When I think luxury cars, the Lexus LS always seems to come to mind alongside the Audi A8, Mercedes Benz CLS and BMW 7-Series machines. The ability of the Lexus LS takes it right to the top of the luxury car pecking order, and in America the Lexus LS models have often outsold other luxury marques. Another interesting fact is that Lexus owners seem to be a discerning breed, and they give the impression to be very satisfied with their luxury brand choice, even many years down the track. Let’s take a look at the new Lexus LS 460, and appreciate why this is a car that will collect a new set of accolades.

Two models are on offer, a first for Lexus with the LS Series. First of all, the Lexus LS 460 F Sport captures the heart of driving excitement with a higher level of sporty flavouring. The Lexus LS 460 Luxury is all about superior comfort, and maximised driver and passenger satisfaction. Let’s differentiate the two models.

Having a close look at the Lexus LS 460 F Sport reveals a beautiful blend of comfort and sport. For those who appreciate the V8 that lies underneath the sculptured bonnet cover, and who delight in using the full 285 kW of quad-cam power, Lexus realise that they are after a unique sporty drive and offer them a more dynamic drive. That’s why bigger disc brakes are placed at the front of the car, and why front sports bucket style seats feature the F Sport logo in the headrest. Higher side bolsters hold both driver and passenger firmly during harder, faster cornering. It’s a great set-up for enjoying the addictive force behind the LS 460 performance. Other F Sport features are the more defined lines of its bolder grille treatment, bolder 19-inch forged alloy wheels and mesh grille inserts at the front of the car’s nose. The LS 460 F Sport incorporates new front and rear bumpers, a bespoke black leather-accented interior, with aluminium sports pedals, an F Sport steering wheel and, of course, the gorgeous leather sports bucket seats. Throughout the cabin, F Sport badging, an F Sport gear lever, aluminium sports pedals with an anti-slip surface and scuff plates, and instrumentation on the dash that is framed by moulded metallic surrounds complete the picture of a superbly comfortable and capable sports/luxury sedan.

Slip across to the new Lexus LS 460 Luxury model, and the same high performance, all-alloy quad cam V8 engine with 285kW of power and 493 Nm of torque lies in wait, however the feel is just a little different. Everything is performed in sublime comfort with the LS 460 Luxury model. Occupants are immersed in a stunning handcrafted interior that boasts a front passenger who can recline in an ottoman-equipped front seat. Rear seat passengers can stretch out in their reclining seats and immerse themselves in their favourite movies or play music on a BluRay Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system on the roof-mounted 9-inch LCD screen with incredible cinema-quality sound. Either infra-red wireless headphones or wired headphones allows playback of different audio from the front seats and will connect rear passengers to a world of entertainment. All occupants of the LS 460 Luxury will be wowed by the Mark Levinson 19-speaker audio system, and the luxury interiors come in a choice of luxury finishes that include the option of a steering wheel rimmed with genuine shimamoku wood and a pure semi-aniline leather accented interior. Power sun shades operate to keep the bright sun off rear seat passengers, and in both the LS F Sport and LS Luxury models there is an impressive quad-zone independent climate control system that allows independent comfort levels to be maintained in four seating positions. You can opt for the Lexus Climate Concierge system which amazingly synchronises the climate control, seat heating and ventilation, and steering wheel heating systems to work in unison for optimum comfort. The Lexus Climate Concierge system uses heat sensors that include passenger infra-red sensors to monitor body and atmospheric temperatures.

Power is put through an eight-speed automatic transmission with a manual option. A Traction Controlled rear-wheel-drive set-up puts power down onto the road in an aggressive controlled manner. No less than five switchable driving modes are available (ECO, NORMAL, SPORT S, SPORT S+, and COMFORT), and the ride and handling of the big Lexus luxury sedan is superior. An innovative new laser screw welding technique together with body bonding technology further enhances the strength, with the end result being a body that is a whole 60 percent stiffer than even the outgoing LS version. The adaptive variable air suspension system rides smoothly, and the electronic steering is superbly accurate and responsive.

At over two tonnes, the big Lexus LS 460 sedan has some weight but it knows how to stop with excellent control. The new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system (VDIM) integrates the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-skid Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution to maintain a high level of control in a range of driving situations which would include loose stone chip, ice, and rain. The Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB) system helps improve braking response and effectiveness all the time. You feel very safe inside the quiet, silky smooth new Lexus LS 460. It comes packed with safety features that include front pre-tensioning seatbelts, three point seatbelts throughout the cabin and rear seat side airbags – to name but a few.

With an extensive four years /100,000 km warranty, you can’t go wrong with a new luxury car purchase from Lexus. This is a gorgeous car, and both the Lexus LS 460 F Sport and Luxury models offer ten glossy exterior paint colours that are incredibly vivid and clear in their finish. Complementing the choice of exterior colour on a Lexus LS 460, a stunning array of interior colour choice make it easy for you to select your own very unique new Lexus LS 460.

Current Lexus LS 460 models include the:

• LS 460 F Sport
• LS 460 Luxury

For any more information on the new Lexus LS 460 or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Lexus dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

Back to Lexus Car Reviews