While the demands of a five-person family would make the IS a second car at best, especially due to its comfortable

While the demands of a five-person family would make the IS a second car at best, especially due to its comfortable but hardly limousine-like rear seating area, it would be high on my list behind a minivan, wagon or SUV. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

but hardly limousine-like rear seating area, it would be high on my list behind a minivan, wagon or SUV if I were in the market today. I like it more than any premium compact rival, as it does everything I want it to extremely well. Package that up with Lexus' unparalleled expected reliability and extremely strong dealer service customer satisfaction ratings, and the decision becomes a lot easier, unless you're bent on getting a three-pointed star or blue and white propeller product to impress your neighbours and valet parking attendants. My guess, one look at the new IS and those same neighbours and valets will be swooning all over the car, and impressed with its driver for buying such a well-built, technologically-packed vehicle. Just a hunch.

Specifications (IS 350):

• Price Range (IS 350 MSRP): $48,900 - $59,700
• Body Type: 4-door sedan
• Layout: front engine, RWD
• Engine: 306-hp, 277 lb-ft of torque, 3.5L, 24-valve, DOHC V6
• Transmission: 6-spd auto with paddle-shift manual mode 
• Performance (estimated 0-100 km/h): 5.7 seconds
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD, BA
• Curb Weight: 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs)
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,575 / 1,800 / 1,425 / 2,730 mm (180.1 / 70.9 / 56.1 / 107.4 in)
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Cargo Volume: 378 L (13.3 cu ft)
• Web Site: www.lexus.ca