Lexus IS · XE20
Generation 2 2005–2013
The IS that made Lexus credible in the compact executive class: rear-wheel drive, a cabin that outlasts its German contemporaries and, with the IS 250, a sweet naturally aspirated V6. The diesel IS 220d is the trap, Toyota's 2.2 D-4D was troublesome and only came with a manual gearbox. The IS 250C folding hard-top and the 423 hp IS F are the interesting rarities.
Photo: Dinkun Chen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Recognition
How to tell it apart
- •Arrow-shaped headlamps and a narrow, pre-spindle grille; facelift cars have LED running lights and reshaped bumpers
- •IS 250C: two-door with a three-piece folding hard-top and a taller rear deck
- •IS F: stacked quad exhaust tips, bulged bonnet, wider front wings and 19-inch forged wheels
2010 facelift (MY2011)
- New bumpers and lights, LED daytime running lights; F Sport trim introduced
- IS 220d replaced by the detuned IS 200d (150 hp) for lower emissions
- Retuned suspension and steering; interior trim and audio updates
Engines
Engines
IS 220d (2.2 D-4D) · 177 hp
2005–2010
Diesel · Manual · RWD
The one Lexus to avoid: manual only, a notchy gearbox, and an engine with a record of head gasket failures, injector problems, DPF clogging and oil consumption. Cheap for a reason.
IS 200d (2.2 D-4D) · 150 hp
2010–2012
Diesel · Manual · RWD
Detuned facelift version of the same diesel. Later engines were improved, but the weaknesses are the same family; treat it as a budget car with a full history or not at all.
IS 250 (2.5 V6) · 208 hp
2005–2013
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · RWD
The engine to have: a silky V6 with a 6-speed automatic (rare manuals exist). Thirsty in town, but durable if the carbon build-up and valve-spring history are in order. Also powers the IS 250C convertible.
IS F (5.0 V8) · 423 hp
2008–2013
Petrol · Automatic · RWD
Lexus's first F model: a Yamaha-tuned 5.0 V8, 8-speed automatic, Brembo brakes and a Torsen differential from 2010. Very rare in Poland and surprisingly robust; a future classic.
| Engine | For sale now | Years | Gearbox · drive | Sought after | Robust | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IS 220d (2.2 D-4D) · 177 hp Diesel · IS 220d · 2AD-FHV | 44 | 2005–2010 | Manual RWD | The one Lexus to avoid: manual only, a notchy gearbox, and an engine with a record of head gasket failures, injector problems, DPF clogging and oil consumption. Cheap for a reason. | ||
IS 200d (2.2 D-4D) · 150 hp Diesel · IS 200d · 2AD-FHV | 2 | 2010–2012 | Manual RWD | Detuned facelift version of the same diesel. Later engines were improved, but the weaknesses are the same family; treat it as a budget car with a full history or not at all. | ||
IS 250 (2.5 V6) · 208 hp Petrol · IS 250 / IS 250C · 4GR-FSE | 37 | 2005–2013 | Manual / Automatic RWD | The engine to have: a silky V6 with a 6-speed automatic (rare manuals exist). Thirsty in town, but durable if the carbon build-up and valve-spring history are in order. Also powers the IS 250C convertible. | ||
IS F (5.0 V8) · 423 hp Petrol · IS F · 2UR-GSE | 6 | 2008–2013 | Automatic RWD | Lexus's first F model: a Yamaha-tuned 5.0 V8, 8-speed automatic, Brembo brakes and a Torsen differential from 2010. Very rare in Poland and surprisingly robust; a future classic. |
Versions
What the badges mean
Elegance / SE
commonbase
2005–2013
Entry trim with cloth or leather, dual-zone climate, 16–17-inch wheels; halogen lights on early cars.
Prestige / SE-L
commonequipment line
2005–2013
High trim: leather, electric memory seats, xenon lights, navigation with reversing camera, often Mark Levinson.
Sport / F Sport
uncommonequipment line
2007–2013
Sport (pre-facelift) and F Sport (2010 on): 18-inch wheels, firmer suspension, sports seats and dark trim. Styling and chassis only.
Watch out: F Sport is often confused with the IS F; the IS F has a 5.0 V8 and quad stacked tailpipes, the F Sport has the standard engines.
IS 250C (convertible)
rarespecial edition
2009–2013
Folding hard-top two-door on the IS 250 drivetrain; heavier and softer, but a rare and well-built four-seat convertible.
IS F
very rareperformance model
2008–2013
423 hp V8, 8-speed Sport Direct Shift, Brembo brakes, wider body and bespoke suspension.
Watch out: Not to be confused with F Sport trim; the VIN and the V8 settle it.
