Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
A premium saloon rated five stars by Euro NCAP (IS 300h version, 2013). Owner feedback reports few breakdowns, mainly issues with the 12-volt battery and a few water pump cases. The boot (around 450 litres in the IS 300h) is a little small compared with the competition: the service history should be checked.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €16,500 – €27,990
- Monthly cost
- €456
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: IS 300h.
IS 300h
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 223 hp · 4.3 L/100 km · 104 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Non-plug-in hybrid: 2.5-litre petrol producing 181 hp combined with an electric motor, 223 hp system power, e-CVT transmission.
IS 200t
Petrol · Automatic · 245 hp · 7.0 L/100 km · 162 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
2.0-litre turbo petrol producing 245 hp and 350 Nm, 8-speed automatic gearbox, which replaced the IS 250; 7.0 l/100 km and 162 g/km quoted with 17-inch wheels.
Market prices
€16,500 – €27,990
Indicative range: 2013 to 2018, all mileages, asking prices of online listings (private sellers and dealers, Europe).
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Faulty 12-volt battery
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingSeveral IS 300h owners report 12-volt batteries replaced repeatedly, or a hybrid system that fails to start because of low voltage; one case involves a parasitic current measured by the dealership.
- Versions
- IS 300h
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Water pump leak or failure
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingIS 300h owners report a faulty water pump (bearing leak on a 2014 car; failure at 148,000 km and 10 years on a 2013 car, not covered by Lexus). These are isolated reports rather than a widespread defect.
- Versions
- IS 300h
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Lexus IS”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €106 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €102 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €222 |
| Total per month | €456 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€106
IS 300h version: combined consumption of 4.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
4.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €106
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€102
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€222
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Lexus IS III (XE30) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check the complete service history, ideally at a Lexus dealership or with a hybrid specialist.
- Inspect the cooling circuit: traces of coolant around the water pump, coolant level.
- Ask for the condition of the 12-volt battery (age, date of last replacement) and test a cold start of the hybrid system.
- Run a hybrid battery health check if possible.
- Check with the Lexus network, using the serial number, that the recalls have been carried out.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the 12-volt battery already been replaced, and at what mileage?
- Have the water pump or the cooling circuit been replaced or repaired?
- Has the servicing been done at a Lexus dealership, with invoices to back it up?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
BMW Série 3
VII (G20/G21) · since 2019
- Price
- €17,000 – €40,000
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Guillaume Vachey, CC0
Toyota Camry
VIII · 2019–2024
- Price
- €26,500 – €32,730
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 508
II · since 2018
- Price
- €14,990 – €31,990
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Passat
B8 · 2014–2023
- Price
- €10,000 – €24,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Lexus IS III (XE30) (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating for the Lexus IS?
The IS 300h earned five stars from Euro NCAP in 2013 (91% adult occupant, 85% child occupant, 80% pedestrian, 66% safety assist). This assessment predates the more demanding protocols introduced from 2014.
What is the boot capacity of the Lexus IS 300h?
Around 450 litres according to Driving Electric, roughly thirty litres less than its German rivals, because of the hybrid battery under the floor.
What is the real-world fuel consumption of the IS 300h?
User figures published on Spritmonitor, quoted by Fiches-auto, range from about 5.7 to 7.4 l/100 km depending on use.
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