The 2006 Lexus GX 470 is offered in a single, fully equipped trim level ($46,535). It's packed with luxury features, including leather-trimmed upholstery, power seats, power mirrors, power windows, a wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated seats, rain-sensing wipers, automatic dual climate control, HomeLink®, a 115V AC power outlet in the cargo area, AM/FM/cassette/6-disc CD changer with 11 speakers, rear seat audio system with remote control and headphones, roof rack, a glass moonroof, and illuminated running boards.

Power is provided by Lexus's excellent 4.7-liter V8 and five-speed automatic transmission. And as we've come to expect from Lexus, plenty of advanced technology is standard is well: anti-lock brakes, traction control, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Torsen® limited-slip center differential, and Adaptive Variable Suspension with adjustable height control. The GX 470 rides on 265/65SR17 tires on 17-inch alloy wheels.

Options are few: third-row seat with rear air conditioning ($2,030); navigation system with Mark Levinson® stereo ($3,050); rear-seat entertainment system with two headphones ($1,560); tow hitch receiver ($50); rear spoiler ($551). Bluetooth® is also available allowing the driver to wirelessly link compatible cellular telephones to the GX for hands-free communication.

Lexus Link ($900), which comes with a one-year subscription, combines GPS satellite and cellular phone technology to connect the driver to experienced Lexus advisers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Roadside assistance, stolen vehicle tracking, and remote door unlocking are among the services provided. The system automatically dispatches emergency services if you press a panic button or if the airbags are deployed and you fail to respond to the operator's call.

The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System ($1,750) uses electronically controlled hydraulic cylinders to vary the degree of roll resistance provided by the front and rear stabilizer bars. This package includes a dark graphite finish for the wheels and roof rack, and black bird's-eye maple wood and dark graphite metallic trim inside.

Safety features come standard, including advanced front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats (for torso protection in a side impact), and side-curtain airbags (for head protection in a side impact or rollover). Three-point seatbelts are provided for each seating position, and the front belts are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters to help minimize seatbelt-related injuries. Always wear your seatbelts as they're the most important safety feature on the vehicle. A tire pressure monitoring system also comes standard.

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