2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross

In today's automotive world, practical chic is where it's at. Leading the charge in that direction is a variety of new vehicles that combine equal parts of utility and style. Latest face to join this burgeoning group of multifaceted people-movers is the Lexus IS 300 SportCross. Sharing basic architecture with the new-for-2001 IS sedan, the 2002 SportCross offers even more visual impact to complement its additional flexibility.

The SportCross's rear roofline sacrifices some cargo area to gain style points.

Viewed head-on, the IS 300 sedan and SportCross are an identical match, right down to their grilles—which for 2002 have only three rather than the original four splitter elements. Indeed, from the C-pillar forward, these marque-mates share and share alike in every way. The divergence commences immediately aft of the rear-door cutout, and carries back to the high-mount spoiler lip on the back of the SportCross's fast-breaking roofline. Despite exacting a modest penalty on usable enclosed space, the substantial reverse rake on its D-pillar adds an undeniable element of visual excitement to the basic SportCross persona.


The feeling of déjà vu continues as you slip behind the SportCross's thick-rimmed, 3-spoke steering wheel. As in the IS 300 sedan, a flashy "chronograph-look" speedometer dominates the instrument cluster while brushed-aluminum pedals and a chrome shift lever contribute more visual impact to the interior trimout. Key SportCross standards include power windows/locks/mirrors, keyless remote, anti-theft system, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo, front/front-side/side curtain airbags, and automatic climate control. This year, the IS 300 family also adds a new center armrest and optional Lexus DVD-based navigation system. In addition to opting for a full-leather seat treatment, buyers can now even have the shifter ball covered in cowhide.

The SportCross shares the IS sedan's distinctive instrumentation and brushed-aluminum pedals. A DVD-based nav system is optional, as is leather upholstery.

A quick perusal of the dimensional specs shows that the SportCross has the same front/rear numbers as an IS 300 sedan. That means those riding in its well-formed sport buckets enjoy a good deal more "personal space" than passengers relegated to the rear bench. The big gain comes behind the rear seat, where a 21.1-cubic-foot cargo bay replaces the IS 300's conventional 10.1-cubic foot trunk. Although fairly prominent shock towers do take a bite out of the total space, fully deploying the 60/40 split/folding seatback creates a flat loading floor that virtually doubles the usable room. Easy access to this cargo bay comes courtesy of a generously proportioned hatch cutout that extends all the way down to bumper level. Added storage space is available beneath a lift-out panel in the cargo area while a retractable/removable cover keeps whatever's stored back there out of sight. Other key differences from the sedan setup include an additional 12V powerpoint, a rear washer/wiper, and a mini-table formed by forward folding the front-passenger seatback.

The SportCross offers 11 more cubic feet of cargo capacity than its sibling sedan. Fold-flat rear seats nearly double the storage area.

Like its betrunked cousin, the decidedly enthusiast-oriented SportCross rides on a chassis that favors handling prowess over ride compliance. Double wishbones, coil springs and gas-pressure shocks all around are fine-tuned with an anti-roll bar at each axle. While sharing the sedan's 205/45ZR17 Bridgestone Potenza 040 tires on 17x7 five-spoke alloy wheels up front, the SportCross is fitted with 225/45s on 7.5-inch-wide rims at the rear.