The LS 460 luxury sedan from Lexus is much like the potential buyers it targets: refined, reliable, and conservative. What stands out most about the car is its emphasis on comfort. Drivers can expect to be pampered, with the vehicle’s impeccable interior (rich leather, with wood and aluminum trim), custom-fit seating (16-way power adjustment), and temperature (a “climate concierge” system allows for the personalization of main controls, seats, and steering wheel).
But Lexus’ flagship sedan offers plenty of power, too, with its standard 4.6-liter V8 engine (386-horsepower). You’d never know it, though, from its nearly silent acceleration and whisper-quiet ride—one that just enhances the experience of the car’s 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
Much emphasis has been placed on safety, too. Airbags abound, including driver and front-passenger knee airbags. A “collision-avoidance” system helps detect pedestrians and other obstacles and can automatically bring the car to a full stop from speeds up to 24 mph.
My week with the LS 460 coincided with a visit by out-of-state relatives. It was a pleasure to tour them around the area, and they raved about the cushy ride, too. For once, I didn’t hear complaints about the Dallas traffic.
And that’s what it really comes down to: The LS 460 isn’t about flash, agility, or speed. It’s about being spoiled.
