New Car Review of the 2005 Lexus IS Compact Sports Sedan

Description: Compact Sports Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $29,735 - $31,105
Invoice Price Range: $26,165 - $27,372
Where built: Japan

With oversized wheels pegged at the corners and a contoured body marked by flat side panels and the stubby prow and tail that leave scant space for overhangs, the IS 300 compact-class sports sedan looks like a high-strung rally car and acts like a road-hugging German touring sedan.

The straight-six engine, producing 215-hp, whines a high-revving tune played through five speeds on the automatic transmission or optional manual 5-speed. With the automatic there are toggles on the steering wheel that enable an aggressive driver to shift up and down sans clutch with only a flick of the thumb and without removing hands from the wheel..

A five-door hatchback wagon edition expands the series under the name of SportCross. It carries the same equipment as the sedan with the automatic transmission, yet has the rear liftgate and cargo bay plus a rear seatback that splits and folds to make more room for sports gear like a mountain bike..

All versions reveal bold contemporary styling for the cockpit in a theme of bright silver and black interior accents with drilled aluminum pedals and stainless steel scuff plates studded with rubber on doorsills..