German TV Show D Motor compared the Lexus IS-F and Mercedes C63 in their latest episode, and no matter how tired you might be of this duel, this english-subbed feature is tops:

Just to be clear, host Tim Schrick did use the adjective "super cool" four times to describe the IS-F, you couldn't fake that enthusiasm. And take a look at this screencap:

(Just curious, this show is obviously using Top Gear as a template, does anyone else find it weird how much this presenter looks like Richard Hammond?)

When the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) gathered together for their annual event to name the best vehicles for 2009, they brought in two Lexus' to compete: The IS-F in the Best New Sports/Performance Car over $50k, and the LX 570 in the Best New SUV/CUV over $60k.

The LX 570 ended up being upstaged by the Mercedes M-Class Bluetec, but the IS-F took top spot in a category that featured some very fierce competition, with the BMW M3 Coupe, Cadillac CTS-V, Jaguar XF Supercharged, Mercedes-Benz C63, and the Nissan GT-R all eligible to win.

I was particularly surprised that the GT-R didn't race away with the honor, no matter how much emphasis is placed on "real world" testing. In fact, I'd be inclined to call this an upset, but one I'm sure Lexus Canada is very happy about.

[Source: Canadian Driver (Thanks Jarrett!)]

David Booth, a columnist with Canada's National Post, has posted up his latest column comparing the Lexus IS-F with the Nissan GT-R, and it's just as expertly written and to the point as I've come to expect:

With the IS-F, you have time to prepare for the acceleration as the big 5.0-litre V8 gathers itself and builds up steam. If the Lexus feels like it's being pushed out of the way by a 130-kilogram NFL lineman on his way to get a fresh libation from a scantily clad Budweiser girl, the Nissan feels like said Budweiser girl is his girlfriend and he smacked you, full-force, upside the head with a telephone book because he thinks you're hitting on her.

It's not that the Lexus is slow. Au contraire; it's roughly as quick as BMW's M3, which is plenty quick. It's just that if you're going to play with the GT-R, you'd better have one of those new supercharged ZR1 Corvettes or the very latest, 560-hp Lamborghini Murcielago.

The IS-F is as sporty as Lexus can make it without sacrificing one iota of luxury; the GT-R is as luxurious as Nissan can engineer it without sacrificing even a bit of performance. The IS-F is a slightly softer competitor to BMW's M3; the GT-R is a stiffer, more committed alternative to Porsche's 911 Turbo.

With both of these cars coming out of Japan and retailing within the same ballpark, it's inevitable that comparisons be made. However, Booth's last paragraph there accurately sums up the real competition and keys directly into the bigger picture -- the Japanese have reset their eyes on performance, big time.

The latest issue of Winding Road magazine has a feature article that brings together the new class of Japanese performance cars for a test drive through Tokyo, and the Lexus IS-F is rewarded with a large helping of praise:

The IS-F is almost as striking as the GT-R. The bulbous nose that struggles to contain its 50-liter 416-horsepower V8 hasn't won it any friends in Europe, but, when I see it, all I can think of is the bullet train that rolled under my hotel window at 5 a.m. this morning.

It's a great read accompanied with a nice assortment of photos. I'm always impressed by the presentation of the monthly magazine, and this article is no exception.

In terms of sheer entertainment, this clip from Fifth Gear judging the Lexus IS-F and the BMW M3 by how high they get a woman's heartrate is pure dead brilliant:

A very enjoyable piece (and it's duly noted that Tiff has to cheat at the end to get the M3 above the IS-F).

Update: Didn't realize there was two parts to this comparison. Updated to reflect that.

Edmunds has went ahead and pitted the Lexus GS 350 against the brand new Hyundai Genesis, resulting in a mismatch that places far too much emphasis on the pricetag:

So the Genesis is a large, rear-drive luxury sedan that's priced like a smaller front-drive one — at 195.6 inches long it's just 2.4 inches shorter overall than Lexus' flagship LS 460, but the $33,000 base price for the V6-powered Genesis is more than a grand cheaper than the base price of the entry-level ES 350. There isn't really anything directly comparable to the Genesis at Lexus or, for that matter, at any other manufacturer.

As tested, the GS 350 came fully equipped at $49,670. The Genesis showed up with a $4,000 Technology package and a $42,000 sticker. That's a thick $7,670 price difference, in case you haven't already made the calculation yourself. Yet the Genesis essentially matched the Lexus luxury for luxury, gizmo for gizmo.

Basing a vehicle's value entirely on the MSRP is faulty for so many reasons -- consider the residual value, which will favor the Lexus heavily. If the Lexus maintains 50% of its value over three years, and the Hyundai only 40%, the initial price difference will be reduced by more than half.

Now factor in Lexus' superior customer service, Hyundai's unfamiliarity with luxury customers, and the better fuel efficiency of the GS 350's V6 (5.3 mpg better). What's left?