It comes standard with many of the same luxury and convenience features found in higher-priced Lexus sedans: handsome, high-quality leather upholstery with wood trim, automatic dual-zone climate control with interior air filter, power windows with auto up/down and jam protection, a power moonroof, and an AM/FM/CD/cassette system with 86 watts and seven speakers.

Options include a 240-watt Mark Levinson audio system, six-disc CD changer and XM Satellite Radio. Other options include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control and Brake Assist; Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS); DVD satellite navigation; power-adjustable pedals with memory; power rear sunshade; high-intensity discharge headlamps with rain-sensing wipers; heated and ventilated front seats; wood steering wheel and shift knob; and 17-inch wheels and tires.

New for 2006 is the ES 330 Black Diamond Edition, a package ($600) that features exclusive Black Diamond paint, black Birdseye maple wood trim, and other distinctive touches and includes an exclusive Tumi luggage set.

Safety was a top priority when designing the ES 330. Standard passive safety equipment includes dual front airbags (mandated), seat-mounted side-impact airbags (for torso protection), and front and rear side-curtain airbags (for head protection). Three-point seatbelts are provided for all five seating positions; be sure to wear them as they are your first line of defense in a crash. The front seats are designed to help reduce whiplash. The outboard rear seatbelts are fitted with force limiters and pre-tensioners. To help the driver avoid accidents in the first place, the ES 330 comes standard with such active safety features as anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Optional Vehicle Stability Control is designed to improve driver control by reducing skidding in turns.

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