Outboard rear-seat occupants get the same treatment as those sitting up front- each with a climate controlled, motorized leather memory seat included as part of the technology package. Be sure to opt for it if you'd like to treat your second row passengers to first-class seating. There's plenty of room and storage available at any seat, and visibility is decent. Entry and exit are simple as well.
Buttery power
Lexus's flagship V8 is a 4.6 litre unit with 380 horsepower- more than you'll find in the base Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8. These German machines cost more- though most are available with a selection of other engines and standard AWD that's not offered in the standard LS460.
The LS's engine runs whisper quiet in this application, never making much more than a discreet hum, even opened up. There's plenty of smooth power to be had across the span of the tachometer, and the 8-speed autobox works almost invisibly, albeit reacting to inputs a leisurely pace. Mileage is reasonable for a V8 powered luxury condo, averaging about 12 litres of premium per 100 km.
Perhaps even more impressive than the almost silent operation of the engine is the LS's almost totally silent ride. Only an occasional lick of wind noise ever seems to make it past the side window seals- otherwise, outside sounds tend to stay there. It's like being in your very own leather-clad library, unless you crank up the Mark Levinson stereo. It's got 19 speakers and enough wattage to blow the ears clean off the side of your head.
A magnificent cruiser
LS's suspension soaks up nearly every imperfection on the roads surface without transmitting much into the cabin. Its cushy but not floaty, slightly connected- though not too much. Comfort is the priority here.
With the quiet and comfortable ride, there isn't much room left for sportiness- and though the LS offers more cornering grip than owners will ever use, 'exciting' remains absent from its list of attributes. Luxury is more than effectively covered off, though the European passion for flagship sedan dynamics is missing.
Same thing for the look too. Outside, the 18-inch wheels make little impact against the LS's huge body, generating a mainly flat and plain look from nearly any angle. The integrated exhaust tips do garner compliments, though.
Thing is, for the money, Lexus has done a great job of creating a well priced flagship experience with added attention to features, quality and space. It's not as exciting to look at or drive as the German stuff, but it is less expensive, very impressively equipped and beautifully assembled nonetheless.
It seeks only to satisfy, not to electrify- so if it's pure comfort and plenty of room you're after, it's worth a close look.
photo:Justin Pritchard, Lexus
Buttery power
Lexus's flagship V8 is a 4.6 litre unit with 380 horsepower- more than you'll find in the base Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8. These German machines cost more- though most are available with a selection of other engines and standard AWD that's not offered in the standard LS460.
The LS's engine runs whisper quiet in this application, never making much more than a discreet hum, even opened up. There's plenty of smooth power to be had across the span of the tachometer, and the 8-speed autobox works almost invisibly, albeit reacting to inputs a leisurely pace. Mileage is reasonable for a V8 powered luxury condo, averaging about 12 litres of premium per 100 km.
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| LS's suspension soaks up nearly every imperfection on the roads surface. |
Perhaps even more impressive than the almost silent operation of the engine is the LS's almost totally silent ride. Only an occasional lick of wind noise ever seems to make it past the side window seals- otherwise, outside sounds tend to stay there. It's like being in your very own leather-clad library, unless you crank up the Mark Levinson stereo. It's got 19 speakers and enough wattage to blow the ears clean off the side of your head.
A magnificent cruiser
LS's suspension soaks up nearly every imperfection on the roads surface without transmitting much into the cabin. Its cushy but not floaty, slightly connected- though not too much. Comfort is the priority here.
With the quiet and comfortable ride, there isn't much room left for sportiness- and though the LS offers more cornering grip than owners will ever use, 'exciting' remains absent from its list of attributes. Luxury is more than effectively covered off, though the European passion for flagship sedan dynamics is missing.
Same thing for the look too. Outside, the 18-inch wheels make little impact against the LS's huge body, generating a mainly flat and plain look from nearly any angle. The integrated exhaust tips do garner compliments, though.
Thing is, for the money, Lexus has done a great job of creating a well priced flagship experience with added attention to features, quality and space. It's not as exciting to look at or drive as the German stuff, but it is less expensive, very impressively equipped and beautifully assembled nonetheless.
It seeks only to satisfy, not to electrify- so if it's pure comfort and plenty of room you're after, it's worth a close look.
photo:Justin Pritchard, Lexus
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