Lots of leather, tasteful applications of wood, thick carpeting and a refined overall design provide a pleasant environment inside the GS 430. It manages to feel roomy and cozy at the same time. However, the combination of a high dashboard and low headliner inspired a bit of claustrophobia in some of us. Keeping the sunshade for the moonroof drawn back lightens and brightens the cabin substantially.
The GS 430 instrument panel is a refreshing departure from other designs from Japan. Turn on the ignition, and a black panel illuminates to reveal gauges with black markings on white faces, all lit from the rear. The intensity of the backlighting automatically varies with ambient light. The gauges are handsome, creatively designed and easy to read. The compass in the rear-view mirror is a nice touch.

The remote releases for the fuel tank and trunk, located low on the left side of the dash, are initially hard to find. And the center armrest obscures the seat-heat buttons. Audio and climate controls are logically laid out and easy to use, with separate heating and cooling settings for driver and passenger. A hydrocarbon sensor automatically switches to the system into recirculation mode, blocking contaminated air from entering the cabin.
An optional touch-screen fills the center of the dash, and also handles stereo and climate control functions. The Navigation System Package ($4,520) includes everything in the previously mentioned Premium Package, and adds the Lexus DVD-based navigation system, which is even faster for 2002.

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The Mark Levinson stereo costs $5,945 on the GS 300, and $3,770 on the GS 430. The standard audio setup in the GS is already very good, but the eight-speaker, ultra-powerful Levinson leviathan is a must if you are a music lover. Plus, it comes with an in-dash, six-CD changer, which is far more convenient than fiddling with the standard six-CD magazine that mounts in the glove box. The Mark Levinson audio can be bundled together with the Navigation System in a single package that costs $2,500 less than if you ordered them separately.

Opening and closing the power windows and moonroof is a one-touch operation. A sensor stops the window or roof panel and warns the driver when anything (such as a child or pet) is blocking its path. The supplied keyless remote can be used to operate the windows and/or moonroof auto-matically, depending on the season. A hidden electric garage-door opener can be programmed for nearly all frequencies.
The view out the front of the GS 430 is excellent, but the rear view is restricted somewhat by the rear headrests and wide C-pillars. Lexus GS models come standard with seat-mounted side-impact airbags.

The trunk lid raises a full 90 degrees, and the lift-over height is low for easy loading and unloading. At 14.8 cubic feet, cargo capacity is comparable to that of other cars of its size.