2012 Lexus IS 250 C

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Rating7.0
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$41,190 - $42,360
Starting Price 
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Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Soft suspension is responsible for a comfortable ride

Tight back seats

Updated exterior color choices

Relatively generous cargo room for the class

Lackluster acceleration

Thrifty fuel economy with automatic transmission

Cargo space and rear visibility are affected when the top is down

Specs & Features

$41,190

price

204 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

185 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

2.5L 6cyl RWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Lexus IS 250 C Convertible is a compact convertible offered in a single trim with a base MSRP of $41,190. For that price, it mainly competes with the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Convertible, the Audi A5 Convertible, and the BMW 3 Series 328i Convertible. The IS 250 C offers only one powertrain. It is a 2.5L V6 making 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. However, there is a choice between a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 6-speed manual transmission. The IS 250 C reaches 60 mph from zero in 8.4 seconds on its base engine. Depending on the transmission, the IS 250 C can manage a combined fuel economy between 22 and 25 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 7 striking colors the IS 250 C comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

We are advocating for the Luxury Package which includes heated and ventilated power front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Bi-Xenon HID headlights and more. Don’t forget the optional intuitive parking assist either.

Trims

    Base
    $41,190 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Heated mirrors
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Power Convertible top
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite

Compare to similar cars

Price

$41,190- $42,360

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7

Horsepower

204 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

185 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$46,640

Gasoline

7.37

306 hp @ 6400 rpm

277 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

4

Read Review

$48,100- $65,200

Gasoline

8.07

255 hp @ 6400 rpm

214 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

2

Read Review

$40,450- $44,050

Gasoline

7.82

227 hp @ 5000 rpm

236 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

4

Read Review

2012 Lexus IS 250 C vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8 sec14.2 sec134 mph
    5.2 sec--
    5.9 sec14.2 sec152 mph
    6.4 sec--

    2012 Lexus IS 250 C vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      19 mpg28 mpg22 mpg17.1 gal.326.8/481.6 mi.
      19 mpg27 mpg22 mpg17.1 gal.326.8/464.4 mi.
      20 mpg27 mpg22 mpg16.9 gal.321.1/456.3 mi.
      18 mpg28 mpg21 mpg15.9 gal.286.2/445.2 mi.

      2012 Lexus IS 250 C vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        182.5 in.70.9 in.55.7 in.5.7 in.107.5 in.
        182.5 in.70.9 in.55.7 in.5.7 in.107.5 in.
        181.7 in.72.3 in.55.1 in.5.5 in.103.9 in.
        172.1 in.70.9 in.50.9 in.5 in.95.1 in.

        2012 Lexus IS 250 C vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          10.8 cu.ft.87.9 cu.ft.10.8 cu.ft.
          12.8 cu.ft.84 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.
          5.3 cu.ft.88.5 cu.ft.9.9 cu.ft.
          10.8 cu.ft.87.9 cu.ft.10.8 cu.ft.

          2012 Lexus IS 250 C vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            10.8 cu.ft.10.8 cu.ft.10.8 cu.ft.
            10.8 cu.ft.10.8 cu.ft.10.8 cu.ft.
            11.6 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.9.9 cu.ft.
            12.8 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.

            2012 Lexus IS 250 C vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              --3836 lbs.
              2000 lbs.-3837 lbs.
              -661 lbs.2943 lbs.
              --3880 lbs.

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              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 8 sec

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