As I live day to day with my new daily driver (2007 Lexus LS460L), I keep getting more and more spoiled with almost everything it has to offer.
Two options in particular that I'm really digging on is the XM traffic-based navigation system with live updates and the radar based cruise control.
The Acura RL was the first car to offer the live traffic update nav system and now Lexus, Infiniti, BMW/MINI and others are now starting to offer it.
Once you have it, you won't want to go back...especially if your commute is in a dense traffic area like Southern California.
I got to experience the benefits firsthand the other day on my way to L.A. on the I-5. (See accompanying photo gallery of the system in action)
The nav system chimed in that it had updated traffic info and did I want to display it…so I said yes.
It then showed me the upcoming traffic slowdown and asked me if I wanted the system to route me around it and I did.
It then provided me with an alternative route which brought me around the slowdown and then got my back on the I-5 just past it, so I could continue on my merry way.
I estimate it saved me almost 45 minutes which is not too shabby.
Plus the radar cruise made it easy to take the numerous slowdowns and speed ups on the highway.
The more I drive the new LS, the more pleasurable it becomes!
Stay tuned for further updates of my experiences in the new Lexus LS!
I can't wait to test the Clear Channel version on the BMW's to see how it compares.
If you're thinking about buying a car with a navigation system we recommend you don't buy it unless it has integrated live traffic updates.
Be sure to ask your dealer if the car you are considering it offers the system.
You'll be sorry if you don't!