Inside is a beautiful driving environment with rich wood accents and buttery soft leather trim, seats so comfortable that you never think about them, and controls that are a paragon of ergonomic excellence. Every convenience feature imaginable is provided and, for the most part, those features are easy to operate. In every way, the LS 430 is the hassle-free luxury car. It may not have the cache of a BMW or Mercedes, but it's far easier to operate than the 7 Series and it's more up to date than the aging S-Class.

Safety is state-of-the-art. Every LS 430 comes with no less than eight airbags, plus seatbelts with pre-tensioners. Its headlights swivel to help drivers see around corners. An optional Pre-Collision Safety System actually anticipates accidents, preemptively tightening the front seat belts and pre-arming the Brake Assist. Also optional are a backup camera for seeing what's behind you, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control that maintains a set following distance from the car ahead. Other high-tech options like Bluetooth and SmartAccess allow you to unlock the doors, start the car, drive off, and make hands-free phone calls without even pulling your key or your cell phone out of your pocket or purse.

The LS changed the rules for luxury car ownership when it was originally introduced, combining quality, technology, dependability and excellent dealer service, and that continues today. Lexus has been the highest-ranking brand in the J.D. Power and Associates dependability study for more than a decade; based on surveys of owners, the study named the LS 430 the most problem-free car in its class after three years of ownership. The LS 430 is also a perennial leader in the firm's Initial Quality Study, which surveys buyers after 90 days of ownership.