Long-term update: 2012 Lexus IS 300C tech review
The Lexus IS sedan first debuted in its current iteration back in 2006, and has changed little since then. So when the Lexus IS 300C convertible debuted for 2010, it got saddled with tech that was already half-a-decade old. That’s not to say it is bad in any way. In fact, we prefer it more than the new gimmicky gadgets in newly-designed luxury cars.
First off, the multimedia system uses a good old touchscreen. Sure, it is a resistive screen so you have to press the screen a bit firmer than on your iPhone, but it is quick, it is intuitive, and it gets the job done. The advent of little joysticks and rotary dials to control car screens is daft. Just press the “Audio” button and select the station to change the channel. No fiddling needed.
It is easy to select points on the navigation screen, because you can just point at it with your finger. This one even shows where you’ve been, so you can find your way back.
With a touchscreen, it is much easier to type in a destination. With more “modern” systems in newer cars, you have to scroll and select letters on a keyboard with a joystick one at a time!
It might be an old system, but the Bluetooth paired with our brand new Android phone just fine. We’ve had issues with systems in some other cars.
There’s also a screen-full of reminders to change this or that fluid, but you have to set your own timetable for each, as there is no automated detection system to tell you your brake fluid or radiator coolant is old. Still, useful if you bother with it.
The screen also acts as a viewer for the rear camera. It is handy for parking as the rear visibility sucks on this convertible, but there are no guiding lines like you’d get on a new Toyota Camry.
So the IS 300’s computer system shows its age, but we believe it is better than many new systems in useability, including the ones that Lexus and BMW are sticking into their newest models.
Original Mileage When Borrowed: 4,640 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 8,600 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 10.2 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 0Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Borrowed: Dhs 0
Comments
Shibu Daniel
Proof that Mash is getting old.
Btw, does the bluetooth work with the iPhone ??
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Don’t know. Do iPhones usually have issues?
Shibu Daniel
Not that I know of. The reason I asked is that you said that the system is dated at 2006 while the first iPhone came out at 2007.
Rahul Jones
So is the engine oil and oil filter icon in red showing it needs replacement?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Don’t remember. I didn’t fiddle with this screen much as I wasn’t going to have the car long.