I haven't seen the latest MT awards, but doesn't MT issue Car of the Year awards to DOMESTIC vehicles, and Import Car of the Year to foreign nameplates?
Who knows, maybe the IS will win ICOY. Remember, the GS4 did it in '98.
But I totally agree with you on expectations. It is much harder for the Japanese company to build a revolutionary car these days. But Americans can design a "pretty good" car, and critics will party in the streets for months. You hit it on the head, that Americans can satisfy public opnion by doing a "good" job, when foreign makers have much higher standards.