Lexus has just had its tenth birthday in the UK. I remember when the first LS400 arrived, the magazine I was working on caused a bit of bother by putting the new executive supersaloon in with Toyota in the price listings, along with Starlets, Corollas and Carinas. The chaps in the newly-formed Lexus marketing department were not best pleased.

Since then, of course, the Lexus has proved that while it may be the luxury wing of the Toyota motor company, its machines have a lot more substance to them than tarted-up Toyotas with flash badges. There are now four models in total. The baby is the fun-to-drive - if underpowered - IS200. Although it gets a new engine this month, the GS300 is showing its age now, while the RX300 off-roader has just arrived in the UK and is group tested in this issue. Finally there's this: the all-new, third-generation flagship LS430. The new LS lacks neither bulk nor presence. So it may not look as cool as an Audi A8 or as sleek as a Mercedes S-class, but this design has at least done something to redress the blandness of the previous two models. Those IS200-inspired headlamps have sharpened up the front and, while the side still looks stodgy, this LS's face looks youthful.

The result of the front-end styling is not only a better-looking car, but one that is also aerodynamic. It is claimed that the LS430 has the lowest Cd value of any of its luxury-class rivals. The conventional, coil-suspension model has a Cd figure of 0.26. Adding the air-suspension - standard on the top model - which lowers the car at speed, reduces the Cd rating to 0.25. Oddly, though, on our test run, on a not-very-windy day, we noticed a touch more wind noise from the front pillars than we might have anticipated.

The new 4293cc V8 may have 32 valves, double twin-camshafts, 281bhp at 5,600rpm and 207lb ft of torque at 3,600rpm, but when it's fired up and idling, it seems as if it's not really there at all. It glides along making about as much fuss and noise as a hybrid Toyota Prius running on electric power. The new Lexus 430 is not the ecological showcase that the Prius is, but it's only fair to point out that while the engine has grown in capacity over its four-litre predecessor, it's now also lighter and marginally more fuel efficient. Happily, out on the open road, it goes a bit too.

For a car that weighs 1,920kg, the big LS430 is able to hoik up its skirts and make a run for it. Toyota's variable valve timing system (VVT-i) may be fitted to the humblest little Yaris, but that doesn't mean it can't do a good job on an engine like this by ensuring an even spread of pulling power through the rev range. The five-speed auto 'box is responsive and the claimed 0-62mph of 6.7secs feels believable.

Beyond 60mph there's bags of strong acceleration left, yet no raucousness. Mechanically, there probably isn't a more civilised machine to lose your licence in. But it'd be better if your chauffeur lost his licence instead.

Anyone with a passion for driving might prefer to leave the driving to the man in the peaked cap anyway. Ultra-civilised and competent the Lexus may be, but massively rewarding it is not. It is sure and stable through long, open bends, yet its steering and chassis lack the feel, involvement and fun that you'll find in an Audi A8.

In fact, why not forsake the steering wheel and just relax in the roomy rear cabin and enjoy the ride, which apart from ever so occasionally being caught out by sharp motorway ridges, does a superb job of syrupping up whatever is thrown at it. And while your chauffeur follows the state-of-the-art, European-wide DVD navigation system, you can just lap up the luxury. The basic model will sell for just under £50k with the higher spec Premium Pack set to go for slightly less that £54,000. Opt for the Premium Pack and you will be able to set the reclining electric back seat just so, sip a little something stored at the right temperature in the air-conditioned coolbox, listen to whatever you like on the Mark Levinson audio system and ease away the aches of the day with the electric massaging back seat. Steering feel and feedback? Initial turn-in? Driving? I'm beginning to believe they may all be rather overrated concepts.

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