2010 Lexus LS 460 Review

The Lexus LS 460 gets its first significant updates since being redesigned three years ago. Exterior styling receives only mild tweaks, but the electronics systems have been revamped and now include, among other items, an iPod interface and streaming Bluetooth audio. New Sport and Appearance packages also debut, and the new Safety Connect emergency telematics service is added to the standard features list, with additional Lexus Enform telematics as an option.

The 2010 Lexus LS 460 is a well-built premium luxury sedan at a comparatively low price, but with competition that reads like a Hall of Fame lineup card, you'll certainly have plenty of options to consider.

The Lexus brand was launched with the LS, a car that promised to match the established German luxury brands in terms of luxury, performance and features but with greater reliability and a lower price. More than 20 years later, the 2010 Lexus LS 460 stands resolute with this formula, even as its German competitors continue to deliver world-class flagship sedans.

Like most of its competitors, the V8-powered LS is available in a pair of body styles -- regular and extended wheelbase. The latter is essentially a personal limousine with enough sprawl space for a pair of Portland Trailblazers and features like 45-degree recline, a Barcalounger-style footrest, a refrigerator and a DVD entertainment system. The LS also offers an all-wheel-drive option for those in wintry climes where rear drive isn't preferred.

As for price, the LS hits the register at a price that undercuts the Europeans by $10,000 or more. Of course, those British and Continental flagships tend to offer more in the way of driving involvement and automotive "personality." They're also available with some ridiculously powerful engines that the Lexus can't match. But at the end of the day, the 2010 Lexus LS 460 measures up well in terms of materials quality and features, and it enjoys a reputation for superior reliability. In other words, it's quite the deal.

The truth of the matter is, there isn't a single loser in this segment. The meticulously well-rounded Audi A8, the sporty BMW 7 Series, the strikingly elegant Jaguar XJ and the benchmark Mercedes-Benz S-Class all deserve close looks if your budget allows. The Lexus LS 460 may not be the most desirable or personality-filled car in the class, but after 20 years on the job, there's no denying that its formula is still a recipe for success.

The 2010 Lexus LS 460 is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that produces 380 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, with all-wheel drive available. In performance testing, the rear-drive LS 460 went from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, which is certainly quick, but just average for the segment. EPA estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 16/23/18 with all-wheel drive.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, front-seat knee airbags, active front head restraints and emergency telematics. Optional items include rear side airbags and the Advanced Pre-Collision Safety system that pairs with the adaptive cruise control radar emitters to sense an impending impact (with either another car or a pedestrian) and optimize brake response and crash preparedness.

In Edmunds brake testing, the 2010 Lexus LS 460 came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet -- a little long for this class. The LS 460 L checked in at a longer 136 feet. We also judged the brake pedal rather grabby in feel. In crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Lexus LS 460 scored the highest rating of "Good" for its protection in frontal-offset impacts.

Under almost any driving condition, the 2010 Lexus LS 460 isolates its occupants from the outside world, wrapping them in a silent, cloudlike cocoon. This is the LS's forte. Under more aggressive maneuvers, however, the base LS suspension exhibits significant dive during heavy braking and pronounced body roll while cornering. Nonetheless, this luxury sedan was never intended to be particularly sporty, so most buyers probably won't have high expectations in this regard. As such, consumers who enjoy driving may be pleasantly surprised by the new Sport package, which features an aggressively tuned air suspension, performance brakes, rev-matched downshifts and grippy summer tires.

As the Lexus flagship, the LS 460 naturally exhibits fine interior craftsmanship and an impressive array of features. However, compared to a BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ or Mercedes S-Class, it lacks some visual drama. Nevertheless, its controls are reasonably simple for this class, utilizing a touchscreen and physical buttons. The new iPod interface is a welcome addition to the features list, but it could replicate the iPod's functionality better than it does.

Cabin space is exceptional for all occupants even in the regular-wheelbase version, while the extended-wheelbase LS 460 L could easily serve limousine duty. The Executive-Class Seating package takes rear comfort to absurd levels with a 45-degree seat recline, lumbar massage and a footrest. Outside of the LS, you'd need to step up to a Maybach or Rolls-Royce to be coddled like this. Trunk space is generous at 18 cubic feet, but it drops to 15.5 cubes if rear-seat climate control is specified.