Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money for 2023
The best luxury small cars for the money are ranked based on an analysis of their price and potential lifespan, with the top-ranked models representing luxury small cars offering the longest life at the lowest price per 1,000 miles.
The best luxury small car for the money is the Volvo S60, with an average new car list price of $46,191 and a potential lifespan of 189,263 miles, resulting in a cost per 1,000 miles of $244. The best luxury small cars for the money offer a cost per 1,000 miles of potential lifespan at or below $381, while average luxury small cars cost $282 per 1,000 miles.
The best luxury small car for the money is the Volvo S60, with an average new car list price of $46,191 and a potential lifespan of 189,263 miles, resulting in a cost per 1,000 miles of $244. The best luxury small cars for the money offer a cost per 1,000 miles of potential lifespan at or below $381, while average luxury small cars cost $282 per 1,000 miles.
1. Volvo S60
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Price per 1k Miles $244.06
- Potential Lifespan: 189.3K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 8.7 / 10
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Value Retention 6.8 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
2. Lexus IS 350
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Price per 1k Miles $256.98
- Potential Lifespan: 195.8K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 8.9 / 10
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Value Retention 9.0 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
3. Lexus IS 300
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Price per 1k Miles $262.60
- Potential Lifespan: 172.6K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 8.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.9 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
4. Audi A4
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Price per 1k Miles $275.19
- Potential Lifespan: 173.9K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 8.6 / 10
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Value Retention 7.7 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
5. BMW 3 Series
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Price per 1k Miles $284.20
- Potential Lifespan: 179.4K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.7 / 10
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Value Retention 7.7 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
6. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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Price per 1k Miles $290.52
- Potential Lifespan: 173K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 8.4 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
7. Audi A5 (coupe)
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Price per 1k Miles $323.88
- Potential Lifespan: 166.9K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 8.3 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety Not Available
8. Audi S4
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Price per 1k Miles $380.51
- Potential Lifespan: 165.8K Miles
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 8.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Acura ILX
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
Audi A3
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
Audi S3
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 6.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
Lexus IS 500
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 9.0 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
Genesis G70
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
Audi A5 Sportback
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 6.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
BMW 2 Series
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
BMW M3
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Lexus RC 300
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 9.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (coupe)
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
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Reliability 7.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Mercedes-Benz CLA
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.9 / 10
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Safety Not Available
BMW 4 Series (coupe)
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Lexus RC 350
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 6.0 / 10
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Value Retention 9.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Audi S5 Sportback
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety Not Available
INFINITI Q50
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.2 / 10
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Value Retention 7.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Alfa Romeo Giulia
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 6.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
BMW 2 Series (coupe)
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 5.8 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
BMW 4 Series
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 5.8 / 10
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Audi RS 3
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Audi RS 5 Sportback
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Cadillac CT4
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Cadillac CT4-V
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Price per 1k Miles Not Available
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Related Safest Cars
How We Rank These Cars
The Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money list is ranked by the price per 1,000 miles of use for each vehicle based on how many miles the car can last.
iSeeCars analyzed over 2 million cars to determine how many miles each car can potentially last. Then we calculated the price per 1,000 miles of lifespan based on the average new car price of each vehicle. In the event two or more vehicles have the same price per 1k miles, we use iSeeCars proprietary rating of the overall quality of the car (iSeeCars Score) to break the tie.
The overall iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability | 33.3%
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention | 33.3%
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety | 33.3%
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).