Lexus IS Convertible and RX450h pricing announced

The latest Lexus RX 450h, which was revealed at the LA Auto Show last year and previewed at a first drive event early this year, has finally received a price tag.

Together with the RX 450h, the latest IS Convertible has likewise received a sticker price, and both begin in the neighborhood of $40,000, with the RX at $41,660 and the $5,000 less for its non-hybrid brother. It is still an open question whether this price difference reflect value considering the small difference in fuel efficiency, but certainly the 350 does not have the green image that the 450h projects. The price tag for an AWD variant for the RX 450h begins at $43,250. On the other hand, the IS Convertible begins at a more appealing $38,490 for the IS 250C, with the six-speed auto transmission getting a $39,660 tag and the more powerful IS 350C getting $43,940.
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HSCenterconsole - 4/24/2009 2:49:46 PM

+5 Boost

I saw the IS convertible at the NY Auto Show. In person, its rear end isn't as ungainly as it is in pictures. However, the design is still awkward at best when viewed from the rear. I still don't get who would want one over the more sporty G37 or 3-Series convertibles, but to each their own.

As for the new RX, from the front it reminds me of one of the armored vehicles from the Judge Dredd movie.

Agent63 - 4/27/2009 7:20:35 AM

+1 Boost

I would definitely take the G37 Cab over the IS-C. I trust Nissan's assurance on how to make a decent coupe. Toyota's last decent sports car was the Supra (one of my fav. of all time) but Lexus has yet to do anything exciting. Even with their LF-A out they haven't targeted the real market, which is the entry level class, so that brings up a question in my mind. Why try to be a company you're not? Lexus needs a midrange coupe first. In any case, I'll stick to my R8 over the LF-A anyday, sorry fans, the interior of it is so well made I feel proud to own one.

B7FAN - 4/24/2009 4:22:15 PM

+1 Boost

I AGREE

PerformanceGuy - 4/24/2009 4:57:20 PM

+3 Boost

Something about the IS just doesn't seem right. I think the G37 and 3 series will probably continue to dominate this market.

Anthony - 4/24/2009 6:48:00 PM

+1 Boost

It is not always about better alternatives for Lexus buyers. Someone will buy the IS convertible simply because it is a Lexus convertible. And personally, the G37 coupe isn't all that attractive. Too many "bubbly" design cues.

lexus2010 - 4/25/2009 1:36:12 PM

-3 Boost

The IS250c is going to change the convertable market. Wait and see, there will be alot less BMW and Mercedes convertables when people see how much they get for there money. Dont get me started on dependability. Lexus kills them all. There is no arguement. Its been proven many times over. Its about time there is a good "Luxury" convertable. Germans know how to build tanks, Lexus knows luxury.

trungdq - 4/24/2009 8:19:01 PM

-1 Boost

But the reality: BMW 3 series always outsells the IS. So who needs reliability?

camrydriver - 4/25/2009 1:42:08 PM

+3 Boost

as much as I would love to jump in and squawk about toyota's reliability compared to bmw, the fact is that bmw has great reliability. when you take into account that bmw drivers drive more aggressively on average and that bmw's reliability ratings are within a micrometer of toyota/lexus, reliability cannot honestly be used to differentiate the two companies.

LexSucks - 4/27/2009 12:04:49 PM

+2 Boost

"Quality, reliability, better interior, value and style always win in the end. The days of the 3 series are numbered now that the IS250C and IS350C are coming."

-Better interior complete with Toyota Corolla Power-Window switches.

trungdq - 4/24/2009 10:00:56 PM

+3 Boost

The latest data showed the 3 Series sold better than the IS and ES combined!

Type707 - 4/25/2009 3:07:39 AM

+6 Boost

I dont dig the convertible. Sorry.

lexus2010 - 4/25/2009 2:52:21 PM

-1 Boost

The reason the BMW 3 sells more is because its cheap. BMW has triple the amount of dealers. Lexus does not sell cheap cars with no options. BMW sells cars without heated seats and manual seats, Lexus does not, those come on all of their vehicles. BMW has free maintance because they will be there alot. Face it Lexus makes a better car.

BMW4me4ever - 4/25/2009 3:53:05 PM

+2 Boost

psst. BMW sells cars because they are cheap? huh . The whole idea behind the option list for a BMW is the ability of getting what you want. The only arguement lexus has is the " reliability ". They do not drive better. What lexus is fun to drive, that you will drive the long route on the way home, cause your car is so much fun to drive? None. I love my BMW's. I love driving my cars. Finding some backroad and pushing my car to the limits, finding a twisty road and feeling the car be as one with me. There is not a Lexus on the market that provides anything near that sensation.

The IS250 conv, really compares to the 1-series conv. They are about the same in interior dimensions.

STJ88 - 4/25/2009 4:38:27 PM

+1 Boost

The IS sedan is a realy good looking sedan how could they screw the CC this much up.

LexSucks - 4/27/2009 2:12:41 PM

+1 Boost

I'd love to see the performance numbers for the IS250 Convertible?

magicmtndan - 5/2/2009 1:16:47 PM

+1 Boost

Of course BMW 3-series sells more: BMW has far more 3-series models than Lexus has IS models.

Most people in the US don't want a driver's car which is what the BMW 3-series is. They want quality, reliability, dependability, great interior and great value. These are very different cars and most Americans want what Lexus offers.

lexus2010 - 5/9/2009 11:44:15 AM

+1 Boost

I used to own only BMW. They are a building cheaper and cheaper in quality. Thats why I dont buy them anymore. I have owned the 3 5 and 7. They suck now. If you want to talk about a car maybe you should expierence a lexus. Nothing like giving an opinion about something you havent tryed. The ISc hasnt come out yet, so how would you know how it drives? People who want a toy buy a BMW. People who want a quality automobile that turns heads and has everything they want buy a Lexus. When you buy a BMW you use the loaner more than the car you bought. Thats why they get so many lease returns with no miles on them. Maybee its because BMW drivers treat there cars like crap and Lexus drivers keep them perfect. Its a diffrent class of people that buy lexus(the best). Not bottom of the food chain like BMW.