Braking performance? I have nothing overly negative to report in this department, although the Lucerne's ABS-enhanced four-wheel discs felt a bit spongy compared to the Avalon's

Tracy, I was in love with you from grade 3 to 7... (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

setup, and when called upon seemed to perform less adequately than others in this class; although I didn't have a tape measure out so I can't personally say if the CXS beats its competition or not. I checked around the net for some specific results and only one reputable publisher had anything to say, Edmunds.com, commenting that it wasn't happy with the results but not stating the actual stopping distances.

So while its braking capability might not make it best-in-class for avoiding potential accidents, nor its handling, for that matter, if you do happen to hit something the Lucerne should put up a pillowy barrier of potentially lifesaving

.... but Naomi, you were my favourite high school girlfriend, and not just because of your dad's big, blue Cordoba. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

airbags. It gets the usual two frontal bags, although the front passenger unit features GM's new dual-depth technology that restrains front-seat passengers in a greater variety of seating and crash situations than conventional dual-stage airbags (see the news for Feb 9, 2005, GM Introduces World's First Dual Depth Frontal Airbag). Additionally it has a full assortment of side-impact thorax airbags for all outer occupants, and roof-rail side-curtain airbags along each side of the cabin.

Standard features in mind I love its integrated XM satellite radio; I'd choose satellite radio over MP3/WMA compatibility or an external iPod jack any day, although the CXS comes with

Music meant more to me when I went to this junior high, but I still like to crank the volume on a classic tune, or better yet, Audioslave or Radiohead. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

MP3 playback plus speed-compensated audio control and nine Harmon Kardon speakers mated up to a 280-watt amp of the same lineage. A six-disc, in-dash CD changer is available, and was included in my tester. I found setting radio station presets non-intuitive, though, and working the myriad of steering wheel buttons a bit overwhelming, although I'm sure a little time spent with the manual and all would be clear. Still, the sound quality never really impressed me, surprising as I've enjoyed OEM H-K applications before. Its preset equalization parameters never seemed to fit each genre the way I thought they should, and even when switching around from classical, rock, jazz, or any number of additional settings, my various test CDs

The driver's seat looks good, but for my frame I couldn't get comfortable. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

didn't sound as rich and deep as with other audio systems in this class. Alas, I've been told I'm a difficult guy to satisfy.

I suppose I felt the same way about the Lucerne CSX driver's seat. Sure it's multi-adjustable via eight ways, with four-way lumbar support adjustment (and two-driver memory), but I still couldn't get comfortable. Its seatback must have been formed to accommodate someone else's frame, as it pushed out where I didn't like it to and sunk in where I needed support, and speaking of support it lacked a great deal where side bolsters should have been, so I always felt uncomfortably exposed, and when pushing the car's limits in the corners, had to use my arms to hold my butt and back in place so that I wouldn't flop around in my seat. I don't know how you drive, but I find I get much greater control out of a car when both arms are relaxed with hands resting on the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions.