envelope.
These figures reflect a balance the model aimed for: refined on-road manners, quiet highway cruising, and respectable, if not blistering, acceleration. In real-world driving, the IS 250 feels more about smooth, confident progress than jaw-dropping speed.
Comparative context
To gauge how fast the IS 250 is relative to its peers from the same era, it helps to look at its rivals and how they prioritized performance. The following points offer a quick sense of where the IS 250 stood in the market of the late 2000s luxury sport sedans.
Peers and how the IS 250 stacks up
- BMW 3-Series (models like the 325i/330i): Generally quicker and more driver-focused, with sharper handling and stronger acceleration, but often at a higher price and with a firmer ride.
- Infiniti G35 sedan: Typically offered more horsepower and torque with strong acceleration, appealing to buyers seeking a sportier-edge feeling.
- Audi A4 (V6 variants) or Acura TL: Comparable luxury compact sedans, often delivering balanced performance with different emphasis—Audi leaning toward a refined handling feel, Acura toward a roomy interior and real-world speed.
Compared with these rivals, the 2007 IS 250 emphasizes refinement, reliability, and comfortable cruising over outright speed. It delivers adequate straight-line pace and confident highway merging, but it isn’t the quickest or most dynamic car in its class.
Summary
Overall, the 2007 Lexus IS 250 is a solid choice for buyers who value refinement, build quality, and a smooth, quiet ride over raw speed. Its powertrain is capable and predictable, but it trails more performance-oriented peers in straight-line speed and sporty handling. If speed is a priority, consider the IS 350 or competing rivals from the period; if you prize a mature, comfortable luxury sedan with Lexus reliability, the IS 250 remains a compelling option.