Options
Options that matter
rare
Mark Levinson Premium Surround
The top audio; rare on XE20 and a marker of a fully specced Prestige/SE-L car.
rare
Ventilated front seats
Rare in Europe; a genuine top-spec marker.
uncommon
Electric sunroof
Uncommon option.
uncommon
Navigation with reversing camera
DVD navigation of its era; useful mostly for the camera and the bigger screen.
rare
Radar cruise control with Pre-Crash
Rare option on IS 250; a sign of a maxed-out order.
common
Bi-xenon headlights with AFS
Halogen on base cars; xenon with cornering function on higher trims.
common
Leather upholstery
Standard on higher trims; base cars have cloth.
common
Heated front seats
Common; usually paired with leather.
common
Smart entry and start
Standard on most; absent on some base cars.
common
18-inch wheels
Sport / F Sport item; visual only.
Before you buy
What to know
Strengths
- +Build quality and interior durability well ahead of its age; rust is rare
- +IS 250 V6 and its automatic are durable when the known items are addressed
- +Cheap entry into a rear-wheel-drive premium car; parts are Toyota-priced
Expensive when they fail
2.2 D-4D head gasket and injectorsNavigation unitMark Levinson amplifierIS F brakes
Polish market
Cheap and plentiful, but the mix is unfavourable: the diesel IS 220d was Poland's best seller and now makes up most of the sub-25k supply, while IS 250 cars, the ones worth buying, are fewer and often imported. IS 250C convertibles and the IS F are rare and priced as collector cars.
Known weak points
- serious2.2 D-4D diesel (IS 220d / 200d)Head gasket failures, injector and injector-seal faults, DPF clogging on short trips, EGR fouling, oil consumption, and dual-mass flywheel plus clutch wear. Any one of these can exceed the value of a cheap car.Check: Check coolant for oil contamination and pressurisation, look for white smoke and coolant loss, ask for DPF and injector history, feel for clutch judder.
- moderateIntake carbon deposits and valve springs (IS 250)Direct-injection carbon build-up causes rough cold idle and misfires. Early 4GR-FSE engines were also covered by a valve spring recall; most were done, but not all.Check: Cold-start the car and watch idle; ask whether intake cleaning and the valve spring recall were completed.
- noteSticky or cracking dashboardSome 2006–2009 cars suffer from a dashboard top that goes tacky or shiny in heat. Cosmetic but expensive to replace properly.Check: Look at the dashboard top in photos taken in daylight; run a finger over it.
- moderateInner rear tyre wear and suspension bushingsThe rear geometry eats the inside edge of rear tyres; worn arms and bushings make it worse. Front lower arm ball joints also wear.Check: Inspect the inside edges of the rear tyres and ask for a recent alignment; listen for knocks.
- moderateWater pump and cooling (V6)The V6 water pump weeps with age; coolant loss without visible leaks is the sign.Check: Look for pink crust around the water pump and check the coolant level history.
- noteAge-related electrics and trimSteering-wheel buttons, window regulators and the navigation DVD unit are the typical age items; nothing structural.Check: Test every switch; ask whether the navigation still reads its disc.
- noteIS F consumablesBrembo discs and pads, 19-inch tyres and the rear differential are the money items; tuned or tracked cars exist.Check: Ask for brake condition and a history of track use or tuning.
From the market
Real cars on sale right now
From the market
Engines actually on sale
Grouped from 94 live listings: what people are selling, at what price and mileage.
| Engine | Share | Typical price | Median mileage | Gearbox · drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2.2 Diesel · 177 hp 220 D Prestige | 44% | 16 900 PLN | 233 000 km | Manual / Automatic · RWD / FWD |
2.5 Petrol · 208 hp 250 Luxury Line | 38% | 35 900 PLN | 230 615 km | Automatic / Manual · RWD |
5.0 Petrol · 423 hp F | 6% | 130 000 PLN | 197 000 km | Automatic · RWD |
3.5 Petrol · 306 hp 350 | 3% | 55 000 PLN | 193 642 km | Automatic · RWD |
2.2 Diesel · 150 hp 200d Luxury Line | 2% | 21 800 PLN | 389 512 km | Manual · RWD |
From the market
Price by model year
Typical price and mileage for each model year on sale.
From the market
Most common versions
- 220 D Prestige7
- 250 Luxury Line6
- 220 D Elegance5
- 250 Elegance5
- 250 Prestige3
- 220d2
- 250 Sport2
- 3502
From the market
Equipment seen most often
Radio 93%Two-zone climate control 93%Heated driver seat 93%Heated passenger seat 93%Rear armrest 93%Leather steering wheel 93%Electric front windows 93%Electric rear windows 93%Cruise control 93%Electric door mirrors 93%Heated door mirrors 93%Traction control 93%Fog lights 93%ABS 93%
Our picks
Versions worth looking for
IS 250 automatic with full history (2009–2013)
The durable V6 and a smooth automatic in the facelift body; avoid the diesel entirely.
IS F
A 423 hp naturally aspirated V8 saloon with Lexus reliability; buy on history and originality.