After seven days and hundreds of miles of driving along busy city streets, crowded highways, and gnarly mountain roads, it’s the 2006 Lexus IS 350 that comes out victorious against the heralded 2006 BMW 330i. Though the BMW shined in the driving category, the Lexus edged out its German competitor in all other respects, from seat comfort to exterior design.

2nd Place: 2006 BMW 330i

“Buy it if you love to drive. Period.” This quote from one of our editors pretty much sums up the staff consensus about the 2006 BMW 330i. There is simply no disputing that the 330i is an engaging ride, one that makes the casual commute fun and the twisty back road thrilling. If this was a comparison based solely on the sport aspect of sport/luxury, the BMW would be our winner. However, when luxury is considered, the BMW’s relative lack of interior comfort, stiff leather, and questionable ergonomics relegate the 2006 BMW 330i to second place.

1st Place: 2006 Lexus IS 350

Some buyers will inevitably choose the 2006 Lexus IS 350 just because they think it looks cool, which it does. Others will appreciate the IS’s abundant power, edgy styling, comfortable and useful interior, and impressive handling, viewing the Lexus as the best alternative to the BMW 3 Series. And if driving dynamics aren’t high on your list, the Lexus is, prepare yourself, a better choice. Such a bold statement may seem ridiculous, but one need only consider the relative strengths of the Lexus to appreciate its merit. The IS offers a more inviting interior with its plush materials, abundant usable storage, and superior ergonomics, which are all extremely important factors for car buyers who spend the majority of their time commuting, as most drivers do.

Plus, like we said, it looks cool.