EmailBest Reviewed
Luxury Cars
- Best "budget" luxury sedan 2008 Lexus ES 350 *Est. $34120
- Luxury car as technological showcase 2008 Lexus LS 460 *Est. $62900
- Best no-compromises luxury car 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 *Est. $87575
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Luxury car as technological showcase
- Comfortable, quiet cabin
- Premium interior materials
- Parking guidance system
- Strong acceleration with decent fuel economy
- Lexus' reputation for reliability, dealer service
- Soft suspension allows too much body roll
- Sensitive brakes
- Some want higher prestige for the money
Few cars offer a driving experience as serene and luxurious as the Lexus LS 460 and the long-wheelbase LS 460L, most reviewers agree. Redesigned in 2007, the latest Lexus LS continues to be the flagship of the Lexus fleet as the largest, most expensive and best equipped car from Toyota's luxury brand. Refined, quiet and comfortable are words that most reviews use to describe the Lexus LS 460. Many auto writers also praise the strong acceleration from the standard 380-hp V-8 engine and industry-first eight-speed automatic transmission. One source clocked the rear-wheel-drive Lexus LS 460 at 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. Equally impressive, many reviews emphasize, is this engine's relatively good fuel economy. EPA figures are 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway, while real-world mileage figures range from 15 to 23 mpg.
But reviewers say the Lexus does not provide the same kind of high-performance handling and confident cornering ability as most German competitors. For better handling, reviews suggest cars like the Mercedes S550 (*est. $86,700 to $89,700), BMW 750i (*est. $76,800 to $79,900) and Audi A8 (*est. $70,690 to $74,690). Each of these cars also offers a bit more prestige than the Lexus, although at significantly higher base prices. Among the many luxury and convenience features offered in the LS 460 is a much-publicized "Advanced Parking Guidance System" that allows the car to park itself. Critics say it works, but slowly and only under ideal conditions.
Edmunds.com has a well-written summary review of the LS 460, with a list of the car's strengths and weaknesses. Motor Trend provides valuable results of a long-term test in a LS 460 after accumulating more than 21,000 miles. Consumer Reports also has an informative summary review and exclusive reliability information available only to subscribers. The Car Connection has a thoughtful summary of the LS, and Kelley Blue Book gives a good review along with its recommendation. Several other top-pick awards for the LS 460 come from Consumer Guide and Cars.com, both of which provide informative road-test reviews. Forbes Autos's review is rather brief, but gives some additional insight.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Edmunds editors provide a good general review of the Lexus LS 460, ranked as one of its top recommended sedans costing over $60,000. They acknowledge that while the LS 460 lacks the passion of some of its German rivals, it beats them in reliability and base price.
Review: 2008 Lexus LS 460 summary, Editors of Edmunds.com
2. Motor Trend
After accumulating 21,261 miles in a 2007 Lexus LS 460, which is essentially the same as the 2008 model, Motor Trend editors list several features that they found unsatisfying, such as numb handling and a "floaty" ride. But overall, they call the LS an "ultimate long-haul liner."
Review: Long Term Verdict: 2007 Lexus LS 460, Ron Kiino
3. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors of Consumer Reports provide a summary review of the Lexus LS 460. One unique aspect of Consumer Reports is historical reliability data gleaned from large owner surveys. You must be a subscriber to read this report.
Review: 2008 Lexus LS 460 review, Editors of Consumer Reports
This review is a good descriptive write-up on the Lexus LS 460 based on the author's own test driving as well as other published reviews. Writer Bengt Halvorson says, "Luxury, comfort, and high-tech features are the focus in the 2008 Lexus LS 460." Compared to some German competitors, the LS "is a little lacking in personality and presence," Halvorson says, but "it's a good choice for those who want top technology and comforts without attracting undue attention."
Review: 2008 Lexus LS 460 Bottom Line, Bengt Halvorson
5. Cars.com
Cars.com names the LS 460 a Best Bet, but editor Mike Hanley has some criticism for the standard suspension's "choppy ride" on concrete highways. The optional adjustable air suspension is a more comfortable alternative, he says. He calls the engine "incredibly smooth," with acceleration that's "rather astonishing."
Review: 2008 Lexus LS 460, Mike Hanley, Oct. 15, 2007
Consumer Guide gives the Lexus LS 460 its Best Buy rating in the premium large car category. The review notes that the LS is priced lower than the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8, but is "less sporty and more comfort-oriented." They add that the LS "is outstanding in its own right."
Review: 2008 Lexus LS Full Review, Editors of Consumer Guide, Sept. 16, 2008
The Lexus LS models earn a spot on KBB's "recommended" list. Editors say the LS variants "represent new benchmarks in both technical sophistication and passenger pampering." But drivers looking for a more sporting experience are better served looking at European competitors.
Review: 2008 Lexus LS 460 Sedan Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book
Forbes calls the latest Lexus LS 460 a "technological and luxurious tour de force as groundbreaking as the first LS that launched in 1990." Auto writer Jim Gorzelany comments that the automatic parking system "is not infallible."
Review: 2008 Lexus LS 460 -- High-Tech Flagship, Jim Gorzelany, Sept. 17, 2008
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