- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.6i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
285kW, 493Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 10.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
4 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
New car review: Lexus LS460
Almost a quarter of a century ago, Lexus blasted on to the luxury scene with its game-changing LS400. While the road for the ambitious brand has at times been lumpy, the Japanese marque has secured itself a healthy slice of the market and a robust reputation for quality.
Now Lexus is undergoing a model transformation that's bringing a fresh look and more-upmarket interiors. In line with those changes, the LS has been given a significant overhaul.
What do you get?
Lexus has rejigged the LS model range, which now begins with the LS460 F Sport that comes with doors that suck themselves closed, sumptuous leather, heated front and rear seats and cooled front pews, electric rear seats, a self-parking system, a fatigue-monitoring system that examines facial and eyelid movement, a blind-spot monitor and a crash-warning system.
The excellent Mark Levinson sound system is worth a mention, as is its standard digital radio receiver, still a rarity in new cars.
Pay another $2500 for the Sports Luxury and, while you miss out on the firmer, sportier suspension and styling tweaks, it picks up a rear DVD/Blu-ray player, ottoman for the front passenger, rear blinds, quad-zone airconditioning and heated/electric rear seats.
Whereas the LS has been a leader in gadgetry in the past - in turn forcing German rivals to lift their game - this one misses out on some fruit. There's no TV tuner, and the elegant instrument cluster doesn't have a digital speedo.
What's inside?
This is where the most welcome changes kick in for the LS460. A classy analog clock (it uses GPS to self-correct) is the centrepiece of the upmarket collection of buttons, and the console is dominated by a large colour screen positioned up high. It does a brilliant job of displaying everything from a movie (when the car is stopped) to navigation, audio-system read-outs and trip computer.
Attention to detail - front and rear - is immaculate, from the real-metal finishes and plush-pile carpet to the suede roof lining and supple leather.
It's not perfect, though; the Lexus Remote Touch mouse-style controller isn't as user-friendly as it could be; the boot is wide and deep but relatively short; and there's no split-fold function.
Storage is excellent, from the big cupholders and useful centre console to the deep glovebox.
Rear-seat space, too, is generous, from the legroom to the roof height. Electronic blinds all around are handy. Plus there are extra trinkets: mirrors flip out of the roof, which also has air vents.
Under the bonnet
Lexus has eked another 5kW (for 285kW in total) out of the LS's 4.6-litre V8.
Performance is hearty and there's a pleasing note; just the right mix of refined V8 thrum melded with high-tech intent.
The eight-speed auto is also well up to the task, almost imperceptibly flipping through its many ratios to best match the engine to the driver's want. But the engine needs a decent dose of revs on board to produce its best.
Hills quickly highlight its substantial 1940-kilogram bulk, and overtaking also calls for the engine to work hard. While on paper the 493Nm of torque is solid enough, it doesn't match turbocharged competitors.
The V8 also has a healthy thirst for premium unleaded.
In the real world it doesn't take much to use 18 litres per 100 kilometres around town, well above the 10.7L/100km claim. Even on country roads you can expect to use upwards of 10L/100km. Stop-start technology - in which the engine switches off automatically when stationary - is a notable omission.
On the road
The LS lives up to its limousine promise beautifully, cosseting occupants with royalty-worthy comfort and shielding them from any unwanted noises. It's also supremely quiet and refined.
The air suspension is supple and soft, disposing of all but sharper bumps effortlessly. Responsive and powerful brakes add confidence.
A stiffer body with this latest update allows the air suspension system to do its job better. There's the choice of three settings - comfort, normal and sport - which are aligned to the five different drive modes. Comfort is soft enough, but it lacks sufficient body control and makes the transmission more lethargic in its kickdown.
The solution is to opt for normal or sport. However, on a twisty, flowing country road there's no ideal setting, with the tauter sport suspension only available with more aggressive gear changes.
The cruise control did not hold the speed as promised; it can lose speed going up a hill and add up to 20km/h on the other side.
Verdict
The LS460 is in many ways the consummate limousine: supremely comfortable, beautifully appointed and as good in the back seat as in the front. It's so good you can almost overlook the occasional - and, generally, minor - functionality blips.
That it isn't as dynamically adept as some rivals is compensated for by its quiet, rarely ruffled ride. But its 4.6-litre V8 is behind the class leaders, lacking the effortless surge and fuel-saving smarts rightfully expected at $200,000.