EXCLUSIVE! Agents Catch NEW 2014 Lexus IS On The Road For The FIRST Time! Does It Have Street Cred NOW?

EXCLUSIVE! Agents Catch NEW 2014 Lexus IS On The Road For The FIRST Time! Does It Have Street Cred NOW?
One of the more intriguing vehicles to make its debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show was the 2014 Lexus IS. With the IS needing a makeover for quite some time, this 2014 overhaul is meant to bring it into shape with the rest of the Lexus lineup.

And when the curtain dropped in Detroit, I have to say I was a bit shocked. I was also less than impressed. Though we joked about the new Nike "swoosh" headlight treatment, it does sort of really look like that. Then there was the interior, which was ROASTED by commenters for appearing a decade too late.

But today things got a bit more interesting. That's because Agent 001 snapped all-new shots of the new 2014 IS hanging out at what appears to be one of Lexus' SoCal vehicle development/processing centers. This is the FIRST time anyone's seen the car outside of the auto show and if you've been following AutoSpies for quite some time, by now you'd know how profoundly different cars can look ON THE ROAD.

Remember when we FIRST saw the Evoque completely uncovered and on the road? It looked killer.

Now we turn to you to weigh in on the new 2014 Lexus IS. Now that you can see TWO examples roaming the streets, what say YOU?

Does it have "street cred" now?


SPIED: 2014 Lexus IS Photographed On Road
































































USNA1999USNA1999 - 1/25/2013 7:34:06 PM
0 Boost
I think it looks pretty ggod.


USNA1999USNA1999 - 1/25/2013 7:36:39 PM
+1 Boost
What is up with spoiler on the IS-F? Fast and the Furious? LoL!


Agent00RAgent00R - 1/25/2013 8:13:19 PM
+2 Boost
Appears to be a development car with a rear wing similar to the LFA Nurburgring.


Dr550Dr550 - 1/25/2013 7:37:03 PM
+5 Boost
Front grille is too large. Reminds me of the alien's mouth from the Predator movie.


richard112360richard112360 - 1/25/2013 7:44:56 PM
+3 Boost
HIDEOUS!!!!! They've completely destroyed what was once the best looking car in the Lexus line.


Agent00RAgent00R - 1/25/2013 8:15:07 PM
0 Boost
I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of this car at all when I saw its Detroit Auto Show debut. Now though it looks MUCH better in the flesh.

However, I do see a couple of problems.

1) The wheels look far too small. 17s?
2) Holy wheel gap Batman!
3) Why are the doorhandles + scallops so damn big?


MorePowerMorePower - 1/25/2013 9:58:56 PM
0 Boost
I doubt you know what "street cred" means.

One does not gain "street cred" from simply being photographed behind a Chevy Malibu on a rain slickened Southern California street.

The rear question is what is under the hood of the IS-F with the bolted on spoiler?


trmckintrmckin - 1/26/2013 12:01:17 AM
+2 Boost
As someone stated on the first IS thread... looks are subjective. I'm not a Mercedes fan by any means but I can think of at least 5 models that look better than this latest IS. Wheels are too small, rear 1/3 looks like a $200 ricer body kit. Grille looks like bad dream and the separate nike swoosh ripoff LED's are just completely odd in placement and design. Not to mention the odd length of the front end to fit the hybrid model. I think this front end design will make the acura beak look like a supermodel in comparison. On a bright note, I do like the interior shots on the other article but outside of that, I think Lexus will struggle to move this one compared to the last version. A little bored by their powertrain offerings and how their F models don't offer any sort of engine upgrade over the other models. This will never compete with German offerings until they get with the program.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2013 4:54:02 PM
-1 Boost
hahahahaha! beautiful?! what, exactly, is beautiful about this thing?


USNA1999USNA1999 - 1/26/2013 7:15:02 AM
0 Boost
JapanEngineeringNo1 indeed you are very naive to make such a statement, I can see you have never travel outside this country. LEXUS is a US phenomenon slowly expanding around the world. Very few of the cars are sold as Lexus around the world. Travel to South America, even in Japan they are sold as Toyotas. The brand is not recognizable in any of these countries but they all know what a three pointed silver star is.


Ab311Ab311 - 1/26/2013 1:29:14 PM
+3 Boost
And yet your icon is the cadillac logo. :-)


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2013 4:55:05 PM
0 Boost
definitely. that's why they sell for a PREMIUM price over mercedes and bmw. because rich people will pay for the best.


chewychewy - 1/26/2013 12:58:37 AM
+3 Boost
Definitely some improvement but still not sure about this thing.


cidflekkencidflekken - 1/26/2013 1:31:15 AM
+5 Boost
Looks even more garish in the real world. You know, where cars aren't driven by cartoon characters. It irritates me just looking at it. I'm sure it'll drive well.


mplsmpls - 1/26/2013 5:45:03 AM
-1 Boost
Looks nice.
Seen a new white GS and that looks very nice.. and this car has even better proprtions,
I think if you put the number plate on the front it'll complete the look as it breaks the up the top of the grille from the bottom.

