2017 Lexus LS 460

2017 Lexus LS 460 Review

Despite aggressive exterior styling, the Lexus LS 460 is very much a traditional Lexus underneath.
3.5 star edmunds overall rating
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by Mike Schmidt
Edmunds Editor

Don't be fooled by the aggressive front-end styling — the 2017 Lexus LS 460 is very much a traditional Lexus underneath. With its whisper-quiet interior and luxurious ride quality, the LS 460 is all about pampering you and your passengers to an optimum degree of comfort and refinement.

What you don't really get with the LS 460 is the latest executive-sedan tech and style. The BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, in particular, benefit from newer designs. The LS 460 also brings up the rear for performance. But if you don't need to drive the fanciest, flashiest or priciest car on the block, the 2017 Lexus LS 460 could very well be your kind of luxury sedan.

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what's new

The 2017 Lexus LS 460 is unchanged.
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we recommend

We think the 2017 Lexus LS 460 L sedan is the one to get. The L is the extended-wheelbase variant that gives rear passengers more rear legroom. After that, it's largely down to how well equipped you want your LS to be. We'd say start with the LS' added driver safety aids and excellent Mark Levinson sound system and go from there.
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trim levels & features

The 2017 Lexus LS 460 is a full-size luxury sedan with seating for four or five, depending upon which options you choose. It comes in two trim levels: LS 460 and LS 460 L. Both alternatives come with a 4.6-liter V8 engine (386 horsepower, 367 pound-feet of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on both trims, though it lowers engine output (359 hp, 347 lb-ft). A base LS 460 is loaded with the safety and comfort features you'd expect from this class. The extended-wheelbase LS 460 L is available with a four-passenger configuration that features a center console.

The standard equipment on the base LS 460 is extensive. Highlights include 18-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, a sunroof, power door closers, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats with power seat-belt height adjusters and memory functions, leather upholstery, the Lexus Remote Touch interface, a 12.3-inch display screen, a navigation system, Bluetooth and a 10-speaker sound system.

Notable options for the LS 460 include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, an adjustable air suspension (includes variable gear ratio steering, ride height adjustment and additional drive settings), a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with an enhanced pre-collision system, upgraded leather upholstery, an advanced pre-collision system with a drowsy driver warning system and forward collision avoidance system, and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-closing trunk and a power rear sunshade are also optional on the regular-wheelbase LS.

If you frequently have rear passengers (or are the rear passenger yourself), take a look at the Ultra Luxury package. It adds four-zone climate control, a refrigerated rear center console, six-way power rear seats (with heating, cooling and massage functions), rear-seat side airbags and rear audio controls.

Unique to the regular-wheelbase LS 460 is the F Sport package, which adds 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential (rear-wheel-drive models only), a sport-tuned air suspension, variable gear ratio steering, sport front seats and shift paddles on the steering wheel. F Sport models also gain specific exterior and interior design elements.

The LS 460 L is the extended-wheelbase LS 460 sedan. It includes all of the standard and optional features noted above and all packages aside from F Sport.

Another differentiator between the two wheelbase trims is the 460 L's Executive-Class Seating package. This includes the backseat upgrades of the Ultra Luxury package but in a two-seat configuration with a stationary center console (including enhanced controls, a refrigerated bin and added storage). It also adds extended leather trim, a power passenger-side ottoman with a knee airbag, power rear side sunshades and a rear-seat entertainment system.

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trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2013 Lexus LS 460 Sedan (4.6L V8; 8-speed automatic).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Lexus LS 460 has received some revisions, including an enhanced infotainment system with full-screen navigation and a pair of much-needed control buttons ("enter" and "back") for the Remote Touch interface for 2016. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Lexus LS 460.

Edmunds Scorecard

Overall3.5 / 5.0

Driving

3.5 / 5.0

Acceleration2.5 / 5.0
Braking3.0 / 5.0
Steering2.5 / 5.0
Handling2.0 / 5.0
Drivability3.5 / 5.0

Comfort

4.5 / 5.0

Seat comfort4.5 / 5.0
Ride comfort4.0 / 5.0
Noise & vibration5.0 / 5.0

Interior

4.0 / 5.0

Ease of use4.0 / 5.0
Getting in/getting out4.5 / 5.0
Roominess4.0 / 5.0
Visibility2.5 / 5.0
Quality4.5 / 5.0

Utility

4.0 / 5.0

driving

edmunds rating
The LS loses out to its European rivals in this category. Even though it's plenty quick in a straight line, it's still slow for the class. And its soft suspension simply offers nowhere near the control of the others.

acceleration

edmunds rating
The 386-horsepower V8 is lusciously smooth and sounds terrific. But it's not turbocharged in a forced-induction world — a world where 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds is slow.

braking

edmunds rating
We found the brakes annoyingly touchy around town, yet they don't feel powerful or confidence-inspiring. It stopped from 60 mph in 121 feet, which is merely average for the class.

steering

edmunds rating
The steering isn't overly light, but we also could barely detect any difference in assist between Normal and Sport modes. There's not much in the way of steering feel.

handling

edmunds rating
Precision isn't this car's forte; it's sloppier than the competition. You notice the LS' weight on tight back roads, and the stability control system gets intrusive if you push too hard.

drivability

edmunds rating
The throttle can be abrupt in Sport mode. Steering is light, but this is a big car in parking lots. The automatic transmission is a smooth shifter but should be even better.

comfort

edmunds rating
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more peaceful, comfortable and quiet sedan, regardless of price, than the Lexus LS 460. It shuts the outside world out, and the ride is as soft as can be. The front seats, though, could be a bit more cushy.

seat comfort

edmunds rating
The front seats could be softer; we noticed some discomfort after a couple hours. The seat coolers are powerful yet quiet. The outer rear seats are plush, but the center seat is high, making it almost pointless.

ride comfort

edmunds rating
This car is about as cushy as they come, with the downside being that it's a bit floaty. It's like riding down the road on a magic pillow of air. Some rival sedans now have more sophisticated suspensions that do a better job of providing comfort without being floaty.

noise & vibration

edmunds rating
It's one of the quietest cars we've taken over our coarse road test; it registered barely above a thrum. There's near-zero tire and wind noise. You can only hear the V8 when you boot the gas pedal.

interior

edmunds rating
The interior is generally fantastic, with supple leather and high-quality materials and logical controls. The Remote Touch knob needs better detents, though.

ease of use

edmunds rating
The driving position is a bit too high. The controls are logically placed and have a high-quality feel. But the Remote Touch controller knob needs better icon detents.

getting in/getting out

edmunds rating
Long front doors make it easy to get in and out. You might have to duck your head a bit to avoid the roof in the rear seat.

roominess

edmunds rating
Front headroom is excellent, and there's good space for the driver's right knee against the center tunnel. Rear headroom is only OK, but there's plenty of footroom and knee room.

visibility

edmunds rating
The narrow front roof pillars and tall side windows are useful, but the thicker center and rear roof pillars hamper your view out the back.

quality

edmunds rating
We're fond of the high-grade, classy materials and good-looking trim pieces. It's well put together, with no squeaks or rattles.

utility

edmunds rating
Small item storage is adequate for front passengers thanks to some storage in the center bin and the door pockets. The trunk is immense and easily accessed to handle transport of everything else.

technology

The LS 460 has an extensive list of technology features as standard equipment and even more available depending upon your preference in optional feature packages. But the Remote Touch infotainment interface is potentially distracting to use.

edmunds expert review process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

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