The Lexus IS is a stellar car. Handsome, luxurious, comfortable and endlessly pleasing, it's a popular choice for buyers in the premium compact sedan segment. Now, there's a new Hybrid offering that takes things up a notch.

Indeed, this Hybrid variant is visually almost identical to its ICE twin, except for some blue detailing that will only be spotted by keen eyes. What that means, of course, is that this is still a pleasingly beautiful car, thanks to its curvaceous lines, sharp nose and low-riding stance.

Inside, you get typical Lexus quality - luxurious materials, faultless craftsmanship, and an overwhelming sense of comfort. Thankfully, the updated model also gets improved equipment, including a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. The touchscreen has also been moved closer to the driver to facilitate operation.

The 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain is a pleasingly smooth and linear powertrain, delivering 219bhp and 221N of torque to the rear wheels. The revised suspension sees this new IS offering high levels of body control in the corners, while the ride remains comfortable over all sorts of road imperfections.

With the seamless transitions between petrol and electric operation, as well as the quietness of the powertrain and interior insulation, driving the IS Hybrid is a serene and highly comfortable affair. It's pleasingly refined when you need it to be, yet still capable of tackling corners with verve when you want to. And of course, being a hybrid, it offers a reasonable 16.1km/L fuel consumption.

And interestingly, due to the quirks of the VES system, this IS Hybrid is actually priced slightly cheaper than its petrol-only twin. The hybrid drivetrain offers an increased breath of ability without much sacrifice to the car's sportier aspects. Delightful all around, the Lexus IS Hybrid is undeniably our choice for the Premium Hybrid of the Year.