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2009 Lexus LS 460 Performance Review

June 15, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

acceleration is rather astonishing
Cars.com

the base suspension permits marked body lean
ConsumerGuide

Worse-than-expected acceleration times
Car and Driver

A strong engine and an impressive eight gears help the big 2009 Lexus LS 460 move comfortably, but handling and braking are definitely not up to par with the car's European competitors.

Automobile Magazine finds the engine on this Lexus 2009 model provides "smooth, even, and seemingly inexhaustible power," a sentiment echoed by Cars.com, which notes that "acceleration is rather astonishing." Overall, Edmunds feels that acceleration performance is "on par with its peers," and the 2009 Lexus LS 460 can "hit 60 mph in a swift 5.8 seconds." Under the hood of the 2009 Lexus LS 460 is a 380-hp engine that Automobile Magazine states is "the first all-new V-8 engine" in the Lexus brand history. Car and Driver also reports that the "aluminum" engine "displaces 4.6 liters" and "torque increases 55 pound-feet to 367" versus the older version of the LS 460.

Motor Trend points out that the eight-speed transmission offers "near CVT-like performance and fuel economy," allowing this 2009 Lexus to achieve EPA fuel economy that "is expected to rise from 18/25 mpg to 19/27." The transmission is one of the main reasons for the 2009 Lexus LS 460's impressive acceleration, especially on the highway. Cars.com approves of the transmission, saying that "gear changes are barely perceptible under most driving conditions." However, while Car and Driver claims that the "LS jumps off the line," they note "a not-quite-short-enough first gear led to worse-than-expected acceleration times."

In terms of braking, Car and Driver "measured a pitiful 209 feet" of stopping distance from 70 mph, "30 feet longer than an LS430." While Edmunds doesn't mention stopping distances, they find that the brakes "can seem grabby in stop-and-go traffic." ConsumerGuide contends that "the base suspension permits marked body lean, as does the air suspension's Comfort setting." Motor Trend agrees, claiming the new Lexus 2009 "heels over more in the corners than the German sedans do," although they do approve of the "natural level of effort" required to handle the steering wheel. Turning and stopping are definitely not among the strong suits on this Lexus 2009 edition of the LS 460, but with such a large car, that probably shouldn't come as a surprise.

Conclusion

The 2009 Lexus LS 460 has plenty of giddyap from its V-8 engine, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com feature mixed impressions of the transmission and handling.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:acceleration is rather astonishingCars.comthe base suspension permits marked body leanConsumerGuideWorse-than-expected acceleration timesCar and Driver A strong engine and an impressive eight gears help the big 2009 Lexus LS 460 move comfortably, but handling and braking are definitely not up to par with the car's European competitors. Automobile Magazine finds the engine on this Lexus 2009 model provides "smooth, even, and seemingly inexhaustible power," a sentiment echoed by Cars.com, which notes that "acceleration is rather astonishing." Overall, Edmunds feels that acceleration performance is "on par with its peers," and the 2009 Lexus LS 460 can "hit 60 mph in a swift 5.8 seconds." Under the hood of the 2009 Lexus LS 460 is a 380-hp engine that Automobile Magazine states is "the first all-new V-8 engine" in the Lexus brand history. Car and Driver also reports that the "aluminum" engine "displaces 4.6 liters" and "torque increases 55 pound-feet to 367" versus the older version of the LS 460. Motor Trend points out that the eight-speed transmission offers "near CVT-like performance and fuel economy," allowing this 2009 Lexus to achieve EPA fuel economy that "is expected to rise from 18/25 mpg to 19/27." The transmission is one of the main reasons for the 2009 Lexus LS 460's impressive acceleration, especially on the highway. Cars.com approves of the transmission, saying that "gear changes are barely perceptible under most driving conditions." However, while Car and Driver claims that the "LS jumps off the line," they note "a not-quite-short-enough first gear led to worse-than-expected acceleration times." In terms of braking, Car and Driver "measured a pitiful 209 feet" of stopping distance from 70 mph, "30 feet longer than an LS430." While Edmunds doesn't mention stopping distances, they find that the brakes "can seem grabby in stop-and-go traffic." ConsumerGuide contends that "the base suspension permits marked body lean, as does the air suspension's Comfort setting." Motor Trend agrees, claiming the new Lexus 2009 "heels over more in the corners than the German sedans do," although they do approve of the "natural level of effort" required to handle the steering wheel. Turning and stopping are definitely not among the strong suits on this Lexus 2009 edition of the LS 460, but with such a large car, that probably shouldn't come as a surprise. ConclusionThe 2009 Lexus LS 460 has plenty of giddyap from its V-8 engine, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com feature mixed impressions of the transmission and handling. 2009 LEXUS LS 460 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Motor Trend: "wrinkle-free leather on the steering wheel” Automobile Magazine: "interiors are particularly impressive" Edmunds: "Electroluminescent gauges are handsome and easily read" While an improvement over previous versions, exterior ...

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  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Each of these rivals offer high-performance variants, including the S8, the Alpina B7, and the S63 and S63 AMG, which the LS does not have. Each of these competitors also bears distinct designs inside (and outside) that arguably feel more lavish than the LS 460's simpler, more conservative style. And instead of a V-12 flagship, as these three European sedans have, the LS claims a gasoline-electric flagship called the LS 600h L. The LS 460 sports a straightforward instrument panel layout, without the use of a centralized, screen-driven interface like BMW's iDrive, which some drivers will appreciate. All-wheel drive is available in the S-Class and comes standard in the A8 but is not available in either the 7-Series or LS 460. The LS 460 is significantly cheaper than the 7-Series or S-Class.

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See the Lexus LS 460 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (1 total)

  1. fb_546299458 avatar by Ido Green #1, Posted: 6/15/2009

    Should I buy the Lexus LS460 2009 or wait for the 2010 model?

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