2008 Lexus IS Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$30,555 to $56,000

Original MSRP

7.3
of 10

expert review

4.6

avg user rating

(25 reviews)
7.3
out of 10
expert review
Look & feel
9/10
Technology
8/10
Performance
7/10
Safety
6/10
Form & function
8/10
Cost-effectiveness
6/10
2008 Lexus IS Test Drive Review summaryImage

A compact sport sedan with a large helping of quality.

The second-generation Lexus IS debuted for 2006. While not as overtly sporty as its predecessor, this IS now has the comfort and refinement shoppers expect from a Lexus. But just when you think Lexus is going to sleep, it pulls a fast one. New for 2008 is the IS F, an absolutely wild sport sedan with a massive V8 engine.
9/10

The IS stands out from the average Audi thanks to small details. Take the rear door cutline, which reaches over and around the rear window instead of pointing straight up. The car's nose is tapered and the hood slopes aggressively, yet the rear is short and square. On the side, perhaps in the wrong color, you might mistake an IS for a pricier Toyota Corolla. It's not as low or sleek as its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis would suggest.

But once inside, you'll realize none of that matters. Attractive colors, especially the matte silver on the center stack, make the IS look more high-end than the competition. Even the rear seatbacks are more sculpted than they ought to be in an entry-level luxury car, replete with a few pleats for that tailored style. The leather and wood trim are rich, and what's not leather or wood is mostly soft, padded, and fitted with the same exacting care as the flagship LS sedan. A few more details impress, like the instrument panel gauges with thin numbers aligned to each hash mark, like an expensive wristwatch. Even the hand pulls and speaker grilles on the front doors intersect as the headlights and grille do on the outside of the car. Not many cars in this price category feel this upscale.

The IS F is a subtle but meaningful upgrade in the best tradition of German rivals like BMW M and Mercedes AMG. Everything inflates in size—the wheels, air intakes, and the quad exhaust tips, stacked at either end—without revealing the true muscle underneath.

Clifford Atiyeh
Published May 25, 2021 by Clifford Atiyeh
Clifford Atiyeh is a contributing editor at CarGurus who writes, hosts, and co-directs video reviews of the latest vehicles. He has reported and photographed for dozens of websites, magazines, and newspapers over a nearly 20-year journalism career, including The Boston Globe, Car and Driver, and Road & Track. He is president of the New England Motor Press Association and runs a creative marketing consultancy.

User reviews for 2008 Lexus IS

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User rating:
by DJ W
Jun 27, 2022
I love it. It’s quick, efficient, good looking, reliable Jun 27, 2022
by Orlando L
Jul 06, 2021
Great car. Drives nice, excellent features and options. Looking for more power under the hood. Jul 06, 2021
by Edwin M
Feb 13, 2021
Lexus ISF is very fun car , and is one the best car when is coming to reliable.Feb 13, 2021

2008 Lexus IS Pricing

Original MSRP
$30,555 to $56,000
Price range
$9,111 to $9,953
Average price on CG
$9,379
YoY price change
$9,791 to $9,379

Trims & specs

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 300 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brake width: 0.39 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: power rear window · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power folding

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: one-touch open/close

Safety

Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather · Ventilated: front

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Stability and Traction

Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation

Tires

Profile: 45 · Type: all season · Width: 225

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 300 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brake width: 0.39 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: power rear window · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Xenon · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power folding

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: one-touch open/close

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: perforated · Ventilated: front

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Stability and Traction

Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Profile: 45 · Type: all season · Width: 225

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · In-Dash Single CD/DVD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 300 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: alloy · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: power rear window · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: remote operation

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: perforated · Ventilated: front

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Stability and Traction

Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Profile: 45 · Type: summer performance · Width: 225

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy

Wheels

Width: 8.5

Wheels - Front Size if Different

Width: 8 inch

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc CD/DVD in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 13

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brake width: 1.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder

Lights

Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: one-touch open/close

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front and rear

Seatbelts

Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Stability and Traction

Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

See all trims (4)