Intro4u2u

Sporty and affordable.

That pretty much sums up the Lexus IS sedan line, which comes in two versions, the IS 250 and IS 350, with standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive on the IS 250.

As far as “affordable” goes, in the overall scheme of entry-luxury vehicles, these cars are bargain-priced, beginning at just $30,970 (including freight) — much less than you would pay for some well-equipped, non-luxury-brand sport utility vehicles, for instance.

These sedans, introduced last fall, replaced the IS 300 that came to market in mid-2000, a line that included first a sport sedan and later a wagon.

At the time they were introduced, they were positioned to compete against BMW’s entry level 3-series, giving Toyota’s upscale brand its own European-style, rear-wheel-drive, near-luxury performance vehicle.

No wagon is in the new lineup, but Lexus has hinted that a convertible and a coupe could be added in the near future.

Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales USA

Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales USA

For 2007, changes are minor, but there is a new “X” package offered, which brings a sport-tuned suspension, sport pedal, a front-lip spoiler, illuminated scuff plates and new 18-inch alloy wheels.

There’s also a new cut-off switch for the electronic stability control system, something that enthusiasts will make use of during autocross events and at other times when they want complete control of their vehicles without having to fight with an onboard computer. (The rest of the time, though, the ESC should be left on to help prevent accidents — it’s a great safety feature.)

These new IS models are a cut above the original, which never really caught on with consumers, and certainly never became the brand’s best-selling vehicle, the way the 3-series is for BMW in North America.

As an automaker whose cars have emphasized mostly comfort and premium features over performance and pizzazz, the original IS was clearly a move into uncharted territory for Lexus. But it also was a move that was not wildly successful, as most other Lexus vehicles have been.

Perhaps it was the fact that sport utility vehicles had taken the spotlight by 2000, and cars such as the IS had to take a back seat to those popular people movers. It was about that time that Lexus also introduced the RX crossover SUV, which quickly became — and still is — the brand’s top-selling product.

Now that the sport utility boom has cooled — especially in light of the recent gasoline price increases — cars such as the IS 250 and 350 just might find a foothold in the market that wasn’t available to the original model.

Some consumers who tried SUVs are moving back to more performance-oriented cars, not only because of the poor fuel economy of sport utilities, but also because they just want a bit more excitement behind the wheel.

The base IS 250 model represents a sporty alternative not only to SUVs, but also to cookie-cutter mass-market sedans such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and even the Lexus ES 350, all of which have rather bland styling, front-wheel drive and more comfort than performance.

Some consumers might consider the ES 350, for instance, to be a sort of Japanese Buick; the IS could very well be at least a Japanese Volkswagen, if not a BMW.

Volkswagen, whose high-end Passat models offer sporty performance not found in most Japanese cars, has gone to great lengths to preserve and promote its driver-oriented philosophy. There are sporty Passat models that cost more than the IS.

Lexus still emphasizes luxury in the IS — that’s what the brand is best known for. But the automaker also hopes that the performance quotient in these sport sedans will woo some buyers away from the European competitors.

Included in the base price of the IS 250, which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, are such standard features as leather-trimmed interior, power moon roof, and keyless entry with push-button start.

Driver and front-passenger 10-way power seats also are standard on all IS models.

The IS 250 with a six-speed sequential automatic transmission starts at $32,140, and includes a Formula One-inspired steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifter so the driver can shift manually, although without having to use a clutch.

The IS 250 also is offered with a high-tech all-wheel-drive system. This model doesn’t sell very well here in Texas, but is more popular in Snow Belt states.

The all-wheel-drive model lists for $35,000 (including freight) and comes with the automatic transmission, as well as perforated leather interior with heated and ventilated front seats and wood trim.

For buyers who want even more, there is the IS 350, which begins at $36,420 (including freight).

The biggest difference between the IS 250 and 350 is the engines. Under the hood of the IS 250 is a 2.5-liter double-overhead-cam V-6 rated at 204 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque.

The IS 350 is the true performance model, with its 3.5-liter double-overhead-cam V-6, which cranks out 306 horsepower and 277 foot-pounds of torque — on par with the new Infiniti G35 sport sedan but just ahead of the new BMW 335i twin-turbo (300 horsepower).

The IS 350 can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and has a top speed (electronically limited) of 142 mph. And that’s with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21 miles per gallon city/28 highway.

There is a trade-off with the bigger engine, however: It comes only with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift paddle; no true manual gearbox is offered. All-wheel drive is not offered with the IS 350, either.

Even the IS 250 puts up good performance numbers, however. The 204-horsepower engine can accelerate this car (with front drive) from zero to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 142 mph (140 with automatic transmission).

Fuel-economy estimates are 20 city/28 highway with the manual transmission, and 24 city/32 highway with the automatic. The all-wheel-drive version is rated at 22 city/28 highway.

On the outside, the new IS has more standard features than its predecessor, just as it does inside, Lexus says.

They include projector-beam headlights, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, dual exhaust, LED taillights and brake lights, and outside-mirror puddle lights that come on as the driver approaches the vehicle with the transponder-equipped key fob in hand or pocket.

Inside, the car has such amenities as a 13-speaker premium audio system with six-disc, in-dash CD changer and an auxiliary input jack for an MP3 player; dual climate controls; universal garage/gate opener; tire-pressure monitoring system; outboard rear-seat pretensioner seat belts; steering wheel audio controls; and Optitron gauges with personalized shift and speed settings.

The cars have eight standard air bags, including driver and front-passenger knee bags, front and rear side-curtain bags, front-seat-mounted side bags and front passenger bags.

Another key safety feature, standard on all models, is electronic vehicle stability control, designed to help hold the car on the road during extreme maneuvers, including evasive turns to avoid collisions.

For 2007, Lexus says a new “Premium” package is standard for the all-wheel drive IS 250 and optional for the rear-wheel-drive models. It includes perforated leather seating trim and heated and ventilated front seats.

“Sport” and “Luxury” packages have nearly identical content, except that the Sport package also includes the sport suspension.

A new, more sophisticated navigation system is optional.