The 2014 Lexus IS 350C. |
2014 Lexus IS 350C. |
Michael said as much, in his review of the C last summer, declaring it a quantum leap from Lexus' previous retractable, the SC430, a car that was in contention for Top Gear's "Worst Car In The World". The IS 350C will never end up on that list. It is competent and ultimately endearing.
The base price has risen a modest $200 between 2013 and 2014, to $46,990, which brings a wealth of standard equipment, including a 3.5-liter V6 with 306 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, perforated leather trim, 10-way power-adjustable driver and passenger front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, an 8-speaker premium audio system and more.
The powertrain is a rather economical one, all things considered, returning 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway, according to EPA estimates.
2014 Lexus IS 350C interior. |
Another $875 brought high-intensity headlamps with LED running lights, $3,520 upgraded the audio system to a 12-speaker Mark Levinson surround unit with navigation, backup camera and the Lexus Enform app suite.
$500 more for intuitive parking assist with front and rear sensors, and $100 for headlamp washers brought the total as-tested price---with $910 delivery, processing and handling fee---to $55,445.
The IS 350C has none of the float and flex that plagued the SC430 and, for that matter, many other convertibles. The retractable hardtop makes it as wind, water and sound-proof as any coupe when the top is up.
Lexus' slogan is "The relentless pursuit of perfection", and the IS 350C proves that they are pursuing it in open-air motoring at last.