It didn’t exactly set the compact executive saloon world on fire when it was first introduced back in 1999, but it has earned itself a good reputation nonetheless. This latest version of the IS aims to put a stop to it being overlooked in favour of the dominant German cars. To be fair this is a big ask considering it is up against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and the BMW 3-Series. There’s no denying that it certainly looks the part. It’s bigger, stiffer, and lighter than the previous model, with a nicely designed body and an instantly recognisable spindle-shaped front-grille. The cabin design is excellent too; everything looks and feels top-class, and it absolutely oozes refinement and sophistication. It’s practical too. There’s plenty of leg/head room for passengers, the seats are very comfortable and the boot is impressively spacious. In terms of driving, it is quite a competent performer. It handles well and the steering feels nicely weighted, albeit a bit on the vague side. The ride in general feels pretty smooth and supple on the move, and there’s minimal body roll on corners.

•  Check everything works as it should

•  Cheap running costs thanks to the Hybrid powertrain

•  It looks fantastic and very contemporary inside and out

•  Feels really smooth on the move and hardly makes a sound

•  Lexus have never had any trouble where reliability is concerned

•  Great car but unfortunately there’s no diesel option available