Perfect? Maybe. Boring and Without a Soul? Yes. Long Term Lexus LS460 Review

The LS460 from Lexus is certainly a car to be reckoned with.  Without a doubt the quintessential Japanese luxury car, the LS is the car than can be credited with sending both Mercedes and BMW back to the drawing boards in the early 90’s to rethink what makes a great car, great.

A strong performer while being efficient, and less expensive than the rivals from Germany, the original LS was a hit.  In baseball terms this was a grand slam.  Lexus along with the rest of the automotive industry knew it, and Lexus hasn’t let up the pressure on the competition.  Arrogant in its slogan, “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection,” you have to wonder if perfect is too good.

In completing a long-term test of the new LS460, our friends at Motor Trend may have stumbled upon what for me seems to be the biggest problem with Lexus and the LS460.

Here are a few remarks made by MT:

“…At first, it was a time warp to 1989, the LS impressing us to no end.”

“…The driving experience transcends mere transportation and falls into the realm of therapy.”

“…It has a nice blend of ride and handling attributes – very appropriate for a luxury sedan.”

All good things to be said for sure, and compliments to Lexus for those remarks, and then it hit…

“…If you’re a driver, you’ll just find the whole experience numb and uninvolving.  There is no emotion to this car.  None”

And therein lies what I believe to be the biggest problem Lexus has.  Simply put, these cars ain’t got no soul.

No personality, no charisma, no charm.  They may be the best at what they do, but as they do it there is nothing to make the experience memorable.  You can chime in here all day long as to how great Lexus is or isn’t, what it boils down to is the fact that in comparison to cars from Mercedes BMW and Audi, the Lexus lineup is boring (with the possible exception of the IS-f, but we will leave that for another day).  Lexus is like the smart kid in school who knew every answer but had no personality.  Fun perhaps to have as a partner in a school project because you know you will get the “A,” but this is not the kid you are inviting to your birthday party to see what crazy antic is going to be pulled next.

BMW and Mercedes offer their drivers a level of excitement and personality that Lexus either by design or by ignorance largely has left out of their cars.  And while perfection sells, some people want more.

I WANT MORE!

And capturing that soul, that spirit, that charisma - it really doesn’t matter what you call it.  That special something that takes a hunk of metal, steel, plastic and leather and turns it into a living breathing entity that people lust after, that is what makes a good car great.

And I am sure Lexus has it in them to produce.  And imagine the reviews then.  You think they are good now – they would only get better.

A Lexus with soul.

Soul is what makes legends out of mere metal.  Ferraris have a soul, Lamborghinis have a soul, BMW’s have a soul, the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Oprah is auctioning off has a soul, and people flock to cars with soul.  Because once it is in you, it is nearly impossible to go back to driving a mere car.

Lexus (and I am talking directly to Lexus, the rest of you skip this paragraph and resume reading at the next paragraph) if you want to kick the snot out of Mercedes and BMW, inject some soul into your already perfect cars.  Make them sing with attitude and charisma.  Make them such that when a non-Lexus owner rides or drives in one, he or she HAS TO HAVE IT.

Don’t misunderstand me; the guys at Motor Trend loved the LS460.  They even state missing having it around.  They write, “…every one on staff has longed for the luxurious Lexus...” however a few lines later conclude by saying, “…when the road got twisty, we wished we had a sportier, more responsive long-termer…”

Lexus may have it right for Lexus, but I can tell you from personal experience, there is a whole class of customer out there just waiting for perfection coupled with soul. 

Produce a perfect car with soul, and you will OWN the market.

0to60 - 7/27/2008 7:29:18 PM

+11 Boost

I couldnt have said it better myself. Not everyone is after a performance sport sedan. Some want simply a smooth luxury ride. And Lexus appeals to that audience. Why must they be like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. Allow them to be different. Maybe they do appeal to a different audience. Whats so bad about that. Additionally I have driven he 7 series and didnt find it to be much fun. I dont think cars in that class are suppose to be that much fun. I think this article would have been better if you compared any of their other cars to the germans. The ES compared to... whatever the germans make that competes with it. The ES is a boring car. The GS is likely boring although I have never driven it. The 5 series is def a more fun option. The IS is fast but way to smooth and boring to match the excitement you get in the 335 and G35. Again, those would have been better Lexus models to compare to BMW or Audi or Mercedes, or even Infiniti. But the 7 like the LS are not the most exciting cars to drive. I wrote this while multi tasking so sorry if there are typographical and grammatical errors.

thecar - 7/28/2008 7:01:00 PM

-2 Boost

until lexus has a design theme , it is souless
flipping left and right with L finese , F badge dosent help

ghosthunter - 7/27/2008 4:36:11 PM

+13 Boost

was that surprising?
was there any non-german car ever had a soul? oh right, soul == german badge, no wonder!

gooch - 7/28/2008 10:23:39 AM

+3 Boost

Plenty of American cars have soul. Okay, used to, but at least there's the Corvette. The G8 GT. The SRT lineup. The GT500. The... uhhh... searching... errrrr...

tattedtwice - 7/27/2008 4:48:04 PM

-9 Boost

I remember driving a new ls4 with a family member who owns a new s 'class'. While I hate the benz, I can say with a straight face that it blows the toyota away. The ls just does NOT feel like a true highend-german competitor; it feels like it belongs in the $30-40k range.

