Ever since Lexus introduced the LS 400 18 years ago, it's been the top choice of car buyers who prefer value and reliability over Teutonic driving dynamics and prestige. That is, until now. The new-for-2007 Lexus LS 460 isn't just outselling the German luxe-mobiles, it's outclassing them.
The new LS has a contemporary new profile, stunning fit and finish, and high-quality materials inside the cabin, where even back-seat passengers will feel as if they never left their living room. The latest LS has a bigger engine — a 4.6-liter, 380-horsepower V8 — as well as a first-ever eight-speed transmission. The combination propels the car from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds. But fuel economy is a respectable 19 miles per gallon in the city, 27 mpg highway.
State-of-the-art technology, including the easiest-to-use voice-command system I've ever encountered, appeals to multitasking executive types. Advanced safety features — such as knee air bags for the driver and front-seat passenger, and sophisticated anti-skid stability control — put even the most skittish passenger at ease. And with a base price of $61,715, the LS costs nearly 25 grand less than the Mercedes S550.
But surely one reason sales of the Lexus LS 460 are so strong this year is that it's the first car sold in the United States that parks itself. Just pull the car up to the correct starting position, adjust the virtual parking spot outlined on the rearview screen, and push the appropriate buttons (you can choose between parallel and back-in parking) — the car steers itself into the spot while you control the speed. Pretty amazing.
The gee-whiz features aren't cheap: You have to order a $3,115 navigation system, then shell out another $1,200 for the parking-guidance feature. The nav system includes Bluetooth technology, so you can yak on your cell phone hands-free.
You must also order the navigation system to get the $2,850 pre-collision feature. When radar senses that a front collision is unavoidable, the seat belts tighten automatically and extra braking pressure is applied.
The LS 460 also comes in a long-wheelbase model, which adds 5 inches to the length and $10,000 to the sticker price. For another $12,675, you can special-order the executive-class seating package, which, among other things, buys you a power right-rear seat that reclines (with a leg rest) and massages.
The hybrid version, called the LS 600h L, is just arriving in showrooms. It's an all-wheel-drive car that features a massive 5-liter V8 engine along with an electric motor to help clean up emissions and save gas. Even so, fuel economy on the $104,715 sedan is expected to be only 20 to 25 mpg.