The 2007 Lexus LS 460 is the car you might drive to impress the old gang at your (20th, 30th, 40th, etc.) high school reunion. Especially if you expect to run into that football captain—the one who should have asked you out instead of that perky cheerleader who wore his letter jacket every day. Imagine how sweet the revenge when the no-longer-perky cheerleader shows up carrying 60 unevenly distributed extra pounds, while you show up slim, trim, and elegant behind the wheel of this stunning car.
If the above scenario appeals to you, and if you have thousands of dollars to spare, then the Toyota Lexus LS 460 is definitely the car for you. While I didn't have a reunion to attend, I certainly got more than my fair share of attention everywhere I went in this luxury sedan. One 20-something even told me she was "obsessed with that car."
The Lexus LS 460 I drove came in Starfire Pearl, and its leather-trimmed interior, Lexus Memory System driver's seat and steering wheel, and outside mirrors were all welcome (and welcoming) touches. The Lexus also sports such standard features as smart access with push button start/stop, heated multi-adjustable power front seats, genuine wood interior trim, wood and leather steering wheel with multifunction controls, steering-wheel-mounted cruise control, one-touch power tilt-and-slide moon roof, Levelizer and in-dash single-feed 6-disc CD, Lexus 10-speaker premium sound system, CD autochanger/MP3 Player Connectivity, Dual Zone automatic climate control with interior air filter, smog sensor and automatic recirculation mode, HomeLink Universal Transceiver, and carpeted floor mats.
With a 4.6 Liter 380 HP four cam 32-valve V8 engine and electronically controlled intake valves timing, dual fuel injection system, 8-speed sequential automatic transmission, electronic throttle control system with "snow" and "power" modes, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels plus spare, this beauty proved to be a real beast on the road—easily reaching top speeds and maneuvering whenever and wherever the driver wants to go. In other words, my wish was this delightfully obedient sedan's command.
The Lexus LS knows when it's raining the moment the driver notices, and the windshield wipers turn themselves on and off accordingly. Safety features include driver and front passenger advanced airbag system with side airbags, knee airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags; pre-tensioners with force limiters for front and outboard rear seats, Electronic Controlled Braking, anti-lock braking system and brake force distribution with brake assist, automatic electronic parking brake, high intensity discharge headlamps with integrated fog lamps, and daytime running lamps; emergency interior trunk release; tool kit, and first aid kit.
With all these standard features, the starting price suggested by the manufacturer was a remarkable (for a luxury sedan with a terrific re-sale value) just $61,000. Options included a navigation system with 19-speaker DVD audio and video playback, voice activated, with backup camera, Bluetooth technology, XM Satellite Radio and NavTraffic with real-time traffic capability, Intuitive Parking Assist, Comfort Plus Package including power rear seats, heated steering wheel, climate comfort front and rear seats, power rear sunshade, and headlamp washers,.
The Lexus LS 460 gets a combined highway/city driving 10.8 L/100 km. Image enhancement value: priceless.
Editor's note: The Lexus LS 460 goes on sale in October in Canada and prices will be announced closer to that time. The base price for the 2007 model was $86,400.
Jo Ann Holt is a car columnist and journalist based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of the Texas Auto Writers Association who can be reached at joannholt@charter.net .
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