Interior
Considering the Lexus IS is a brand new 2014 model, we expected it to be a step up in quality and innovation from the S4, which was updated last year after launching in 2008. This is both true and yet debatable. I found the design striking, the two-tier dash, signature industrial-chic vents, centrepiece analog clock and rising centre console clean yet modern and functional. The seats, while looking plain compared to the S4’s two-tone leather sport seats, were actually more comfortable and more supportive, and the matching perforated leather and bronze plastic trim on the steering wheel and shifter were subtle and unique. The steering wheel, inspired by the LFA, is a looker, but can’t quite match Audi’s divine flat-bottomed wheel in feel and functionality.
Surprisingly, the quality of the materials in the IS still seemed a generation behind the S4’s deep, plush plastic, genuine metal and carbon-fibre trim and thick, deep leather. However, the design is starting to look dated even if familiarity has bred an intuitive understanding of the MMI and navigation interface. Lexus’s system was a fairly basic knob and screen, with no navigation, so it was very straightforward, and I far preferred it to my experiences with Lexus’s mouse-like haptic controller in the GS350.
    2014 Lexus IS 350. Click image to enlarge |
The gauges on the Audi are a classic two-binnacle setup, big analog tach on the left, big analog speedo on the right with Audi’s traditional grey-faced S-line gauges, plus a customizable digital display that can house anything from music or phone info to speed and fuel consumption. The Lexus features a cool, central digitally reproduced dial-tach with large visible speedo displayed in numerals, and ancillary info flanking. With the press of a button on the steering wheel, that central gauge slides to the right to reveal a typical multi-information display panel with fuel consumption, music and vehicle information. Another neat party trick in the Lexus is that the outer ring of the digital tach turns white in Sport and Sport+ modes, and the inner edge of it glows an angry red as you wind the engine up. So again, Lexus is modern and a bit gimmicky, and the Audi traditional and a bit old-fashioned.
Functionally, the S4 is a larger car, with more trunk space (352 L to 306), and both have split-folding rear seats, but the Audi adds a ski pass-through (part of their rear comfort package).
    Comparison Test: 2013 Audi S4. Click image to enlarge |
While the specs say the Audi has superior legroom in back, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way when sitting back there or installing a child seat. Both have similarly raised, uncomfortable centre seats, but Audi’s child-seat anchors are more widely spaced, allowing more room for a third passenger to squeeze in the middle.
Overall, despite the improvements in interior space, comfort and technology in the IS 350, the materials and features of the S4 are notably better without giving up much ground in space and comfort.
