Most people know Lexus as the brand that wins quality surveys in America year after year, but that's done little to boost its sales in South Africa.
In our intensely image-driven market Toyota's luxury marque still doesn't have the same bragging status in the golf club parking lot as an Audi, BMW or Benz, perhaps because people tend to see it as just a Toyota with a few more buttons on the dash.
It's a lot more than that, but previous Lexus models have lacked the street cred to lure large numbers of customers into taking test drives and finding this out for themselves.
The new Lexus IS250 launched here in July might just do the trick, along with an undertaking by Toyota that it will market the brand more vigorously and upgrade Lexus dealerships.
The car has a coolness factor that should attract corporate climbers extending their search beyond the customary 3 Series, C-Class or A4. It looks like the offspring of an Alfa Romeo and an Audi: streamlined, sophisticated, and sexy. Not the usual staid, conservative products we're used to from Toyota.
The IS is available with only one engine, a six-cylinder 2.5-litre V6 with a choice of manual or automatic transmission (each six-speed) in standard or more upmarket SE versions. The SE automatic on test here sells for R342 100, a big premium over the standard R287 000 auto, and whether it's worth the extra money depends on how much you like your gadgets.
The standard IS250 is not exactly bare-bones spec and comes with all the electrically powered regulars: air-con, a sound system, power seats and cruise control.
The SE goes OTT with features such as a reverse parking camera, satellite navigation, see-around-corner headlights, heating and cooling for the front seats and a high-end Mark Levinson sound system.
It also has sharper handling thanks to wider, lower-profile tyres on larger 17" rims. The SE is more expensive than its German rivals but it's loaded with items that are extra-cost options on the opposition.
Spec-corrected, it's priced competitively.
The IS250's cabin is classy with a modern flair; rich-textured plastics, leather upholstery and polished wood create an opulent atmosphere.
Rear legroom is not the best in class and taller folk will have their knees touching a front seat but the rear seat is very comfortable.
Storage space is plentiful; there's a closable bin between the front seats and a cup holder.
Big on refinement
Lexus has always been big on refinement and the IS250 is as quiet as our government is on the Zimbabwe issue. Once you've shut those solid doors you're cocooned in a sound-deadened environment that lets very little wind or engine noise disturb the tranquillity.
Impressive, if not for those who prefer a bit of vocal charisma from the engine.
The six-cylinder 2.5 purrs so smoothly you'd swear it runs on Chivas Regal instead of unleaded. This somewhat masks the fact that it's capable of a decent turn of pace: its 154kW and 252Nm don't create knuckle-whitening performance but it has variable valve timing to give it good bottom end punch and make it a driveable car with a linear power band and easy cruising ability.
Lexus says it will reach 225km/h and do the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.4sec at sea level. Fuel consumption isn't too shabby either: our test car returned an average 11.6 litres/100km.
Awkward clutch
The manual version of the IS250 has an awkward clutch that makes smooth starts tricky so the creamy six-speed auto is the one to go for.
It offers Normal and quicker-reacting Sport modes which both do the job very competently but you can also switch to manual and change cogs like Jarno Trulli with F1-style paddles on the steering wheel.
The IS250's driving dynamics are more BMW 3 Series than Toyota Camry. The rear-wheel drive sedan has an affinity for twisty tar and is just as much an enthusiast's car as a safe, family-friendly conveyance.
The car has great poise, with a real planted feel and impressive high-speed stability. It has terrific traction, suspension that doesn't feel squishy and speed-sensitive steering.
A sports sedan? Yes, unquestionably, even if it doesn't quite punch in the heavyweight power division.
Solid as a bank vault
It's all aided by a raft of stay-on-the-road software that includes stability control and anti-lock brakes, supported post-extremis by eight crash bags.
The ride is slightly firm as befits a sports sedan but not uncomfortable and the suspension deals efficiently with bumpy roads. Judders and rattles are absent and the IS250 feels as solid as a bank vault.
When the ignition's switched on the speedo and tacho needles sweep across their faces before coming to rest at zero - it looks cool and shows the car's playful side. An orange ring in the speedo and tacho illuminate to warn you when a pre-set speed is exceeded.
One of the most convenient of the car's many gadgets was its keyless operation; you can leave the key in a pocket and unlock the car simply by touching a door release. Starting is done by pressing a button on the dash (yes, with the key still in your pocket).
There's a touch screen (in the SE) which is more user-friendly than the mouse-style controllers used by BMW and Audis. It covers air-con, audio and satnav.
Other functions will react to voice control - if some insipid boy band starts singing on the radio just say: "Change station".
The SE has a rear camera which, when reversing, displays what's behind the car on the LCD screen. Probably useful when you get accustomed to it although I still preferred using the good old mirror technique.
SUMMARY
Lexus calls it the "luxury of exhilaration" and that pretty much sums up the IS250. It stands up to its German peers on opulence, driving dynamics, and user-friendly technology, as well as that all-important street cred.
It's a very accomplished vehicle all round and I reckon it has a good chance of winning SA's Car of the Year title.