1993 Lexus Es300 Base Sedan 4-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

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2021 Lexus IS First Drive | A model remodel

The Lexus IS has now been with us for more than two decades. First introduced in 1999, it celebrated its 21st birthday this year and, to mark the occasion, Lexus hit the compact sedan with a significant overhaul, including a revamped powertrain lineup, an updated interior, and a much-needed tech update in an attempt to keep the sporty four-door relevant in a market that craves crossovers and SUVs. So, first things first: The 2021 Lexus IS is not actually new. In fact, Lexus still refers to it as a third-generation car internally, despite the “redesign” and repositioning for 2021, which is ultimately more about the products elsewhere in the Lexus lineup, rather than the IS itself. WeÂ’ll come back to that. Unveiled in June, the 2021 IS model range has been pared down to just two models, the IS 300 and IS 350 F-Sport. The highlight of the standard equipment sheet is an 8-inch touchscreen that's nearly 5.5 inches closer to the driver than the outgoing modelÂ’s. A 10.3-inch touchscreen is available as an upgrade, and perhaps most notably, the IS is finally available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration suites. Despite the common name and number, however, the IS 300 is in fact offered with two very different engines depending on how many wheels are driven. Power for the rear-wheel-drive IS 300 comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, which develops 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It's bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With the IS 300 AWD (pictured below), all-wheel drive is paired with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 good for 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, and a six-speed automatic transmission. Nothing confusing about that, is there? 2021_Lexus_IS_300_AWD_Blue_004 View 9 Photos Thankfully, things are a bit more normal with the IS 350 F Sport. Its high-output V6 is alive and well, with its naturally aspirated displacement of 3.5 liters and an output of 311 horses and 280 pound-feet of twist. It's the same engine regardless of drivetrain, though rear-wheel drive is still tied to the eight-speed automatic while all-wheel drive gets the six-speed. The quickest variant is the RWD model, which will crack off a run to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The AWD variant is intended to be an all-weather option, not a performance enhancer. The observant reader will note that we keep referring to the IS 350 F Sport, rather than simply the IS 350.

Best places to get your car maintained and repaired

In this era of rampant inflation and high interest rates, the challenges of acquiring a car or SUV have been well documented. And so it has never been more important to protect that expensive investment by maintaining it. In recent months, Autoblog has shared Consumer Reports' evaluation of the least and most expensive car brands to keep running, as well as tips to prolong a car’s useful life. Especially since the pandemic, a number of factors have impacted these costs: more complex vehicles, new materials and manufacturing methods, a shortage of qualified technicians and replacement parts. Since 2022, repairs costs have jumped each year by about 10 percent. This month, Consumer Reports is offering a useful primer on keeping your ride in great shape, suggesting what might be the best options for searching out a repair shop, depending, as CR says, “on your car and your situation.” Author Ben Preston identifies three basic types of repair facilities: dealership service departments, independently owned repair shops, and chain repair shops. Building up trust with a specific shop and feeling comfortable going there is important. Preston quotes John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at Consumer ReportsÂ’ Auto Test Center: "You might be able to save a few bucks by going to whichever shop offers the cheapest prices, but if you want consistent, reliable service, itÂ’s best to find a repair shop you trust and stick with it,” Ibbotson says. The story goes on to evaluate each type of service facility. HereÂ’s a breakdown of CRÂ’s findings: Dealerships These work well for owners of newer cars, especially for covered warranty work. But the disadvantage is the high labor rates common to dealer service. Satisfaction ratings for dealer service departments range from very good (Acura, Lexus, Mazda, and Volvo) to not-so-good (Jeep and Kia). Dealers are best for: Fixing infotainment system glitches: "If the screen in the center of your dash has a habit of freezing up, or the touchscreen-activated climate controls arenÂ’t working, the dealership is the most likely place to find someone with the know-how to fix problems that maybe only a factory-authorized technician can access," Ibbotson says. Safety system recalibration: "Anything from a crack in your windshield to a minor fender dent can upset the calibration of the sensors that make features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control work," says Ibbotson.

2022 Lexus RX Review | Smooth, quiet and well-built for mass appeal

The 2022 Lexus RX has been a long-running and well-liked premium crossover. Currently in its fourth generation, the design has gotten considerably more avant-garde in its styling, though we’ve now had plenty of time to accustom ourselves to design cues like the "spindle grille" (an aesthetic shared across the Lexus lineup). While it may not be the newest, flashiest or most powerful midsize crossover on the market, it has broad appeal thanks to its standard V6 and optional hybrid powertrains, two- or three-row formats, attractive interior, comfortable ride and reliable Toyota underpinnings. ItÂ’s not superlative in any way compared to the competition, but it strikes a fine balance that will make it the right crossover for a wide range of customers. Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive   |   Pricing & Features   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2022? While there are no significant changes for the 2022 model year, the RX does offer new paint colors, and now offers fog lights as a standalone option on any trim. What are the RXÂ’s interior and in-car technology like? The RX interior is a fine place to spend time. With excellent interior design, high-quality materials and attention to detail, youÂ’ll never forget that this is a premium vehicle. The cabin isnÂ’t just stylish, attractive and comfortable; itÂ’s also clearly well-built with good fit and finish, sturdy touchpoints, soft plastics, smooth faux leather and textures that are pleasing to both the eye and the fingertip. If youÂ’ve had nightmares about weird infotainment interfaces of Lexuses, including bizarre joysticks and frustrating touchpads, you can sleep well knowing the RX began using an actual touchscreen for the 2020 model year. We like the higher-end 12.3-inch units (part of the Navigation Package) more than the standard 8-inch screen, as itÂ’s simply easier to use, and can put more information on display. If you had already gotten used to LexusÂ’ kooky interfaces, youÂ’re in luck — thereÂ’s still a touchpad down below you can use. You can also use voice recognition if you want to keep your hands on the wheel. The RX also provides Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Alexa compatibility as standard. A head-up display and wireless phone charger are available as options. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.