When I was a kid I wanted to be an airline stewardess when I grew up. What did I know. Now I think I want to be an executive. An executive where, you say? It doesn’t matter, as long as I can have a 2012 Lexus LS 460. This is a sweet ride any way you cut it.

The 2012 Lexus LS 460 had a major re-design in 2007, but sees few changes for 2012. All Lexus LS 460 models have a 4.6-liter V8 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive versions have a 380-hp V8, and all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions have 357 hp. The LS 460 is rated at 16 mpg city/23 highway and requires premium-grade gas. But then, it offers a premium experience. Its ride is smooth and commanding with an almost silent, isolated driving experience. If you are expecting a truly sporty driving encounter in a luxury sedan, this isn’t it. If, however, you want luxurious, quiet travel while bathed in leather and wood, this car is for you.

The Lexus LS 460 comes in four trims for 2012. In addition to the Base LS 460, there is the LS 460 AWD; the LS 460 L, which has a 5-inch longer wheelbase; and the LS 460 L AWD. There are several upgrade packages available: Sport, Special Edition Sport, Comfort, Comfort Plus and Executive Class Seating, which reduces rear seating from 3 to 2 passengers.

The Sport Package includes Brembo brakes, 19-inch forged alloy spoke wheels with summer tires, Variable Gear Ratio Steering, a sport-tuned suspension, sport exterior trim and grille, black and tan perforated leather interior trim, sport front seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters.

The Comfort Package comes with wood and a leather heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated climate-comfort front seats, heated rear seats, intuitive parking assist, a power rear sunshade, power door closers, power rear trunk open and close, and headlamp washers. The Comfort Plus adds a semi-aniline leather interior, power-adjustable butterfly headrests and memory, power lumbar massage (hello!) and four-way adjustable outboard rear seats, and to protect those now completely relaxed passengers, rear-seat side airbags. A Rear Seat Upgrade Package that is something you would expect from the most premium of luxury sedans includes an air purifier, cool box, audio controls and power rear-door sunshades. You can even get a drop-down DVD screen with sliding wood table controls. Yes, I definitely want to be an executive.

The cabin is sumptuous at any package level, and controls and gauges are uncomplicated and easy to use. Seating is very roomy for front passengers and the driver, and visibility and sightlines are good in all directions. The rear seats are spacious, especially in the longer trims, and all but the middle seat – which is over the drivetrain hump – are very comfortable. The trunk is a little awkward and surprisingly small, but interior storage is good in the form of door pockets, front and rear cupholders, a roomy center console and a large glovebox.

Lexus safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front-side airbags, rear-side airbags, curtain-side airbags and front-knee airbags. Also available are a tire pressure monitoring system and an advance pre-collision system that prepares the brake assist in the event of an unavoidable impact. Optional features include a lane-departure warning system that alerts the driver and can auto-correct if the car’s path drifts out of its lane, and Lexus' Enform system with Safety Connect, which is an OnStar-like assistance system with safety, security and emergency-response features. Enform is a subscription service, and a 1-year free subscription is included. Also standard for all Lexus LS 460 trims is the SmartAccess feature, which locks and unlocks your doors and trunk and will even start the car without you ever having to take out your key. It detects the presence of your SmartAccess key, and all you have to do is touch the handle and bingo!

The 2012 Lexus LS 460 is an amenity-filled car that isn't for everyone, but if you want some extravagance, this could be it.