1997 Lexus LS 400 World-Class spoken here. By Trish Robb, New Car Test Drive .com

The Lexus LS 400 is the ultimate Japanese

car. And to Baby Boomers, who grew up with Corollas, Camrys, Civics and

Accords, it may be the ultimate of all luxury cars. Aiming at a market

slot between the prestige Europeans and the traditional American offerings,

Toyota's luxury division created a uniquely elegant luxury car that is

just what many upwardly mobile Boomers want.

The LS 400 offers a quieter, more comfortable ride than more aggressive

German luxury cars, and a more compact size and better handling than its

American counterparts. It's almost exactly the same size as a Ford Taurus

sedan. And to put its performance in perspective, think about it this way:

the LS 400 won't give you quite the same response as a BMW 540i or Mercedes

E420 on a winding mountain road, but it's close--closer than any Cadillac

or Lincoln. And it will match or beat any car for quiet and comfort on

the road.

And for durability and reliability, it is unmatched--as everyone has

come to expect from Toyota, the world's acknowledged leader in quality.

This is the second generation LS 400, with an improved V8 engine and

every amenity you'd expect to find on a luxury car that sells for over

$50,000.

It's a lot of money. No car has seen its price escalate as quickly during

the '90s. On the other hand it is world-class in its quality and comfort.