Grassroots Motorsports

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

New car reviews » 2010 Lexus LS460

• 
• 

Better than: A Camry
But not as good as: A magic carpet
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 61.43  

If you’re going to have a flagship, it should cast an impressive shadow, right? For more than 20 years the Lexus LS has remained true to its roots, offering V8 power, lots of interior space, and a handsome silhouette.

The fourth-generation LS arrived for the 2007 model year, and there’s still a V8 under the hood: a quad-cam, 32-valve, 4.6-liter unit that produces a smooth 380 horsepower. It’s backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive, an LS staple since Day One, is still present.

As the Lexus flagship, of course it’s also loaded. Standard amenities include a 10-speaker sound system, automatic collision notification, interior air filter and genuine wood trim. Between the Comfort Package and Luxury Value Package, our car also had a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, power rear sunshade, advanced parking guidance and a Mark Levinson 19-speaker, 7.1-channel sound system. Yes, loaded.

Other staff views:

David S. Wallens Editorial Director:

If you drove the LS460 from one end of the planet to another, you’d arrive totally refreshed. It’s one of the most effortless cars around.

True, it doesn’t have the excitement of a Miata or Corvette, but that’s not this car’s purpose in life. Here is a machine for those who just want to be transported in total comfort.

One thing that gearheads might like, however: Stomp the gas, it the V8 does emit a nice note. No, it doesn’t sound like a ‘67 Camaro, but there’s definitely a V8 under the hood.

Joe Gearin Associate Publisher:

Each of the luxury carmakers has its defining trait. Mercedes seems to make cars so solid that they feel like they’ve been carved out of a solid chunk of metal. Big BMWs seem to defy the laws of physics and are incredibly agile and spirited for their size. Audi has the interior game won, as their cabins are more comfortable and welcoming than most homes.

What Lexus has managed to do (and I’m not sure how) is infuse all of their big sedans with whipped cream. Every control on this LS460 is so smooth and creamy you’d swear this car was constructed at a pastry shop. It may be the least involving car I’ve ever driven, but boy is it comfortable, effortless and smooth. My mom would love this car.

The problem for me is one of diminishing returns. An Avalon provides much the same goodness as this Lexus, but it costs much less. An S Class Mercedes offers a better overall ride, but it costs much more. The incremental steps up in quality are not incremental in dollars. Is this car $20K to $30K better than an Avalon? That decision is up to you. I’d rather sacrifice a bit of the whipped cream and buy something fun with the leftover money.

Reader comments:

1. integraguy: — Aug 15, 2010 11:07 p.m.
   

   I’ve never driven or even ridden in a Lexus, any model, but what I find about the brands “flagship” is that:

   1.)it does a good job MIMICING the big German sedans in the looks dept.

   2.) when I’m up close to an LS, any year, it always strikes me as being about 10% BIGGER than it needs to be, and I’m a big person. But that could just be clever(?) styling at work, as in “more metal for the money”.

---