The Lexus IS emerged in the late 1990s here in the United States as a small executive car with sporty leanings. Early models embraced that sporty side, but Lexus developed softer versions to attract a wider spectrum of buyers. The IS 250 emerged in the car’s second generation with a smaller V6 engine, less power, and a smaller price tag. Lexus continued selling the car through 2015 until its ultimate demise in 2016. Though the IS is still on sale today, the model line is much smaller than earlier offerings. The car’s 2.5-liter V6 provided effortless, smooth acceleration, but with just 204 horsepower, it wasn’t the rowdy Japanese muscle sedan some had hoped for.