2006 Lexus IS: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Lexus redesigns its sporty compact sedan for 2006 with new styling and available all-wheel drive. IS borrows its basic architecture from Lexus's larger GS sedans and loses its wagon body style for '06. Compared to the 2001-05 IS 300, the '06s are some 3 inches longer and wider on a 2.4-inch-longer wheelbase. The IS 250 versions have a 204-hp V6 and offer rear-wheel drive or AWD. The IS 350 has a 306-hp V6 and rear-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard for the rear-drive 250. Available for the rear-drive 250 and standard for the other models is a 6-speed automatic with a manual shift gate and steering-wheel paddles.

All come with ABS, traction/antiskid control, front torso side airbags, curtain side airbags, and front knee airbags. Also standard are leather upholstery and a sunroof. Available are a sport suspension, wood interior trim, and heated/cooled power seats. An optional voice-activated navigation system includes a rearview camera and wireless cell phone link. Rear obstacle detection and steering-linked bi-xenon headlights are also available. So is adaptive cruise control. A new option is Lexus's Pre-Collision Safety System, designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.

Our Best Buys in the Premium Compact Car class are Acura TSX, Audi A4, and BMW 3-Series. At this time we have no Recommended picks.

New or significantly redesigned models in this class include Audi A3 and Lexus IS.