And with its sports suspension package that lowers and stiffens ride for handling as good as the BMW 3-Series, you need look no further. However, that said, on the latter you get superlative handling without the any additional cost.

In overall design terms the aerodynamic, reshaped convex and concave body panels made from sound absorbing materials round off what is an attractive and sporting profile.

The IS250 Sport's body kit also includes revised front and rear bumpers with complementing side skirts and rear boot spoiler, which in effect make it look as good, if not better than the German trio.

Pricey mod-cons

The interior, too, is smart and slick with the aluminium highlights adding a further sporty touch. But in the end it is obvious is that although a whole gambit of equipment is available as standard it does make the Sport an expensive piece of kit.

At R482 600, it's big-bucks when compared to the R358 700 for C200K Classic AT, the BMW 323i AT's R366 000 and Audi A4 2.0T FSI 155kW at R369 500. However when you consider such features as satellite navigation with voice activation, Bluetooth, reverse camera with back-guide monitor, a 14-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and keyless entry, it may make some sense.

If you can live without these features and performance is a priority, no doubt you'll be considering a 335i or C350 for similar money to this Lexus.

One thing this Lexus really does major in is safety, with it being among the best in class with eight airbags including driver and passenger knee bags and Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management system.

The 2.5-litre V6 quad-cam engine is also as smooth and responsive as any rival with performance test results comparing well. As a point of interest, in power to weight terms, its 96kW per tonne is somewhat better than the 86 of the Merc C200k, the 323i's 90 and almost equal to the Audi A4 2.0T's 97. What should be borne in mind is when you force-feed an engine it effectively equals the outputs of one some 50 percent larger.

When driven with great care and continually watching the tachometer and easing the throttle you can achieve 8.7 l/100km in the combined cycle, but when driven with little regard to such constraints you'll get to around 9.9 l/100km.

Impressive was the manner and excellent dealer response we received on collecting the IS250 Sport.

Due to unseen circumstances we were requested to collect the car from the dealer at Fourways, who in effect offers red carpet treatment via a modern facility that not only includes a conference room for clients to may use to meet with their clients while waiting for their cars, but also a play room for kids and a smart cigar lounge.

However, if the Lexus IS250 Sport's price seems illogical, you can get the almost as good looking everyday IS250 AT for R387600.

Check out the specs on page two.

Which Aston are you? Aston Martin stirs the emotions. Our overview will help you find a model that fits your mood.

Texting twits? Think you're capable of using a cellphone while driving? Watch this video and think again.

My van can The Materia is not what it seems to be and is deceptive in many ways, Philip Devine discovers.