The clean instrument panel features easy-to-read analog gauges with white backgrounds. In addition to the usual indicator lights, Lexus has provided an exterior temperature gauge and an information display that covers fuel mileage, driving range and average speed. But the digital radio and climate-control displays are difficult to read in bright sunlight. The crumb-sized green light that indicates that the air conditioning is on is undetectable in the bright of day.

The glove compartment contains a trunk lock, as well as releases for the trunk lid and fuel door. The rearview mirror is a self-dimming (electrochromic) unit, with a digital compass. The console holds a storage box with a power outlet inside, and two cup holders with adjustable rings. There's a purse hanger in the front passenger footwell, and two retractable coat hooks in the rear.

The standard fabric seats offer 10-way power adjustment for the driver and eight-way adjustment for the front-seat passenger. The shape and construction of the front seats is borrowed from the Lexus flagship LS 430. The seats are very comfortable and the seating position is excellent, with lots of front-seat legroom. There are good places to brace your limbs, and a big dead pedal for your left foot. Our loaded test model came with the plush Regency leather, which is nice, but its slippery surface allowed our upper body to slide a bit in aggressive corners.

The current ES 300 is a bit larger than the previous-generation model, inside and out. Front and rear headroom are increased by 1.7 and 1.4 inches, respectively, while rear legroom has grown from 34.4 to 35.6 inches. Somehow front legroom suffered, however, shrinking from 43.5 to 42.2 inches. And despite the increased height, there doesn't seem to be an abundance of headroom; a 5-foot, 10-inch driver can touch the headliner by stretching a bit. The slope of the rear window doesn't allow a panoramic view, though it still fills the rearview mirror. The mirror is mounted so close to the headliner that adjusting it requires an awkward grab at its bottom edge.

According to Lexus, the optional third-generation DVD navigation system is state-of-the-art, designed for intuitive operation. A tilt screen and simplified graphics contribute to easier on-the-road viewing, and the system can provide multiple routes to multiple destinations for those so intuitively inclined. Route calculation is twice as fast as in pre-2002 models, and voice guidance directs you back to the route if you blow it. The database also contains the location of airports, banks, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and even ATMs.