By Kelly Foss
mycardata.com

LEXUS IS | STARTING PRICE: $36,500

In the luxury sport sedan world certain vehicle attributes are expected in order to gain entrance to the “club.” Those usually are a vehicle that generally fits the dimensions of a compact car, has sporty handling and normally needs a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Beyond that, you can find equipment choices and therefore pricing ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime.

The recently introduced Generation 3 Lexus IS is a compact luxury sport sedan that is built and equipped to Lexus standards. This is not a particularly large car but is intended to fit you like a glove… just like the competitors in this class. From a purely practical standpoint, the Lexus ES sedan is larger, more comfortable, fast, has a hybrid option available, gets noticeably better fuel economy and costs about the same… but it’s a non-sporty front wheel drive sedan.

The IS is a supremely capable vehicle but very few of its owners will ever plumb the depths of its handling abilities. The vast majority of buyers choose the basic IS 250 model and use it for commuter duties, not even fully realizing what the vehicle can do. To validate that the car has high performance capabilities, Lexus also offers F-Sport and IS F models plus two additional engine choices beyond the entry 2.5 liter V6. For drivers with the confidence and the skills, a properly configured IS equipped with either the 3.5 V6 or 416 horsepower 5.0 V8 will fulfill their need for speed.

So much of the appreciation of a vehicle like this is in the subtle sensory experiences the driver gets from driving the car. Lesser cars depend on engine sounds coming from tuned inductions emanating from under the hood. The proper way to enjoy the sound of an engine is to hear it from a mellow exhaust note exiting the back of the car the way the IS does it.

Several of the IS’s European competitors have abandoned 6 cylinder engines and have opted to power their cars with turbocharged 4 cylinder units. Though the turbos can produce more power, they are often noisy crass devices with unseemly turbo-lag. Additionally, they also have annoying stop-start engine technology which is not fully developed, is very low class and only improves fuel economy by a small inconsequential amount. Kudos to Lexus for continuing to deliver very smooth V6 engines that add to the luxury demeanor and driving joy of the IS.

The IS is a very fine sedan. It’s taut, well put together, has appropriate appointments for its class, looks good, feels good, drives good and sounds good. Lexus vehicles also tend to be well built requiring little maintenance and lasting a time while retaining their value.

The Lexus IS is fun to drive and not mere conveyance.

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KIA FORTE | STARTING PRICE: $15,900

For buyers of vehicles in the compact sedan market there are lots of really good choices. Dozens of very fine models are the result of decades of honing and fine-tuning vehicles. Kia is a relative newcomer to the rigors of the North American auto market. Though established, the company is not content to merely run with the pack. To make headway against some well-entrenched segment favorites you’ve got to stand out and provide something new and fresh. That’s the job of the Forte.

The Forte is styled to make a statement. It’s totally modern, non-conformist and quiet attractive. The shape not only conveys an “I’m different” message but also provides a lot of interior space in a compact vehicle package. The wheels have been pushed out to the corners of the car allowing a long wheelbase and a roomy cabin.

Kia has always been about the value proposition and comparatively speaking, with the Forte you get lots of car for the money. Even the base LX Forte is a proper compact with all the necessary equipment. The upscale EX adds a broad array of technology and options that just a few years ago were only available on larger, more expensive vehicles. Auto manufacturers have discovered, however, that there is a growing market for small, efficient cars that offer big vehicle amenities.

That said, the EX model has several packages that include features not available on competing models. The Alloy and UVO package offers lovely alloy wheels, a backup camera and a fine infotainment system. The Technology package adds navigation, HD radio, vehicle monitoring and HID projection beam headlamps. And finally, the Premium package includes a moon roof, leather seating, power seats with memory, heated front and rear seats, ventilated/cooled front seat and even a heated steering wheel!

Additionally it has keyless entry and push-button ignition start. When you lock the car and leave, the outside mirrors automatically fold in close to the body. As you approach the car with the key in your pocket or purse, the car senses your presence and the mirrors automatically fold out.

Kia’s Flex Steer technology provides three settings — Comfort, Normal and Sport — and lets the driver choose how much effort it takes to steer the car.

The LX is offers with a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine and the EX has a 2.0 connected to a 6 speed automatic. My EX had excellent acceleration and handling, the ride was good, and the cabin was very quiet for a compact car. In my week of driving I averaged 28.1 mpg — which is very good considering the spirited driving it was subjected to — and matches the EPA rating exactly. The sticker price on my fully loaded EX was $25,515.

The Forte is Kia’s worthy contender in the crowed compact sedan world, and in some areas offers equipment and technology that isn’t found on vehicles costing twice as much. It’s a smart buy.

For more information on these models, visit MyCarData.com.

Lexus IS and KIA Forte