Who’d have thunk- a ‘simple’ central command interface!
Now, a small central command system eliminates dozens of buttons and controls, leaving behind a simple and clean dash surface. It’s still very RX-esque, but a lot less complicated looking.
The Lexus central command system consists of a joystick and several small buttons. It's like BMW's iDrive system, but simpler-- and with a square 'trackball' apparatus instead of a knob. There's a learning curve involved, but if you can work a Nintendo Wii remote or an MP3 player, you’ll have it nailed in about 30 minutes.
The clever joystick system offers force feedback and clicks in response to on-screen buttons, letting drivers actually ‘feel’ their way around each menu. Very neat stuff. In fact, if mankind one day dismantles a crashed alien spacecraft, they'll likely discover something similar.
A proper premium cabin, mainly
Entry and exit remain easy, visibility is adequate, and the view ahead is confidence inspiring. Instruments are gorgeous, and the tester’s gadget-list included navigation, heated and chilled seats, a CD changer and a Bluetooth phone. Build quality and details are excellent, as is typical of the brand.
Soft leather meets the fingertips at nearly every touch point, too. The leather steering wheel is impossible not to constantly rub, and the door-mounted armrests and grab handles are the plushest you’ll ever repeatedly squish your fingers into.
Two complaints, though.
First, the vertically-oriented shifter looks out of place, low-tech and dorky compared to the rest of the cabin. Second, there’s a complete lack of at-hand power outlets to recharge your electronics on the go. The closest one I could find requires removal of the center console liner to access.
Now, a small central command system eliminates dozens of buttons and controls, leaving behind a simple and clean dash surface. It’s still very RX-esque, but a lot less complicated looking.
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| Combined horsepower output rises to 295. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
The Lexus central command system consists of a joystick and several small buttons. It's like BMW's iDrive system, but simpler-- and with a square 'trackball' apparatus instead of a knob. There's a learning curve involved, but if you can work a Nintendo Wii remote or an MP3 player, you’ll have it nailed in about 30 minutes.
The clever joystick system offers force feedback and clicks in response to on-screen buttons, letting drivers actually ‘feel’ their way around each menu. Very neat stuff. In fact, if mankind one day dismantles a crashed alien spacecraft, they'll likely discover something similar.
A proper premium cabin, mainly
Entry and exit remain easy, visibility is adequate, and the view ahead is confidence inspiring. Instruments are gorgeous, and the tester’s gadget-list included navigation, heated and chilled seats, a CD changer and a Bluetooth phone. Build quality and details are excellent, as is typical of the brand.
Soft leather meets the fingertips at nearly every touch point, too. The leather steering wheel is impossible not to constantly rub, and the door-mounted armrests and grab handles are the plushest you’ll ever repeatedly squish your fingers into.
Two complaints, though.
First, the vertically-oriented shifter looks out of place, low-tech and dorky compared to the rest of the cabin. Second, there’s a complete lack of at-hand power outlets to recharge your electronics on the go. The closest one I could find requires removal of the center console liner to access.
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| The leather steering wheel is impossible not to constantly rub, and the door-mounted armrests the plushest you’ll ever repeatedly squish your fingers into. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |