2006 Lexus IS Preview

Lexus Comes to Market with a Serious Competitor to BMW's 3-Series

Longer by 3½ inches, wider by almost 3 inches, and sitting on a wheelbase that extends 2.3 inches beyond

Watch out BMW 3-Series, the 2006 Lexus IS 300 is sporting chiseled good looks and an aggressive character. (Photo: Lexus)

its predecessor, the 2006 Lexus IS 300, with its chiseled good looks and aggressive character appears to be exactly what compact luxury buyers currently want.

When the current IS 300 debuted in North America, a rebadged and somewhat upgraded Japanese-market Toyota Altezza, enthusiasts jumped on the Lexus bandwagon. It was small, light and plenty powerful, and soon after its introduction offered a manual transmission just like BMW's benchmark 3-Series.

Interestingly enough, it was these enthusiasts that praised the IS 300 for behaving much like past generation 3-Series',

It looks like Lexus listened to the critics of the first-generation IS, and fixed all of their gripes. (Photo: Lexus)

which were smaller, lighter and resultantly more nimble.

But the first-generation IS wasn't without its detractors, complaining about its bland exterior, as well as criticizing its busy cabin layout and cramped quarters.

The upcoming 2006 IS looks ready to remedy such problems, and knowing how advanced its rear-drive cars are becoming in driving dynamics shouldn't lose any of its fun factor either.