Lexus has done a real good job with the RX400h navigational system. This navigational system communicates with the Global Positioning System array of satellites (provided by the U.S. Defense Department) to provide driving location and directions. Most of my friends are impressed with the user interface of the Lexus RX400h’s navigational system. On my road trip to Vancouver, my friends and I nicknamed my RX400h’s navigational system - Navi. And for some reason it took on a female persona due to excess of testosterone in the car (4 guys). Also, a female name was more befitting to a navigational system with a female voice.

The navigational system utilizes a touch screen. This touch screen is pretty responsive. Its usability is aided by an elegant button layout with minimal buttons. It has 7 buttons along the bottom of the screen. The buttons are simply:

1. MAP/VOICE - pushing it repeats voice guidance and displays the current position on the map
2. DEST - this button conveniently accesses the “Destination” screen which allows you to set your destination
3. MENU - this button lets you access the menu screen which allows you to suspend guidance, set the volume of “Navi,” select a preset user, access your address memory bank and access the navigation setup feature
4. INFO - this button lets you access real-time information on how power is being directed in the hybrid synergy drive. It also allows you to get real-time miles per gallon information.
5. CLIMATE - this buttons accesses the air conditioner controls
6. DISPLAY - this buttons allows you to set the screen brightness, contrast and even shut the touch screen off
7. CLOCK - this button displays the time/date information

Here are some highlights about the Lexus RX400h’s navigational system:

• The touch-screen lets you scroll around with one touch of the screen in map mode
• You can set your route preferences before and during your trip. This allows you to disable/enable certain preferences such as allowing disallowing use of freeways, time restricted roads, ferries, toll roads and season restricted roads
• The navigational system auto completes what you type when inputting using the full alpha-numeric/symbol touch screen keyboard. This is accomplished by not letting you select letters that make no sense when entering a city or street in the area you are in. For example, if I was in a certain location and there were no streets that had “Fz” as the first two letters, the “z” would not be available to press after inputting the “F.”
• In map mode, you can mark points and add them to your destination. You can also re-order the destinations you choose and the navigation system will calculate the trip.
• You can set your driving preferences beforehand (such as highway, main street and residential speeds). This allows for more accurate estimates of time for your trip!
• You can program detours in your trip of up to 1, 2 or 3 miles.
• You can store up to 160 addresses in the navigational system. These can later be easily accessed and set as your destination
• You can search for a destination(s) via address, point of interest name, point of interest category or intersection (plus more ways). You can also input them by marking the map, designating a freeway exit, longitude and latitude coordinates and by phone number!
• A nice soothing voice forewarns you for upcoming changes in direction. Plus a zoomed preview map also appears to warn you know where to turn or proceed.
• You can display points of interest in the map. This is a VERY cool feature if you are looking for gas stations, eateries, museums etc. There are over 30 points of interest categories to select from. You are allowed to multi-select point of interest categories and display them on the map.
• Point of Interest icons, that appear on the map (see above) can be selected whereupon, their address and phone number appear. If you have a Bluetooth phone and have properly hooked it up to your Lexus RX400h, you can even press a button and initiate a call to that point of interest (provided there is a telephone number registered).
• The navigation system allows you to view and select different routes to your destination based time, highway miles or street miles.
• For some zoomed map locations, you can even see the outlines of buildings.

The navigation screen also has other functionality such as a calendar and a feature that lets you keep track of when to service or replace certain car parts (tires, oil, etc.).

My only gripe with this system is that the interface is limited when you are actually driving. The navigation system senses when the car is moving and doesn’t let you search for addresses or set destinations. You are limited to using the map feature to scroll or mark destination points on the map. I can see how Lexus chose to disable certain distracting features so as to prevent accidents but I am wondering if they ever considered that a passenger might want to use it while the driver is driving - DUH!!! You are allowed to save 6 addresses that can be quickly selected while driving. Overall, I am very impressed with the navigation system despite this limitation.