The LED is not a copy of Nike, as the lexus is an arrow, much more straight lines, the nike logo is like a curved tick... trmckin is blind!

I do agree the wheels are an inch too small, I'm sure 18inches would be available..


trmckintrmckin - 1/27/2013 4:58:10 PM
0 Boost
No, i'm not blind. Of course there are small differences if you look at it close enough but the fact remains that it resembles one of the most recognizable symbols in today's culture. In other words... it's a rip off. No it isn't an exact likeness but it's close enough to think that for a good portion of people that look at the car. While I do agree that many of the german sedans are boring at times, they rely on performance and not gimmicks to sell their vehicles. Cadillac seems to get it as well with the performance line as well. If Lexus ever wants to really compete, they need to offer different powertrain options instead of over styled exterior with no guts which is what we have here as well as in the LS, GS, and ES. Firming up the suspension and adjusting shift points in sport mode might impress some but there is no getting around the fact that the engines are gutless.. Sorry... On a brighter note, I feel like going for a run after looking at these pics again ;)


USNA1999USNA1999 - 1/26/2013 7:27:17 AM
-1 Boost
Anyone heading to the Rolex 24 hours? We have a pretty big group driving their rides down from Jacksonville at 1pm.


PUGPROUDPUGPROUD - 1/26/2013 7:46:21 AM
+1 Boost
The answer to the question is not in these pictures, its in how well does it drive compared to its competition. Is it fast ? Does it handle ? Does it communicate with the driver thru their hands and but ? Does the driver feel like they are controlling the car, not the car controlling them ? Does the driving experience stir passion in the driver ? Does the car instill confidence in the driver or not ? Are all of the car's functions well integrated with each other to enhance the driving experience ? Does the driver feel the car is an extension of themselves ? And last and likely most important...In a head to head test against a comparable BMW, Audi, and Mercedes which car do you want to drive home in ?


2ndbimmer2ndbimmer - 1/26/2013 10:38:21 AM
0 Boost
A front end that makes a statement and a rear end that is so bland. I thought it was a carolla from the rear and the front end makes it look front end heavy, just like its driving dynamics will be.
That IS-F looks brutal with that wing. IS-F is a joke, I know, I have tracked it.
The rear end also looks like an acura TSX. Just so wrong on all levels.


dlindlin - 1/26/2013 11:39:38 AM
+1 Boost
Rear end is the weakness.


Ab311Ab311 - 1/26/2013 1:24:23 PM
+4 Boost
Overstyled and gaudy


AgentOrangeAgentOrange - 1/26/2013 3:57:16 PM
+1 Boost
Where do you stick the front license plate?


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 1/26/2013 7:33:04 PM
+1 Boost
Better color than white. It looks slightly better in the real world as opposed to a studio setting.


trmckintrmckin - 1/27/2013 10:28:53 PM
+1 Boost
the trail edition 4 runner is sweet. neighbor has one that he's slowly customizing. Not a fan of the cloth seats but it's a nice SUV and very capable. Good luck finding one. Took him several months.


JUGNUJUGNU - 1/27/2013 9:38:07 AM
+2 Boost
Looks different, very sharp and stylish to me. Nowadays all cars just have L-shape head lights and tail lights. Busy sides with very heavy crease lines..etc.
Lexus tried something different and i like that original styling. Interior is very nice as well.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2013 4:52:36 PM
-1 Boost
totally overwrought much like the mercedes CLS. almost looks aftermarket (like that old IS next to it with the wing, lol). nike LEDs are bizarre, rear end is saggy looking from the side view. the swoopy side is weird. and the grill...oh boy.

separately, why is a 2014 already being seen on the street in jan 2013. they're getting ridiculous with how early they launch model years.


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 1/28/2013 6:21:07 PM
+1 Boost
The MB CLS is one of the best looking cars out there. I also happen to appreciate complex-looking headlights.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 1/29/2013 12:08:43 PM
+1 Boost
the first gen CLS was a design tour-de-force. the new one, nope. wrecked. audi A7 and bmw gran coupe are FAR more elegant and cohensive designs. just park them next to each other and you'll see.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 1/29/2013 12:08:44 PM
+1 Boost
the first gen CLS was a design tour-de-force. the new one, nope. wrecked. audi A7 and bmw gran coupe are FAR more elegant and cohensive designs. just park them next to each other and you'll see.


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 1/28/2013 3:52:17 AM
+2 Boost
No need to be facetious or witty; simply put, it's hideous. I didnt think they could possibly do worse than the butchering they did to the gs, but they proved me terribly wrong.


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