Used 2012 Lexus IS C Coupe Review & Ratings

Lexus has admitted to have been faced with challenges with its sales during the recent years, but said that they hoped to recover with the release of their latest luxury sport sedan, the Lexus IS C Coupe. What is most impressive about this vehicle is that it is not a coupe at all, but rather a retractable hard-top convertible, which is something you don't see these days. It was also rated highly with environmental enthusiasts as it offers low emissions. It was proven to be 50 percent cleaner than other average cars.

The 2012 Lexus IS C Coupe is powered by a 2.5-liter V6 engine that produces 204 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but a six-speed automatic is optional. Unfortunately, those who get excited over the control offered by a manual transmission are disappointed as there is nothing really fun about shifting this vehicle. The automatic is the best option in this case. It accelerates zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds and returns decent gas mileage at 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

As far as safety is concerned, the IS C Coupe is equipped with all the great features that Lexus is known for, such as child seat anchors, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assist, engine immobilizer, dusk sensing headlamps, turn signal mirrors, stability and traction control and tire pressure monitoring. It also takes safety a little further by adding on pop up rollover bars and side airbags, which are hard to find in a convertible. A pre-collision safety system is also available, which is capable of retracting front seatbelts, activating braking assist and popping up the rollover bars if a potential collision is detected.

The 2012 Lexus IS C Coupe is not without its flaws though. Sure, the styling is gorgeous and the interior is beautifully laid out, but like a typical convertible, you should not expect adults to find themselves comfortable in the rear seat. It is extremely cramped and really only suited for a short drive for adults or to use with children. The trunk is surprisingly roomy and golfer friendly, however when the top is retracted, you lost almost all of your trunk space because that bulky hard top takes up too much space. At least the top does keep the cabin virtually silent when up, and that is rare for a convertible.