LEXUS isn’t a manufacturer known for treading the same path as its rivals and its crack at luring customers away from established German cars - the IS300h - continues that trend.
That ‘h’ stands for hybrid and having been at the forefront in that sector for a number of years, perhaps unsurprisingly it’s a very good system.
The cramped sector has all manner of Audi A4s, Mercedes C-Classes and BMW 3-Series with multiple engines to choose from, but it shows a great amount of courage just offering one engine choice and is a bold move.
The forward-thinking manufacturer has banished diesel-powered engines altogether, so the 2.5-litre uses petrol but can be driven purely on its batteries until more oomph is required.
What you get from the marque is tech, quality and ultra-modern interiors - it isn’t hard to see why many have indeed been swayed by the radical designs offered by Lexus in a perhaps uninspiring saloon market.
Although it’s a little bit plain from behind - even in F Sport spec - the front is a revelation. It’s a real head-turner with clever, swooping running lights standing out, while Lexus has managed to find a real design niche in a market that’s only recently been added to by the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Open the door and you’ll be met by a potential contender to the class-leading crown held by Audi for so long - it oozes quality and its design is without fault, while its driving position is also spot on.
Press the starter button and your ears fail to pick up any sound - in default it’s in hybrid mode until you give a generous stab of throttle which in turn wakes the engine up. It’s all very hushed and it’s automatic gearbox does all the work for you so it’s not the most involving of experiences at first, but it rides very smoothly and the auto goes about its business without any drama.
The self-charging hybrid uses the engine’s power to top itself up, while the driver’s input through braking also helps, and it’s this technology which does make the pedal feel somewhat strange when you’re not used to it.
It’s clever stuff, there’s no doubt about it, but those who haven’t driven a hybrid before will pick up on it as the pedal tends to feel grainy, almost like the ABS isn’t performing.
It’s worth persevering, as it’s just something that’s part and parcel of using regenerative braking and it soon becomes the norm - unnoticeable when you’ve spent more than a day with it.
There’s a respectable 223bhp available in the IS300h but that doesn’t translate into the type of on-the-road performance you’d maybe expect. It feels somewhat restrained, but the laid-back approach to the IS’s acceleration reflects its whole make-up.
Its steering and handling are surprisingly good, though - important traits in this market due to its rivals’ tendencies of being thoroughly decent to drive.
The IS300h represents Lexus putting everything it’s learned about creating luxurious, higher-end models and morphing that into a sensible, clever and striking package.
Prices start at £30,000 and it’s a more than worthy alternative to its run-of-the-mill, ten-a-penny rivals.
