The GX 470 in its eight-seat configuration offers plenty of room and easy in/out at the 60/40 split second row, with a 50/50 split third seat accessible via the folding second seat. The third-row seats can either be folded up out of the way or removed and stored. What starts as a 13 cubic-foot cargo bay can be expanded in steps by folding or removing seats up to more than 77 cubic feet with the lightweight rear seats removed and the second row folded.

We were impressed by two things inside the GX 470: the quiet, and the use of space. At highway cruising speeds, the V8 is barely audible. A normal family of four with one large pet will feel right at home inside the GX, cosseted and comfortable with tall side windows affording a good view out. The quality of materials, fit, and finish, is excellent, and the cabin really works.

For the time being, the only options for the GX 470 are the navigation system, bundled with the Mark Levinson 240-watt sound system ($2700), the DVD entertainment system ($1560), and the third-seat package with rear air conditioning ($2030), a tow hitch receiver ($430), and the Lexus Link concierge service.

One of the beauties of driving any Lexus product is that everything is where it's supposed to be, and everything is clearly labeled. Even something as complex as a navigation system has been reduced to everyday equipment in the GX 470 because it was designed so well.

Our only functional criticism is aimed at the rear cargo compartment, which is accessed by opening the door from the side. We've grown so accustomed to a horizontally split tailgate or a top-hinged liftgate in this market segment that the door design just didn't feel natural to us anymore.