2007 Lexus LS 460L Review

Parks Itself and More

In short: A serenely quiet, comfortable, high-tech cruiser.

There is more to the Lexus LS 460L than its revolutionary Advanced Parking Guidance System with Intuitive Park Assist, which in non-techno-babble translates to “the car parks itself.” There is more, but this one feature is getting the most attention from the public and Lexus’ marketing department. For those with a penchant for nipping curbs, parked cars, poles and pedestrians, the LS’ parking system is a true bumper saver.

The all-new LS reiterates its place as Lexus’ flagship and as a vehicle aimed directly at full-size luxury sedan rivals from Europe: BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8. Attractive new looks and a full array of high-tech, yet user-friendly features raise the bar far beyond the outgoing model renowned for its quiet, comfortable driving environment and pristine build quality. Those qualities are still present (our pre-production test car did have some surprising rattles, though), offering a coffin-quiet cabin filled with leather, wood and top-tier plastics. The new L model stretches the wheelbase by five inches, providing back seat passengers with Rolls-Royce-levels of space—not to mention their own vanity mirrors, optional dual-zone climate control, an optional refrigerator, and seats that are heated, cooled and recline.

Beyond the optional parking system, other high-tech features include Lexus’ excellent touchscreen navigation system and the superb optional Mark Levinson surround sound system with nineteen speakers and a 30 GB hard drive for mp3s and in-car voice recordings.

Warranty/Service: 4-year/50,000 basic warranty; 6-year/70,000 powertrain warranty; 24-hour roadside assistance; free first maintenance.

QUICK SHEET Base Price: $71,000 /As tested: $79,125 Technical Specifications Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan Engine: 4.6-liter V8 Horsepower: 380 bhp @ 6400 rpm Torque: 367 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Curb weight: 4,332 lbs Wheelbase: 121.7 in Length/Width/Height: 202.8/73.8/58.1 in Turning circle: 36.0 ft Brakes: four-wheel disc with ABS and electronic brake assistance Suspension: independent front and rear Traction: traction control, vehicle stability control Safety: front airbags; front side airbags; front knee airbags; side curtain airbags; optional rear side airbags; tire pressure monitor; optional automated parking guidance system and rearview camera 0-60 mph: 6.2 seconds Top Speed: 130 mph (governed) EPA City: 18 mpg EPA Highway: 27 mpg

Check out other Lexus models
See all of our Automobile Reviews
Visit the Lexus website

PJR121806

(Updated: 08/25/09 SV)