Warning:  This review may seem a bit enthusiastic and unabashed in its praise of the 2002 Lexus IS300 SportCross.  That’s because it is.  I liked the IS300 sport sedan when it made its debut in 2001, gunning for the BMW 3-series and largely finding its mark.  I’m also a big fan of station wagons, partly because they make good cargo-carrying alternatives to SUVs and minivans without sacrificing handling, and partly because they just look cool.  So it should be no surprise that a Lexus IS300 station wagon would be met with cartwheels of joy from my corner.

Technically, the SportCross is “more than a sedan, but less than a full wagon,” according to Lexus.  Rather than making a direct competitor to luxury wagons like BMW’s 3-series wagon or Audi’s A4 Avant, Lexus chose to create a car that’s somewhere between a sedan and a wagon.  There’s not much cargo space–a Volvo V40 is visibly larger.  With only 21.8 cubic feet of space, the SportCross doesn’t make much of a hauler.  Then again, the SportCross isn’t supposed to be a station wagon.  Think of it as a road-tripper that’ll allow you to bring home unusually large antiques.

Even if you’re not a fan of station wagons, the SportCross’s elegant lines will catch your eye.  The IS300 sedan’s notched back has been gracefully extended with a dramatically sloping backlight that gives the car a distinctly wedge-shaped profile.  The roof is extended only slightly, and the additional sheet metal serves only to emphasize the way the SportCross’ flanks hug the 17″ wheels.  A very subtle character line starts at the front wheel arch and kicks up at the C-pillar gives the SportCross a hunkered, ready-to-pounce look.  It won’t be mistaken for a soccer mom’s car, that’s for sure.  Also more noticeable are the slightly rounded headlamps under glass covers and the distinctive bulge in the hood.  Both details are shared with the IS300 sedan, but the SportCross is many times more distinctive.

From the front seat there aren’t any significant differences between SportCross and sedan.  The seating position is good and the “ribbed” dash texture is pleasing to the eye.  The chrome shift knob, however, is a terrible, terrible thing to have to deal with in the summer, when it becomes as hot as a frying pan.  Luckily, your friendly Lexus dealer will change it to leather for you.  Our test car featured Escaine-upholstered seats whose suede-like surfaces were wonderfully grippy and comfortable.  It’s supposed to be the sporty Lexus, but our test SportCross’ very upscale appointments were noticed by many.

As in the IS300 sedan, the inline six-cylinder engine is a sweet powerplant.  Its 215 horsepower may not seem like much on paper, but remember, the SportCross isn’t that much larger than the average subcompact, and the engine is actually borrowed from the larger Lexus GS300.  It seems a bit light on torque off the line, but at higher revs the SportCross wakes up thanks to variable valve timing.  What’s missing is a manual transmission.  It’s a mystery to me why Lexus offers a five-speed in the IS300 sedan but not in the SportCross (and if any Lexus engineers are listening, this should be rectified as soon as possible!).  A gimmicky manual-shift option for the automatic transmission adds racing-style up- and downshift buttons to the steering wheel, and went largely unused during my test drive.

Apart from that dynamic oversight, the SportCross offers delightful balance, responsive steering, and tenacious grip.  The four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension  offer an around-town ride that might be too stiff for some tastes.  The responsive, compliant poise is welcome when the roads get complicated, though.  The SportCross is a great deal friendlier than the BMW 3-series which it closely emulates.  It’s easier to become friends with a SportCross.  Granted, any BMW 330i would probably eat it up on the track, but not by a significant margin.  The SportCross is comparable to any of the German sport wagons but has less cargo space.

Lexus’ Brake Assist system, which increases braking power in emergency situations, and antilock brakes are standard equipment on the SportCross.  Side airbags are also standard.  Traction control and a pop-up navigation system are options.  SportCross pricing starts at just over $32,000.  Our test car’s Escaine interior and moonroof made for a very luxurious interior, but they’re expensive options that drove the as-tested price to $35,294.  A fully loaded SportCross knocks at the door of $40,000, but there isn’t an alternative to Lexus’ “4+1 sedan” unless you’re willing to dig up a decades-old Audi 5000 wagon.

Bottom line:  The IS300 SportCross is one of the more enjoyable cars I’ve driven in the course of my exploration of the automotive world, despite the lack of an entertaining transmission and the high price.  Is that unabashed enough for you?

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2002 Lexus IS300 SportCross, which we tested.
Length:     177.0 in.
Width:        67.9 in.
Height:        56.7 in.
Wheelbase:    105.1 in.
Curb weight:    3410 lb
Cargo space:    21.8 cu.ft.
Base price:    $32,305
Price as tested: $35,294
Engine:     3.0 liter DOHC 24-valve inline six-cylinder
Drivetrain:     five-speed automatic, rear wheel drive
Horsepower:     215 @ 5800
Torque:     218 @ 3800
Fuel capacity:    17.5 gal.
Est. mileage:    18/25

Print This Post Print This Post