arentz07

These days, it's all about the low-end torque. The 2GR-FKS is a great engine - responsive, revs nicely, and has good top-end. However, mid-range torque is nowhere near as abundant as your average German sedan with a turbocharged I-4. Driving it back-to-back with our 330i made that fact apparent to me on a regular basis. It also didn't help that the IS 350 was ~200 pounds heavier. However, I will say, it still felt really strong when I actually got the chance to rev it out.

I also now have the IS 500, which has a lot more torque in the midrange and only weighs about 100 pounds more than an IS 350. It feels strong at all RPMs (while still retaining that peaky nature of an NA engine), which is what people expect nowadays from their luxury sedans. The added urgency makes it more drivable around town and more exciting to rev out. Even if the turbo engines are objectively superior, all it takes is one good pull in a good NA-powered sporty vehicle to understand why they're still sought-after.

MRM4

If anyone can compare, how does the current IS350 compare to an Infiniti Q50? Both are about the same size. I have the Q50 with the 3.7 which has more pep than the current 3.0T. I mainly drive around town to work and back and on highways.

BBQapple

Havent been in one in a long time, but based on photos the interior of the IS is definitely smaller and also the interior design is a lot less plush and glitzy. The IS is a lot more simple inside, down to business.

Wife and I have a 23 ES300h and a 23 IS350 and the cars couldn’t be more different in the whole user experience. Which I like.

the more I drive the IS350 the more I like it but it sure doesn’t look like a fifty grand car inside or out. But I’ll tell you I’m over 50 and have had a lot of cars, and in two months driving the IS a few times a week I’ve never had as many compliments from strangers and I’ve owned various cars that were more expensive. Even a 150k plus Panamera owner at a car wash was jealous of the interior which surprised me. It’s a beautiful car up close (ours is cloudburst gray with red interior). Walking up to this thing and firing it up is a joy every time. My wife refuses to drive anything else since we got it.

itsbhard to explain but the overall balance and feel of the IS350 along with the good looks is a pretty special combination.

arentz07

The Q50 with the 3.0T is quicker than an IS 350, for sure. I know the horsepower number is lower, but the torque is great in that engine. The Q50 is a lazier overall driving experience, however. The steering isn't as sharp, and it rides really softly.

(I had one as a rental for just one day, but enough time to get to grips with it.)

Honestly, the Q50 seems like it'd be the better car if you just commute or use it for highway journeys. But, the Lexus does almost as well in those areas as well while bringing reliability and better handling. Depends on what you want, but I think the IS is the overall better vehicle.

MRM4

I guess I better go drive one just to compare the two. I do like the looks of the new IS.

MRM4

I think it's funny people saying the IS350 is underpowered, but look at small SUV like a BMW X1, Mazda CX-5 turbo, or a Acrua RDX and people say how fast those are when the IS has more power and is faster.

kj07xk

Those people are probably driving their first car, and yeah, they are faster than the bicycle they were riding previously.