2007 Lexus LS

You'll like this car if the latest gadgetry and dozens of control buttons, double-layered on the steering wheel, turn you on. The available pre-collision system, radar cruise control and 11 airbags can engender trust.

You may not like this car if you can't shake the habit of using a key to start the engine instead of a dashboard button. Otherwise, except for the price, what's not to like?

Despite a weight of 4,332 pounds, reaching cruising speed in the LS460 L is swift and effortless. The manual sequential shift responds instantly, engine and wind noise are negligible, the navigation system is an encyclopedia of possibilities and the Mark Levinson audio system is superb. The LS460 L delivers some of the most carefree driving experiences you can reasonably expect in such a large car, hard cornering and steep hills barely challenge its power, performance and stability and the sense of secureness and safety is enhanced by its sheer size. Once you learn how everything functions, the LS460 L is a joy to drive.

Lexus' skill for building prestigious sedans is never more evident than with the LS460 L. With an interior design targeted at the CEO or the retired executive and friends, the five-seater LS460 L also suits the long-distance commuter who requires all the trappings of comfort, calm, safety, performance and surround-sound. The wood trim, perforated leather orthopedic seats and function buttons near your fingertips combine to provide a sumptuous and spacious interior. Although wide C-pillars tend to obstruct vision to the rear corners, activating the back-up camera gives a clear view.

Finessing the exterior lines of a full-size long wheelbase sedan without sacrificing gracefulness is accomplished with artistry on the LS460 L. With the long-hood, short-deck theme already seen on the IS, GS and ES models, the LS460 L, while breaking no new ground, features a bold hoodline that sweeps back to the curving roof, which then flows sleekly into the trunk lid. Rounded grille and headlamps and corner taillights meld smoothly into the overall design, presenting a modern, contemporary look. The rear doors open extra wide, the trunk seems large enough for a hot tub and heated outside mirrors fold in automatically when the car is parked.

The lengthy list of standard equipment includes a front seat that reclines to almost bed-level, a tri-lingual navigation system, Bluetooth, XM Satellite Radio and back-up cameras. The engine utilizes VVT-iE, which monitors engine behavior as speeds increase or decrease, maximizing fuel efficiency and improving performance, and the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system ensures that braking, steering and acceleration are in sync for stability and traction control.

Options include Advanced Parking Guidance, which directs parallel parking by controlling the steering wheel while the driver controls the brake, a Pre-Collision system and Dynamic Cruise Control. The Executive Package includes the world's first ceiling outlets for air and heat, a rear entertainment system and a fold-out wooden table for working road warriors. Rear riders can relax on a 45-degree recliner with leg rest and multi-function massage.