Lexus IS250 2008 review: road test

Well, of course they can. More than this number is wrong every 12 months. Otherwise there would be no ancient Daewoo Kalos disguised as a Holden Barina.

But we’re talking here of the 10,000 who since late 2005 have looked hard at the previously German-owned compact prestige sedan segment, thought a bit, ruminated some, then gone “bugger it” and bought a Lexus IS 250 – the updated version of which Carsguide is the first to drive.

Although competition has only become tougher since ’05 – the latest entry-level C-Class Merc is no longer a try-hard’s car and Audi’s new A4 is finally a worthy contender – the baby Lexus remains our choice.

As to BMW’s 320i, well, we might live in nation of nanny state speed limits but we’d like at least the theoretical ability to get 100km/h before another birthday comes around. The 320d (diesel) slays its petrol sibling, but then there’s those perennial 3 Series grievances – a cabin that’s about as welcoming as the ride on runflat tyres is comfortable and looks that are not winsome but wince-inducing.

Not that the Lexus retains this title by default. Equally it isn’t necessarily outstanding in any one or two respects. Rather it remains the best all round package with incomparably the best level of standard kit in any iteration.

Available now, the upgraded IS line-up has new front and rear bumper styling, a lower intake design and chrome grille surround. More functionally, those big side mirrors (rear three quarter vision is this captivatingly shaped car’s downfall) include indicator signals, new tail lights and a redesigned under-body to improve air flow beneath the car. Sports Luxury models – such as the one we drove – cop a new set of 17s and further colour choices of Molten Copper (sounds a bit naff) and Arctic Blue (which looks right nice). Within the centre instrument stack and switchgear have been revised for what Lexus says – and indeed - is increased usability. Rear vision is helped out a whole lot with foldable headrests in back when the back two places (and the IS really is a four-seater) are unoccupied. It’s still tight in there though, as it is upfront if you go for the headspace eating sunroof. Most importantly, VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management entails stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control and steering) is standard in all IS 250 models. It cannot be entirely deactivated and boos of the purists aside, this is as it should be for most that set sail in her.

Both manual and automatic transmissions have been upgraded and while we can’t speak to the former – a manual IS is seldom seen – the tweaks to the auto are appreciable and welcome. A common criticism of the previous model was that the gearstick had to be slotted into sport mode before the shifting paddles could be engaged. Now there’s temporary manual override in Drive, with full auto mode resumed by holding the upshift paddle for second or two.

Downshift times have been almost halved to 0.8 seconds, a response that given that the IS has never had bags of twist down low, makes a quick gear grab a useful facility. In manual mode it holds gear on redline till meltdown. If it doesn’t equal the 3-Series’s benchmark ZF auto, the Lexus jobbie now runs it closer.

In general running this enhanced alacrity can but add to an already enjoyable and desirable device. At around 1600kg it’s a hefty thing, but the well-balanced and highly accessible rear-wheel-drive dynamics come to the fore with a decent length of slack extended before the VDIM system beeps censoriously.

The 153kW/252Nm 2.5-litre V6 is something of an analogy for the whole car - sophisticated, efficient and while outmatched by the bigger bent sixes of Audi and the inline sixes of BMW, it’s also elegantly sufficient for most buyers. And that mid-eight second 0-100km/h time is more than enough squirt in this legislature.

In all, the IS is a fine thing smartly enhanced. Which means the next 10,000 are going to be even more right to buy it.