Road Test: Lexus Is 300

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By Tara Weingarten

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Ready to swap that gas-guzzling SUV for a saner-size wagon? You and me both. Lexus's new IS 300 SportCross still has plenty of cargo room, but it's easier on the wallet during fill-ups than a hulking SUV. As for style, well, you'll either love it or hate it. Lexus swerved from the traditional boxy look of a wagon--remember those fridgelike Country Squires we grew up with?--and gave this one a quirky European flair. I had mixed reactions from onlookers during my test run, but most folks approved. The SportCross moves swiftly through traffic with its V-6 215-horsepower engine. It's got a folding seatback table and an electrical outlet for tailgating. And the false floor in the back is perfect for hiding little things, say, from your spouse when returning from a covert shopping expedition. The front passenger seat folds completely flat, helpful when hauling really big packages. I loved the chrome shifter ball, which resembles the limb on a one-armed bandit. Time for a road trip to Vegas?

Tip: Variable valve timing gives this wagon extra zip.

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