In Europe, this model is the IS200 and has an available six-speed manual. That engine is not an option in America and the engine used here supplies too much torque for Lexus' manual shifter. But few will miss a manual shifter if the daily commute involves traffic. The IS300 has a fine five-speed automatic. Hold the pedal down and rpm rises to redline.
Shifts are quick and smooth.
But wait, there's another, very interesting, option. You are in control of shift points. The upshift buttons are located where the pointer fingers fall naturally, behind the front of the steering wheel. Down buttons are on front, operated by thumb pushes. In the instrument cluster, watch the tachometer on the left, the speedometer in the middle, and the gear selector on the bottom right.