2003 Lexus IS 300 Overview

2003 Lexus IS 300 Overview

Overall User Score

4.7⁄5

Based on 17 reviews

The IS 300 returned for its third year as the entry-level offering from Lexus. The IS was akin to both the GS and ES series - to the ES in affordability and to the GS in mission. Inside and out the IS was designed as a sports sedan, but it was available at about half the price of the GS 430. Some new wheel designs were available for 2003, but  the IS was otherwise unchanged.  
The IS 300 was powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine. It provided the 3,200-pound sedan with 215 horsepower and 218 pound-feet of torque. The IS was fast, but it could not perform quite like the GS. Its 0 to 60 time was about two seconds slower at 7.5 seconds, despite fuel economy being just a touch better (19/25 mpg). What the IS could offer was a 5-speed manual transmission and a more road-responsive suspension. These were two attributes that many GS drivers had wished for.
With the entire GS series, Lexus had attempted to walk a fine line between sport and luxury. With the IS, the focus was clearly on sport. While it would be difficult to argue that the IS was a better car or even a better value, the entry-level sedan did offer a suspension and transmission that the GS did not. Lexus had added some amenities to the interior, but many owners suggested that the IS cabin was not quite up to par with other Lexus models.