Though it's classified as a 2+2, the SC is really a roomy two-seater.
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| Trunk is small, but rear seats compensate. A retractable cover keeps your luggage out of harm's way from the roof. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
You sit in big, cushy chairs and there's plenty of leg, head and elbow room separating the driver from the passenger. The story's not so good for those in back. I'm not a particularly big person, but even after maneuvering the electric chair into my typically upright driving position, the legroom left over wasn't even enough for my small, squishy camera bag. The 'dog seats' are really of the two-minute emergency sort, there to ensure that one of your kid's friends won't get left stranded at the mall. They're also a good, plush source of additional space when you've filled up the trunk's shallow 368 liter trunk. Don't plan on bringing much along if it's a nice day, as when the roof's folded away, only 135 litres remain - enough space for a nicely folded towel, and a beach bag containing bathing suit and sunblock.
And while you're probably thinking that I've been spoiled by brand new,
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| Automatic gearbox gains a cog with winter and power modes, plus a manumatic function. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
high-end luxury vehicles with the latest gizmos and gadgets, you're right, I have. And with that experience I'm able to say that the SC doesn't feel as if it's on the cutting edge. You get keyless entry, but it's not one of those clever 'smart' keys that automatically unlocks the car without ever being removed from your pocket. It's also got a big, power-operated antenna for the radio, a cassette deck, and plenty of Toyota-sourced switchgear (which will never break). Nor does it have ventilated seats, or reverse sensors or cameras. All of these features, ironically can be had on Lexus' smallest car, the IS compact luxury sedan. I'm sure that a high-flying connoisseur, its intended audience, would probably wonder why they're absent on the full-load SC.
Lexus is once again be offering the Pebble Beach Limited Edition for 2006, which includes exclusive Tigereye Mica exterior paint, Espresso-coloured wood trim, camel-coloured leather, custom-fitted leather luggage set and floor mats. It's a limited edition vehicle, and comes with a price tag of $93,850.
