Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
18 -21 City / 26 -29 HWY
Horsepower
204
Seats
5
Front angle medium view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Cris H
Great car, would get another one.
I love my Lexus is250. It is white with camel leather interior. The seats heat up and cool off. It is good on gas and has a lot of pep. The only major problem I have had with it was water pump replacement. Other than that it has just been basic routine service and things replaced from wear and tear. The truck is a perfect size and holds a lot. The car is baller, and sportier, but still has decent room in the back for passengers.
accountCircle Ryan H
It gets pretty good gas mileage on the freeway
It gets really good gas mileage. While it is getting older now, it still looks pretty stylish for It's age. It has enough space for a car seat and trunk space for a stroller
accountCircle andrea m
The brand is the best I can think of a luxury car indeed
Great quality and reliability outstanding customer service very comfortable to drive
accountCircle Marvin D
Very safe car when driving with all the safety features
Like how it is keyless. Like the gps. Like the back up camera. Like the size of the car.
accountCircle andrea C
Great performance and comfortable driving
Great craftsmanship, luxury and modern outstanding performance
accountCircle Rachel L
Attractive, sporty, and reliable car!
Great car! A sporty car that has a smooth ride. A sports car in luxury. I still get compliments from various people on the attractiveness of the car. I have bought this car twice, same model just a newer year! I couldn't ask for a better vehicle to own.
accountCircle Hayley G
The Lexus is250 is an amazing car and a great purchase.
I own the Lexus is 250. It is an amazing car. It is reliable and has never left me stranded. It is fast and can get up to 160 mph. It is comfortable and has heated and cooling seats. It has a great sound system and for a small car is roomie. The problems I have had with my car is the tire pressure seems to get low a lot of the time. Since it is AWD you have to change all 4 tires when changing one. Overall a great car and purchase.
accountCircle Ray K
2009 Lexus IS 250 4 door Sedan
I haven't had any issues with my Lexus IS250. The key to long life on any vehicle is regular maintenance which I typically do myself; occasionally I will take it to the dealer for tires and major maintenance; timing belt, safety recalls etc.. I'm very happy with how things look and are holding up on the inside; I have the gray vented leather seats which are a bit cumbersome to keep clean, but Lexus make a great cleaner for it.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Troy
Not happy
Every since day one that I purchased this car been A waste of money. The rear wheel drive manual it's not a good selection for Canadian driving.

Lexus IS Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
4dr Sport Sdn Man RWD
204 HP 21 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr Sport Sdn Auto RWD
204 HP 24 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr Sport Sdn Auto AWD
204 HP 22 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2009 Lexus IS Owner Reviews

4.70
23 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 83%
4 stars 13%
3 stars 0%
2 stars 0%
1 star 4%
accountCircle Kami Pugh on January 5, 2021
Performance
Absolutely! I'm at 200,000 miles & this car still runs like a dream!
accountCircle Angela A on January 5, 2021
I love my Lexus is-250! Comfortable and reliable!
I love my Lexus is-250. It is almost 10 years old but is still running great with regular maintenance and upkeep. Very reliable car and comfortable.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Maria M.

Vehicle is very Reliable. Have had no breakdowns and no mechanical issues since I purchased it. The ride is great and I like how the outside noise is blocked. The Lexus service department is easy to work with and provide excellent service.

likeFilled Jenn F.

It is really fast and responsive. It is relatively fuel-efficient for the level of engine performance. The heated and air conditioned seats are a great feature. The headlights adjust direction which is helpful when driving at night and taking corners. The design of the body is timeless and still looks really aggressive.

likeFilled Melinda M.

Pros: AWD so it drives great in snow, electric windows and seat warmers, Bose speakers for radio, sunroof, and leather interior. Cons: airbag recall, inability to modify for better speed, trunk visible when drink tray down.

likeFilled Lauren W.

Quite, rides smooth, wood trim, shine to paint, heated seats, leather seats,GPS screen, reverse camera, Bluetooth calling, aux multiple stations to be set, roomy back seats, 4 wheel drive, v6 engine high gas mileage.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Maria M.

The car is somewhat small and uncomfortable. The gas mileage is not great. Not much room in the trunk. The battery runs out too quickly. I have had to replace the battery every year pretty much. Leg room is not comfort.

dislikeFilled Jenn F.

The cons of the vehicle are the offset tires size, which equates to very expensive trips to the tire shop since you have to replace at least a pair (front or back, or all). There have been at least three recalls. Also, being an older vehicle it does not have Bluetooth audio, and the backup camera is outdated.

dislikeFilled Melinda M.

Electric windows, AWD so great in snow, Bose speakers, paddle shift available, sunroof. Phone six and USB charge port available in console. Fun to drive. Gorgeous in appearance. Leather interior with airbags throughout.

dislikeFilled Lauren W.

More expensive parts for replacement, key fob replacement is expensive, no Bluetooth music, no sensor sounds to warn user of upcoming objects when reversing, tire sensors need replacing relatively quickly. The change collector does not have a section for it to be organized.

Ranks #4 Luxury Small Cars by Owners

The 2009 Lexus IS has an average owner rating of 4.70 out of 5 which ranks it #4 of 17 other Luxury Small Cars.

1
car
4.78
2
car
4.75
3
car
4.71
4
car
4.7

Ranks #4 Luxury Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2009 Lexus IS has a combined MPG of 30 which ranks it #4 of 17 other Luxury Small Cars.

1
car
36 MPG
2
Tie
car
31 MPG
4
car
29 MPG

Is The 2009 Lexus IS A Good Car?

Yes very good, reliable but high maintenance, very high mechanical costs, especially after ten year period.
Maria B.
Yes I love my car very much, rides smooth. It is cute and sporty small but useful. It is reliable, great on gas. Easy to get around, easy to park. All around wonderful car.
Jaime C.

How Reliable Is The 2009 Lexus IS?

Its reliable till it gets to be older model. Very high maintenance fees to keep up with car maintenance.
Maria B.
I have not experience and problems with the car thus far. I have had it for 6 years and it has been very reliable.
Jaime C.

Is The 2009 Lexus IS A Good Value?

Around $12,000 in good condition with low mileage. Since its a luxury brand car, expect to pay more to keep up with car maintenance.
Maria B.
I brought it for 21,000 dollars and I felt as though that was a fair value. I feel like I got my monies worth.
Jaime C.

Related Articles for 2009 Lexus IS

From the Vehicle History blog

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2008 Lexus IS Review: An Excellent Used Luxury Compact, but not Worth $10,000
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2007 Lexus IS Review: If Any 2007 Sedan is Worth $10,000, the Lexus IS is

Frequently Asked Questions

Why IS my 2009 Lexus is250 check system light on?

Answer: If You're driving and You suddenly see the Check System Light come on on Your 2009 Lexus IS 250 and You don't know what it means, You probably want to know what it means. What that light means is that You need...

How do i reset the 2009 Lexus is250 tpms?

Answer: To reset the 2009 Lexus IS250's tire pressure warning light, park the vehicle on a flat surface and using a gauge, check the wheels are inflated to a PSI of 35 for the front and 38 for the rear tires. Wait...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety