New Lexus LS 460 Review

For more than 20 years, Lexus' LS has showcased the brand's top levels of technology, interior furnishings and driving refinement. The Lexus LS 460 is the latest model in this well-known premium luxury sedan line, boasting a supremely smooth V8, an eight-speed automatic transmission, handsome styling, impeccable fit and finish and, for the first time, an extended-wheelbase model. Known as the LS 460 L, this extra-large LS provides significantly more legroom for rear-seat passengers and competes directly against similar extended-wheelbase models offered by European luxury-brand automakers.

At the same time, Lexus has managed to make the most of the LS 460's technology intuitive, with most major functions controlled by good-ol' buttons and a touchscreen. Considering that these cars are often purchased by an older demographic, this is good news since the interfaces in competing models can be bewildering for even the most tech-savvy members of the Internet generation. For anyone interested in a large luxury sedan, the LS 460 deserves serious consideration.

Current Lexus LS 460
The Lexus LS 460 is a full-size luxury sedan available in regular 460 and extended-wheelbase 460 L body styles. Most of the features you'd expect in this upper echelon of automobiles can be found in this Lexus flagship, while several options packages load on more high-tech stuff. Some of these features include a hard drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic and a back-up camera, heated and cooled front seats, adaptive cruise control, regular park assist and the fancier Advanced Parking Guidance System. The LS 460 L offers an available air suspension and a package that drops rear seat capacity to two passengers and adds a rear center console with cooled storage, reclining climate-controlled seats, ottomans and a DVD entertainment system.

As its name would suggest, the LS 460 is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that sends 380 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available performance options include all-wheel drive and a Sport package, which includes bigger wheels, summer tires, upgraded brakes, a sport-tuned suspension and slightly different body styling. In our instrumented testing, the LS 460 went from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds -- on par with rivals in this segment. The heavier Lexus LS 460 L is a few tenths slower.

In our reviews of the Lexus LS 460, we've found it to be impressively quiet. Drivers and passengers are coddled in a cocoon of luxurious serenity. That peace does create an isolated feeling that kills some involvement between car and driver -- this can be viewed as a good or bad thing depending on your point of view. When one pilots the LS 460 aggressively on curvy roads, it's apparent that as usual, Lexus did not design the car to be overtly sporty. The standard suspension is set more for comfort than tight handling, although the optional adjustable air suspension does give the driver some choices.

While we think other large, premium luxury sedans are more rewarding to drive and own, the Lexus LS 460 is cheaper and most consumers should find it an exquisite way to travel. Its powerful engine, supremely comfortable interior and full menu of high-tech gizmos make it a hard vehicle to fault.

Read the most recent 2014 Lexus LS 460 review.

If you are looking for older years, visit our used Lexus LS 460 page.