A MOST COMFORTABLE YEAR; Our time being coddled by the Lexus LS 460 L ends.(News)

Byline: NATALIE NEFF

The Audi S6 we picked up last June gets dibs on most spirited weekend drives, while our Nissan Altima mainly settles for airport shuttling and grocery getting. The Acura MDX sees plenty of hockey games and the occasional campground, while the Jaguar XKR convertible is nabbed by staffers with valet-staffed events to attend.

But when it comes to extended, over-the-road, full-zoot, family-vacation luxury, our long-term Lexus LS 460 L can't get enough.

Or it couldn't. We turned in the keys in December, and the bigger bummer is that we've yet to figure out what can equal its long-haul abilities.

What makes the Lexus perfect for road trips are its ultrasealed cabin and a ride as plush as that of an old-school Caddy. That is to say, it couldn't be smoother or quieter.

"The LS is a terrific cruiser, but a great driver? Not so much,'' said one editor. "It loves the open highway, and it gobbles up miles faster than my kid eats Skittles. On a long road trip, you really appreciate a quiet ride, and few cars are quieter than this big Lexus. And the sound system rocks; with all the choices of XM at your fingertips, finding something to listen to is easy. For this trip, I used the navigation system, and XM traffic alerted me to a couple of construction tie-ups. Very nice.''

Besides that nav system and XM satellite radio, our smoke-gray Lexus had options galore. A luxury group added power-adjustable and climate- controlled rear seats, while a rear-seat upgrade package included four-zone climate controls, a cool box for beverages, power sunshades and audio controls. On top of that, we added the air suspension, an upgraded Mark Levinson audio system and the well-advertised advanced parking guidance system.