The Lexus brand was formulated nearly two decades ago to give brand snobs in the luxury market a taste of Toyota quality.

While its vehicle line-up eventually grew to include more large sedans and an SUV, easily its boldest move was taking on the highly successful BMW 3-Series with the IS. Considering the hard-edged, cap-backwards style of the first generation hardly set the sales charts alight, Toyota has taken a more elegant approach to the new model. The result is a gorgeous 4-door sedan that manages to look both fast and classy.

It also offers better value than before. While almost as powerful at the previous IS300, the new IS250 is significantly cheaper, with the ‘base’ model coming in at just R274 000. Unless you have an absolute obsession with unnecessary gadgets, the cheapest version is the one to go for. It still has a keyless entry system that allows you to both enter and start the vehicle without removing the key fob from your pocket; as well as cruise control, dual zone automatic climate control and full leather interior with the front seats being electrically adjustable eight ways.

The real business is driving this car as it really does provide an awesome compromise between all aspects. The first thing you’ll notice is just how smooth it is. If its bigger LS brother is the king of smooth, then this is the prince. It’s just so silent inside and the ride is incredibly supple. The interior helps this case too - you can tick off a big ‘yes’ under comfort and upmarket ambience, although like its prestige A4, 3 and C cousins, it’s not as spacious as more sensible sedans like the Honda Accord and VW Passat.

So it trumps as a luxury car, but that’s not to say that the Lexus loses points as a driver’s car. Powered by a 2.5 V6 petrol engine, with dual variable valve timing and direct injection, sending power to the rear wheels, it certainly has the credentials to shine in this price class.

However, detracting from the experience in our test car was a clutch that let off way too suddenly, making pulling off and gear changing a jerky affair for all that drove it. The gearshift also felt a little too plasticy for something in this class.

Performance proved decent nonetheless. It was comparable to the BMW 325i, even though the Lexus works out cheaper than the lesser 323i. It also makes mince-meat of the comparably priced Alfa 159 1.9, and even the pricier 2.2.

However, those willing to give up some prestige for even better performance, note that pocket rockets like the VW Jetta 2.0T FSI and Volvo S40 T5 are even quicker in all respects.

Another essential part of the Lexie’s Beemer-fighting arsenal is its rear-wheel drive tranny and thoroughly revised suspension consisting of double wishbones up front and a multi-link set-up at the back. The result is really not bad. In fact, when it comes to twisty roads, the little Lexus will satisfy those accustomed to the best RWD offerings in this class. The speed sensitive electric power steering also has a nice feel to it. It’s communicative and well-weighted, and turning it is a delightful experience.

The new IS250 is solid effort all-round, and it’s great value for money – clearly, Toyota’s trying really hard to tempt you out of the default German snob-mobile and into the Japanese equivalent thereof.