2010 Lexus IS C

Unlike the BMW 3 Series convertible -- or its major competitor, the Infiniti G37 convertible (*Est. $43,850 to $43,900) -- the Lexus IS C isn't as sporty as it looks, critics say. Handling is secure, but most testers say that's about all. Lexus reinforced the IS convertible's chassis to make up for the lack of a rigid roof, but it still suffers from more cowl shake than several reviewers say they'd expect from a Lexus.

Meanwhile, critics say the convertible's beefed-up body feels heavy, and some say the base engine -- a 204-horsepower, 2.5-liter, V-6 found in the Lexus IS 250 C (*Est. $38,490 to $39,660) -- strains under the weight. Several experts recommend stepping up to the Lexus IS 350 C (*Est. $43,940) and its 306-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. A pile of pricey F-Sport options intrigue some reviewers, from better brakes, sport shocks and a sway bar to cosmetic touches like alloy wheels and a carbon-fiber engine cover. However, pile them all on and you could practically buy a BMW M3 hardtop convertible (*Est. $66,500), a true sports car that "could drive circles around this pimped 350 C," says David Undercoffler of the Los Angeles Times.

Some experts recommend sticking with the cheaper, more fuel-efficient base model. It's "quick enough to satisfy most buyers," says Joe Wiesenfelder at Cars.com. Undercoffler agrees: "Nearly every buyer of the 250 C won't give a hoot about strained engines or shaking chassis."  

That's because the Lexus IS C isn't about carving up the road, reviews say -- it's about cruising in the style you'll usually find on convertibles costing thousands more. For example, the IS C's stereo system and climate control automatically adjust to top-up or top-down conditions, and leather seats and satellite radio come standard.

You'll get similar fuel economy with either the standard six-speed manual transmission in the Lexus IS 250 C (18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined) or the more powerful IS 350 C, offered only with a six-speed auto with paddle shifters (18 mpg city, 25 mpg  highway and 20 mpg combined). For the best gas mileage, pick the IS 250 C with the automatic transmission (21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined).

No crash-test data was available for the Lexus IS C convertible as of this update, but the sedan on which it is based gets generally good crash ratings. The sedan also has a good reliability history, as does the entire Lexus brand. The Lexus IS C carries a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and six-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Several sources provide well illustrated, test-based reviews of the Lexus IS C, including Motor Trend, Autoblog.com, Jalopnik.com, the Los Angeles Times and Cars.com. These diverse sources come to very similar conclusions about this new convertible. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency posts fuel-economy estimates for the Lexus IS C on the FuelEconomy.gov website. Although neither the federal government nor the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had crash-tested the new Lexus IS C when we checked, both have crash-tested the sedan on which it is based. J.D. Power and Associates has reliability ratings for the Lexus IS sedan model only.