Elegant Evolution

Lexus continues to define bulletproof comfort.
By Bill Heald

There are two basic philosophical approaches that are often at odds with each other when designing upscale automobiles: performance and luxury. The first approach works to allow the driver to engage with the road and focus on the driving experience, while the second is more concerned with isolating the car’s occupants from the outside world, and thus creating a supremely comfortable and seductive experience. The big challenge is to blend these two approaches into the ultimate car—in the case of the Lexus LS 460, a vehicle that is as cozy as a featherbed while it flies down the road at a brisk pace. The LS is an important player in this segment because this was the first model launched when Toyota created its Lexus division in 1990, and it has undergone four major generational changes since it first appeared. The work the company has done to make the LS not only refined but supremely reliable has garnered it some very impressive accolades, and it is still a benchmark luxury car in its segment. The all-new fourth-generation version builds on this sterling reputation, and shows why this is still the ultimate car to soothe your weary soul after a long day at a high-pressure job. It is also the first LS to offer a sport-oriented version (the F Sport), for those desiring a bit more action from their comfy chair.

The LS has always been built on a rear-drive chassis, although the company introduced the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) in 2006, and our test machine was equipped with this useful addition. The first LS was the 400, in homage to its four-liter V-8 engine, and the mill is now up to 4.6 liters (hence LS 460) and delivers an ultrasmooth 360 horsepower in the AWD application (the RWD version delivers 386 ponies). The transmission is an eight-speed automatic that, like everything in the drivetrain, is as smooth as a supermodel’s backside. When the original LS was developed, it was one of the most extensively tested cars in history, and this twenty first-century flying carpet has been steadily improved and tweaked to keep up with the latest in technology, efficiency, and noise abatement. The result is a fortress of solitude much like a library (remember those?), and the optional Mark Levinson sound system can use its 19 speakers to fill this hushed void with any type of entertainment you desire. While performance sedans offer stimulation by way of their mechanical muscle, the LS shows just how much you can stifle exterior commotion and create a controlled cabin that’s as secure as a mink-lined bomb shelter.

The big car handles well, too, and for those looking for more back-road prowess, the new F-Sport model includes sport seats, a sport-tuned air suspension, Brembo six-piston brakes, 19-inch wheels, and assorted trim enhancements. But even without this package, the sedan benefits from new frequency-dependent shock absorbers, better brake and steering response, and increased overall body stiffness (which improves both handling and ride quality). Even jaded car reviewers climb out of the LS 460 realizing there is more to upscale autos than just the ability to dispatch miles quickly. Flawless operation, with logical controls and displays that elegantly incorporate the latest infotainment tech into the overall experience, makes for a great road trip. Add rear seats that are more comfortable than those in a lot of limos out there, and you’ve got a genuine first-class experience.

The LS now has four versions, including the standard, long wheelbase, hybrid (with peerless fuel efficiency for such a big sedan), and the F-Sport. All feature coachwork that includes beautiful inlaid wood trim and—in the case of our tester—semi-aniline leather upholstery that doesn’t just coddle; it embraces. This environment insulates you from outside chaos, while making your conveyance a memorable affair. It’s the kind of car that encourages coast-to-coast travel with somebody who’s worth the trip.