This compact saloon is one of the most efficient and reliable cars on the road. This matches up well against the likes of Mercedes, Audi and BMW. An indication of how well it has done is that the IS now appears on the shortlist of many a buyer. The cabin is comfortably laid out and feels snug. The centre console is nicely worked. It handles really well, the ride quality is smooth, and the steering feels responsive and well-weighted. There isn’t a huge selection of engines; initially there was just one - the 204bhp 2.5-litre V6. Then the 2.2-litre diesel was introduced with 175bhp. Fuel economy is good in both engines and CO2 emissions are generally low.

•  There was a recall in 2008 due to possible fuel leakage in the engine bay. Check the necessary work was carried out

•  The IS remains one of the most reliable cars on the market

•  It performs really well and is easy to drive

•  The cabin design has quality and it looks sophisticated

•  There is a generous level of standard equipment

•  It has excellent build quality

•  The rear seats could be a bit more spacious and they don’t fold down