It’s a car that’s happiest in loafing mode

Is it a case of second time lucky for Lexus and its foray into convertibles? Let’s hope so. The aging SC430 may’ve been more popular here than in other markets in the world, but let’s just say it didn’t float our boat. Mainly because it had the characteristics of a boat, giving you a generous dollop of comfort and little in the way of dynamism.

The IS300C makes a rather better first impression than the SC. The clean and sharp lines of the IS have been retained at the front but the rear has got a bit of a work-over, reducing the IS’s rump. It’s where that retractable roof is stored in 20 seconds, in what is the quickest metal hardtop on the market. Maybe so, but that doesn’t make up for its lack of propulsion.

In a car weighing an extra 180kg over the saloon, that same 228bhp V6 works harder, accelerating this IS-C to 100kph in 0.3sec longer than IS. Not a huge margin, but it feels more portly. It doesn’t sound too pretty doing it, either, but at least all the power is delivered in a linear Lexus fashion, coupled with the refinement of an LS: there’s hardly any wind or tyre noise when the roof is up.

Practicality makes up a large part of the appeal. The convertible is the same width as the saloon, has the same wheelbase and is slightly longer. Yet it’s a useable four-seater (as opposed to the pricier 325i Cabrio) with easy access to the rear thanks to the 30cm-longer doors, 10-way adjustable front seats, noticeably bigger boot even with the roof down and just enough headroom in the back to not call it cramped. Not to mention that it’s better equipped than its rivals too, with radar cruise control, a 12-speaker Mark Levinson hi-fi, rear camera and seat cooling all included in the $ 55,800 of the Luxury spec. Shame it doesn’t offer as much in the way of handling. The IS-C is Lexus’s opportunity to sex up its brand and appeal to a younger demographic, but while the convertible undoubtedly capitalises on the IS’s huge success, it doesn’t have the substance to match.

There’s stiffer suspension all round and high tensile cross bracing is used in the underfloor to increase structural rigidity, but still, it doesn’t inspire you to push on. It pitches quite heavily and scuttle-shake is noticeable when the roof is down. As for the steering, it’s too light for anyone who enjoys driving as much as they do cruising, for which, coincidentally, the IS convertible is aimed at.

The end result is a car that’s happiest in loafing mode, driven at a maximum of six tenths. Above that you get understeer, and the stability control system clamping down on the slightest hint of the car loosing its footing (even with traction control turned off). You get the feeling the IS300C is never quite up for it.

Seems that Lexus is again doing what it’s best known for: undercutting its rivals in price while increasing the number of standard features. In this case though, if an equally-spec’d 3-Series convertible seems out of budget, it might be worth considering sacrificing some of the options in favour of a car with a bit more of an edge.