With the navigation system installed (optional in the LS 460, standard in the LS 460 L), 13.9GB of the nav system's 30GB hard drive makes itself available for storing music recorded from the CD drive. Sound quality is excellent from any position in the car.

Both models offer heated, power-reclining, and climate-controlled rear seats, but the Executive Class Seating Package combines all lesser options and adds a power right rear seat with a footrest that can recline up to 45 degrees (instead of the mere 28 of other packages) and features multimode power massage via one of two remote controls.

We took a short drive in the LS 460 L on highways and secondary roads. The ride was superbly quiet and refined. Unexpectedly, however, the new LS handled in a very responsive, European manner, even in long-wheelbase form. The LS 460 L felt much smaller than its 202.8-inch long, 4,332-pound size on the road. Unlike its predecessors, the new LS thrives on spirited driving. It's quick and fast, with a 0 to 60 time of 5.4 seconds given by Lexus, and a top speed electronically limited to 130mph.