2009 Initial Quality: Premium Cars

Entry Premium Vehicle Segment


Highest Ranked: 2009 Lexus IS
Topping the entry premium vehicle class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS) is the Lexus IS. The compact 4-door sedan resides in a hotly contested segment. Nevertheless, the rear-wheel-drive IS counters the competition with a choice of two 6-cylinder powerplants and, in the Lexus IS F, a high-performance 8-cylinder model that is designed to run head-to-head against top performance rivals including the BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V, and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. The standard engine in the IS 250 is a 2.5-liter V-6. The IS 350 offers a more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 306 horsepower. The range-topping IS F boasts a 5.0-liter V-8 engine with 416 horsepower—enough motivation to shoot it past 60 mph in just over 4 seconds, according to Lexus. As is expected when a vehicle is wearing a Lexus badge, all IS sedans deliver a generous amount of luxury to match their long list of standard features.

According to owners of the 2009 Lexus IS, the top five problem areas are:

• Heater doesn’t get hot enough fast enough
• Hands-free communication system does not recognize a command
• Materials that scuff/soil easily
• Cupholders are difficult to use
• Excessive brake dust

Learn More About the 2009 Lexus IS
See 2009 Lexus IS Pictures
View 2009 Lexus IS Ratings
View a Photo Gallery of the Most Problem-Free Cars
Browse Other Lexus Models


Ranked No. 2 (tie): 2009 Cadillac CTS
Ranked No. 2 (tie): 2009 Infiniti G-Series