Of course, load up the already well stocked base model and it'll be pushing the $47,000 mark. Still, given the price of the German, Japanese and, to some extent, Swedish competition, the Lexus sport sedan offers much of the bang for fewer bucks.

The performance of the IS 300 rivals that of a Porsche Boxster, but with the headroom and rear seat room of a Ford Taurus. (Photo: Lexus)

Unlike the illogical evolution of so-called sport-utility vehicles (the 'looks like a truck, drives like a sports car' idiocy that compels even dedicated sports car companies -- hello, Porsche -- to enter the market), a sports sedan is a natural fit. Essentially a four-door, four-seat sports car, the sport sedan species is ideal for the driver who wants that sports car experience -- but also needs to strap a child's car seat in the back.

The IS 300 is just such a vehicle. The performance of the rear-wheel-drive sedan rivals that of a Porsche Boxster (zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds), but with the headroom and rear seat room of a Ford Taurus (though the rear seats are a little snug if traveling with four adults).

With its 215-hp 3.0-liter engine, the IS 300 accelerates and handles like a dream. (Photo: Lexus)

Featuring a 3.0-liter in-line six cylinder engine pumping out 215 horses, the sedan accelerates and handles like a dream, with a solid and safe feeling in most driving conditions. I especially liked the steering-wheel mounted gear shift buttons on the standard five-speed automatic tranny (a 5-speed manual is also available) and the standard power assisted ABS system. A host of standard suspension and mechanical systems give the IS 300 such solid footing, from electronic traction control to a double-wishbone suspension to gas shock absorbers to something called anti-dive and anti-squat geometry.