As the Lexus flagship, the LS 460 has always been a leader in luxury and refinement. It continues to evolve and improve with each new iteration, and has settled nicely into its role of pushing the envelope.
The Europeans certainly don’t have the monopoly on luxury automobiles anymore, and that would be thanks to our friends from Japan.
I think the LS begs an important question: Is it better to drive or to be driven?
The test LS came loaded with the Technology Package: Adjustable seating for all seats (both positional and climate), power sunshades, and rear power massage, just to name a few.
On one hour-long drive, I noticed it was incredibly quiet in the back seat. I glanced back to find both children reclined and enjoying massages. Needless to say, I know what their answer would be.
Later, I took some neighbors for a ride. He drooled over the bamboo trim, while she was impressed with the Alcantara headliner. The overhead air ducts in the rear kept them both comfortable on that July afternoon.
I'll admit, I let the car idle in my driveway for a few minutes while I enjoyed all of the rear passenger amenities.
I felt jealous that I could only drive it and not truly experience the feeling of being driven. But that didn’t last long; the LS is very much a driver’s car.
Without a doubt, the LS is the easiest car to drive. By that, I mean effortless. Yes, it’s comfortable. Yes, it’s luxurious. I felt no driver fatigue on the longer drives.
With variable driving modes, I can select suspension height, fuel economy, engine performance, even the degree of road feedback. Comfort mode made the ride a bit too soft and willowy for my taste. Sport mode tightened everything up nicely and gave me some extra juice. The 4.6-liter engine opened up, with a quick reaction to pressure on the accelerator.
The LS ticked through all eight gears without the slightest hint of shifting. Is this car going to win any road races? No. But is the power adequate? Yes. If it’s pure performance you’re looking for, then the LS is not your automobile.
However, if you’re looking for refined, sophisticated, driving dynamics, by all means, look to the LS. Most of the time, for me, Normal mode was just right. Call me Goldilocks.
For the winter, this LS features full time all-wheel-drive with a limited-slip center differential, ensuring the sure-footedness of this vehicle.
Outside, the LS is automotive eye candy. Its chiseled and sculpted body and long, fluid lines invoke emotion and feelings of speed and prowess.
The projection headlamps are soul-piercing. Nineteen-inch split-seven-spoke alloy wheels feature a high gloss finish, balancing out the rest of the chrome body trim. Ambient lighting illuminates as you approach the car in the dark.
Back to the cabin, the layout of the dash and center stack are all intuitive and user-friendly. The 12.3-inch display screen sits deep within a recess in the dash, making it easy to see without being distracting. All the other creature comforts can also be found, including a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, which brings satellite radio to life.
What it comes down to is this: The Lexus LS gets high marks for blending technology with comfort and luxury. But you'll have to decide for yourself whether or not you want to be the driver or the passenger.
Either way, you can’t go wrong.
