If you can overcome the interior styling, all of the parts work very well. The steering wheel is one of the best in its class, incorporating those trick shift buttons I mentioned previously. The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive, even while driving quickly on curving roads. The 240-watt, 8-speaker premium audio system is best-in-class, with a 6-disc in-dash single feed CD changer and a subwoofer that will knock the filling right out of your teeth. The back seats are comfortable too, yet room is at a premium, as is the case in the compact category on the whole.
Contrary to the interior, the exterior styling is wonderfully executed. The IS 300 looks aggressive, with a wide stance and short overhangs, large grille openings and deep front air dam incorporating fog lamps. Its clear plastic taillight treatment has a 'custom' look that comes off in stunning fashion, especially when the baby Lexus is doused in metallic silver paint. The IS 300's rakish lines are as attractive as any of its competitors, and more modern than most.
Lexus has truly anted up a contender in this highly contested category. The IS 300 can run with the best and circles around the rest. Although greater subtlety in its interior design would make it more palatable in this segment of the market, and the addition of a manual transmission would be more fun, the it's one fine little sport sedan as it is. Its tremendous performance characteristics, together with Lexus' superior build quality and expected reliability make for a winning package.
