Lexus IS 2011: the Estate returns – but Hybrid only

The Lexus IS SportCross - the 1st generation Lexus IS Estate

The Lexus IS Range is Toyota’s answer to BMW’s 3 Series and Audi’s A4. And it does a very creditable job, particularly for those drivers for whom quality of finish and lots of toys are much further up the list than driving dynamics. But despite there originally being a Lexus IS Estate – the Lexus IS SportCross – when the IS first launched in 2000, Lexus saw fit to drop that when the current IS turned up in 2005. Which they now see as a big mistake.

So it’s not the biggest shock in the world to discover that when the third generation 2011 Lexus IS launches next year we will once again see an Estate model offered, although whether Lexus will revert to the SportCross moniker is unknown. It also seems a bit unlikely that the estate version will make its way to the US. The Americans don’t really understand Wagons, at least not unless they’re the size of the Grand Canyon.

And though it pains me to say, it also looks as if we are going to be lumbered with a hybrid-only Lexus IS from 2011. It would seem that Toyota are absolutely convinced that hybrid is the future and they’re going to do what they’re doing with the Lexus CT 200h and makes the 2011 IS range hybrid only. How on earth that’s going to compete with the 3 Series and A4 range is frankly beyond us, but Lexus think they know what they’re doing.

So unfortunately, unless you’re a man-made global warming believer with a penchant for a rather detached – but very well built – small saloon car, the Lexus IS won’t be for you from next year.

Still, at least it makes it easier to spot the environmentally deluded from a distance.

By Cars UK