New R & R36 Competitor hits the market

[Leagle]

Before I bought my Passat CC v6 (same engine as R36), I seriously looked at quite a few cars including the BMW 335i/135i (too exxy/too small) and is250 convertible (nice but gutless). I liked the idea of a convertible if I could buy a decent performing one for less than $100k (Eos too small) and would have bought the is350c if it was out in Australia. However I still prefer the Passat CC to the is350 sedan for two main reasons: 1. The Passat has a better and classier interior and 2. the CC looks vastly better than the boxy shaped Lexus. Given that claimed 0-100 performance is near identical (mid 5s) - the Lexus has slightly more power but the VW has faster transmission - I otherwise agree they are close competition. If the is350c comes out however..... Of course what I would really like to see is a Passat CC convertible.

[Manaz]

So, the IS350, a 233kw/378NM 3.5V6 (more power and torque than a R36 from a smaller engine) in RWD and 0-100 in 5.6s is actually performance wise a very good thing ... and anybody with $65K to spend on a R36/Golf R should be looking at it as well.

Different market segments - Golf R is a premium hatch. Passat is a mid-sized sedan/wagon. IS is a small sedan, it wouldn't be much bigger than a Jetta...

[WABIT]

As it was put by Robert De Niro put it. Lexus? Whats that like a Toyota?

quality post, most productive one yet!

[Mountainman]

Different market segments - Golf R is a premium hatch. Passat is a mid-sized sedan/wagon. IS is a small sedan, it wouldn't be much bigger than a Jetta...

I think you will find that the IS250/350 is at least the size of a Passat externally but with less legroom in the back. My sister has an IS250 and my brother has a Jetta and when they are parked together the Lexus is in a different class size. And even my brother admits it is a better drive with a classier interior and refinement.

[shakespeare]

Some dimensions, the IS is closer in size to a Jetta or 3 series, though for the money I'd prefer the CC or an R36 Lexus just does not do it for me, looks prestigous, is quite good looking but not my type

Cars are IS350; Passat CC; Jetta; 335i 4 dr

[R34]

I looked at the IS250 and it was well made,nice and worked well but then so does my fridge.
No real excitement for me. Gutless (fixed with IS350) but the room (or lack of) is woefull.
Ended up buying a R36 and am happy