21 Sep 01
By using aluminium for the tailgate, Lexus engineers claim to have added only 50 kg in engineering the SportCross - less than the weight of an average adult. Talking of adults, you won't be wanting to be the one in the middle of the rear seat. The IS300 is not a wide car and its classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive set-up imposes a hefty transmission tunnel.
What it does confer is handling balance. The SportCross is a wieldy wagon, helped by a short bonnet and a bulge which helps you place the car exactly. The steering is quick and the ride is very well controlled with little body roll. Because of the one-size-fits-all ethos, the IS300 saloon and SportCross come only with a smooth, five-speed automatic transmission. Lexus argues that most 3.0-litre buyers want automatics anyway, but to satisfy those who wish to play at manual changes, the cars have a pushbutton gearchange system worked by steering-wheel buttons. Those behind change up, those on the front of the wheel control downshifts. A display tells you which gear you are in. Unlike some rival systems, it's super-quick and works very well.
And the urge is certainly there: 0-62 mph is achieved a full second quicker than the 2.0-litre. Like the IS200's engine (and those of most of the Toyota range) this unit has variable valve timing, which allows it to develop its torque or pulling power over a wide rev range from 2000 to 6000 rpm. Combined fuel consumption is 26.1 mpg, which is below the BMW 330's figure.
The IS range has to strike a tricky balance between being luxurious and sporty - Lexus is renowned for interior silence, but the IS300's more sporting bias implies a more audible engine. In reality, the IS300 is a serene motorway cruiser but when the engine's pushed, it stays smooth. With its cleverly tuned exhaust system, however, it never sounds really gutsy.
To keep things under control - and the IS300 competitive with its rivals - Lexus has added vehicle stability control and brake assist, which applies extra force if it detects panic braking. The twin front and side airbags have been joined by side curtain shield bags. There has been a slight increase in rear tyre size, but although the IS300's wide, low-profile tyres are grippy, they do start to hum along some lane markings and around smoothly surfaced bends. That's a picky detail, however.
