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Sometimes technology is a blessing; sometimes it’s a curse.

Take voice-activated controls in your car.

The 2006 Lexus IS250 allows you to tell the radio when to turn on and when to turn off.

As a rule, radios usually aren’t very complex. You don’t need to read the owner’s manual to understand how to use the radio. Push the button in the dash and you are treated to music, talk or play-by-play action in an instant.

But now you can push a button in the steering wheel, and a few seconds later, a voice instructs: “After the beep, please issue a command.”

Once the beep sounds, simply say “Audio on,” and, voila, you have radio. If only the kids responded to orders like that.

Of course, it takes twice the time to turn on the radio using voice-activation than pushing a button, but it impresses those who have to rely on the old-fashioned method.

But you have to consider how often you’ll use your voice rather than your finger because the option package that gives you voice-activation costs $2,550.

Lexus brought out the rear-wheel-drive IS300 in the 2001 model year. For 2006 it undergoes its first major remake, sporting redesigned sheet metal and enlarger dimensions. Length has been stretched by 3.5 inches, width by 3 inches and wheelbase by 2.4 inches.

Sadly, however, those who ride in back still don’t have enough leg and knee room. They are forced to squeeze their feet under the front seats while knees dig into the back of those seats. Tight fit. Make that too tight a fit.

Too bad because the perforated leather front seats are wide and supportive and keep you well cushioned for long-distance travel while holding you in place when you check out the sedan’s performance capabilities.

And the seats can be heated or cooled.

On the plus side, two cars take the place of the rear-wheel-drive IS300 sedan. For ’06 there is an IS250, with the 250 for the 2.5-liter, 204-horsepower V-6, and the IS350, for the 3.5-liter, 306-h.p. V-6.

The IS250 is offered in rear- or all-wheel-drive for all-season motoring. Lexus offers AWD sport-utilities, but its only other AWD car is the GS300.

The IS250 comes with a choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with manual-mode shifting. The IS350 and AWD IS250 offer only the 6-speed automatic with paddle levers on the back of the steering wheel for Formula 1-type shifting.

We tested the IS250 with AWD. The 2.5-liter V-6 has a lot of spirit moving away from the light or pulling into the passing lane. And AWD means more sure-footed response to wheel input. Lexus is counting on the AWD IS250 to make up the bulk of IS sales in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

With AWD the 2.5-liter V-6 is rated at a respectable 22 m.p.g. city/28 m.p.g. highway. A higher mileage gas/electric isn’t planned, but the 3.5-liter V-6 in the IS350 will be the same engine used in the GS hybrid coming out next spring. So hybrid power is possible for the IS.

For added motoring security, the IS has vehicle stability control standard and joins the GS300 in offering a collision avoidance system with radar cruise control.

With the system, set cruise control and get a visual warning in the dash when coming too close to the vehicle ahead. The system won’t apply the brakes to prevent a collision, but when the driver does tap the pedal, it automatically applies the binders at full force in an attempt to prevent contact.

The system wasn’t on the test car, but would have added $2,850 to an already hefty $4,755 in options. Base price of the IS250 AWD is $34,285.

If torn between $2,850 for accident avoidance or $2,550 for a navigation system, we’d advise the accident avoidance system. Maps are far less costly than body shop bills.

Other noteworthy features include adaptive headlamps that turn in the direction of a curve to light the path, side-curtain air bags and front seat knee bags that deploy in a collision to keep you from submarining under the dash, power moonroof with a dial for a variety of pre-set openings and pull-out pockets in the front doors that hold maps and water bottles.

You also get a power sunshade for the rear window, a trunk pass-through into the cabin to accommodate skis, trunk and fuel-filler door release buttons in the dash, as well as ample room to store cell phones, coins, gloves or whatever under the center armrest. There’s a first-aid kit in the trunk.

Nice touch, except a first-aid kit belongs in the car where you can reach it immediately.

All that attention to detail andyet the wheel wells rob at least one suitcase of space in the trunk. Go figure.

For $194 you can add a preferred accessory package with a trunk cargo net that’s supposed to keep items from being tossed around. But the net has a propensity to attach itself to buttons, watches, jewelry, pens, cell phone, briefcase, purse–anything in your hands or on your body.

That $2,550 navigation system gives you voice-activated controls plus a rearview camera that uses the navi screen to show what’s behind when backing up. You get a clear and panoramic view of objects.

The test car also had power outside mirrors as part of a $2,205 luxury package. The mirrors automatically tilt down when backing up to show anything that may be along the sides. While sound in theory, the mirrors focus mostly on curbs and would be more useful to spot kids alongside if they didn’t tilt down.

The rear drive IS250 is one of two entry-level luxury cars at Lexus. The other, the front-wheel-drive ES330, is aimed at those who want luxury amenities and are more concerned with soft ride than pinpoint handling.

The IS250/350 are aimed at those who appreciate luxury amenities, but want more in terms of zero- to 60-m.p.h. performance and the ability to hold tight in corners and turns.

With AWD and 17-inch all-eason radials, the IS250 hugs the pavement and avoids excessive body lean in corners. However, the Infiniti G35 and Acura TL have better road manners.

The ES competes more with the Cadillac CTS and Mercedes C-Class while the IS competes against the TL, G35, BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.

Strictly personal: Birthday greetings to Twins No. 1 and No. 2 and daughter-in-law No. 1. Oh, and anniversary wishes to Twin No. 1 and hubby.

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2006 Lexus IS250 AWD

$39,234* Price as tested

WHEELBASE: 107.5 inches

LENGTH: 180.1 inches

ENGINE: 2.5-liter, 204-h.p. V-6

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic

CITY: 22 m.p.g.

HWY: 28 m.p.g.

THE STICKER

$34,285: Base

$2,550: Navigation system with rear back-up camera, Bluetooth and voice-activated controls

$2,550: Premium luxury package with perforated leather and heated/ventilated seats, 10-way power seats, reverse tilt-down outside mirrors, power rear sunshade, rain-sensing wipers, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and adaptive headlamps

$194: Preferred accessory pack with trunk mat, cargo net and wheel locks

* Add $590 for freight

PLUSES

– First remake of the rearwheel-drive sports sedan since the 2001 model year.

– Larger dimensions.

– AWD available for first time.

– Two new V-6 engines so it now is two different models.

– Pre-collision warning system a new option.

MINUSES

– Option packages quickly push the $34,000 entry-level luxury sedan into the $40,000 neighborhood.

– Tight leg and knee room in back seat.

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Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and Wednesday and Friday in Business. Hear him on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays.

jmateja@tribune.com