I can see how it'd have a market, since 60 year olds arent interested in handling, styling, performance or soul, all things that the ls lacks. But for anyone looking for any of those, they have to buy German to get them.

bmwdrvr - 7/27/2008 5:05:26 PM

+12 Boost

now its styling is a bit underwhelming, but its interior certainly doesnt look like a 30-40,000 car its interior is every bit worthy of its asking price, not to mention lets be honest the only German fullsize sedan that fits all those things and consistently for years has been the 7 series and there are people that dont care for the 7 series for that reason because they feel a car of this size should focus more on luxury(I dont, but than again I doubt I would ever buy a full size anything), the S class hasnt always been as good as it is now in so many regards especially performance and handling, not to mention materials quality and reliability the same goes for the A8, and while the LS lacks the performance attributes of the 7 there are things about for its particular buyers that more than justify its honestly relatively low price by comparison to its german competition

528i - 7/27/2008 4:51:03 PM

+18 Boost

This car ment to be driven in, and not a track car. so there is no need to be sporty.

hao420 - 7/27/2008 6:06:45 PM

-1 Boost

Right..right...BMW fan understand that.....<

enthusiastx11 - 7/28/2008 1:15:24 AM

+1 Boost

why not? an S-class is quieter and smoother AND can handle twisty roads beautifully. a true luxury car should do EVERYTHING well. including indulging the driver when he wants to have some fun.

EL34 - 7/27/2008 5:26:24 PM

-11 Boost

If you want a Lincoln Town Car, Caddy DTS, Mississippi river barge or a common GOODYEAR Dirigible, then get the Lexus LS460.

It's like ridin' on a sponge :-\

hao420 - 7/27/2008 5:56:32 PM

0 Boost

Luxury saloon benchmark......<

macbjg - 7/27/2008 5:28:37 PM

-4 Boost

So true. That is what a Lexus is. Do they even sell manny trannys? They park themselves, they drive themselves, why even bother?

sector - 7/27/2008 5:38:16 PM

+3 Boost

"Car & soul" = active will of an image/brand conscious individual to project seemingly fatuous attributes as prestige, heritage and pedigree as when judging the merits of a particular marque... and therefore suffers from clouded judgment and objectivity, i.e., nothing but a brand whore :)

WorldofLuxury - 7/27/2008 5:53:26 PM

+8 Boost

These guys are hard to impress. We give them a luxury car that isn't a Merc and they complain that it's too soft. If we give them the IS-F, they'd complain that the ride is too harsh.
There's no way we can possibly impress them. Same thing goes with BMW road tests. All the journalists can say is..."It's sporty, grips really well, and handles perfectly...not the best but still every exciting, which is good enough...but the looks are controversial."
When Edmunds tested the Merc C-class, they didn't complain that the car shouldn't have fake leather, but instead, they praised it for being "PETA friendly."

Do these people know what they're talking about?!?!?!

MadibaP - 7/28/2008 9:03:26 AM

+4 Boost

For those that don't know what PETA is: People for Eating Tasty Animals

BigShow50 - 7/27/2008 5:59:47 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus has only been in the game for only 20 years, "the soul" you german fan boys claim you have, will soon be possesed as "Lexus Soul" is right around the corner. They have proven the "plush, comfort, quality" of what a luxury ride should be. Now they will re-define "the soul" of how it's driven. Don't talk too soon kids, Lexus has more than enough time to prove their point...so for now bash all you want, it will not phase them out...

Dr550 - 7/27/2008 6:34:36 PM

+5 Boost

Lexus was created to capture Toyota Cressida/Camry owners moving upmarket. They have done a good job. These customers want comfort and a quit ride. The majority of Lexus sales are RX/ES. Lexus now should be concerned with "Lexus Seoul" from Hyundai and forget about BMW/MB.

Jagexpert2 - 7/27/2008 6:17:01 PM

-1 Boost

BORING CARS!!!

AgentOrange - 7/28/2008 10:03:31 AM

+5 Boost

You wouldn't say that if you were a senior citizen...

abcd - 7/27/2008 7:04:39 PM

+4 Boost

LS400 and LS430 hadn`t a "soul" becouse they were imitation of s-class (though perfected but imitation) - at least at design theme , but this new LS460 has , even jeremy clarkson who don`t like lexuses wrote that it (ls460) has a "electronic" soul - AFB :

"In the olden days Lexi were bought only by northern businessmen who’d had a row at the lodge with the local Mercedes dealer. They were reliable, quiet and comfortable but utterly soulless. This new one, though, is AFB."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article1358270.ece

Handling doesn`t determine if some car have a soul . For example handling determine bmw`s "soul" but no rolls-royce , rolls needn`t to handle good but it definitelly has a soul , though it has different soul than bmw`s . Autor is thinking that LS460 hasn`t a "soul" becouse it`s not driver`s car - nonsense in my opinion . Young age of the brand also doesn`t determine if car has not a soul becouse that`s like saying that first lamborghinis hadn`t soul or ferraris , tatras .

AgentOrange - 7/28/2008 10:02:39 AM

+2 Boost

Exactly, not every car owner is into driving for performance and handling. Some just like a nice soft, cushy luxury ride..
This is the perfect car for the well-to-do 70+ crowd..
And I may be there some day,,,,, but not now...

xj13 - 7/27/2008 7:34:53 PM

-4 Boost

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

FactsRule - 7/27/2008 8:44:13 PM

-7 Boost

Speaking as someone who has owned numerous Luxury and Sport cars of all makes and models, I can honestly say that the German automakers have nothing to worry about, least of all Lexus.

My current 2008 BMW makes the Jap Lux brands look like and drive like crap.

I've owned Lexus, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, Infiniti, and 4 BMW's.

Tried them all and love BMW and Audi the most. The Lexus, Infiniti and Acura felt like tin cans and they drove like crap. Needless to say, I always came back to BMW which has all the bases covered: Quality, Luxury, Technology and most of all the "Drive" that no other automaker can duplicate.

I had the least amount of problems with the Bimmers, and the Audi. In fact I had no problems with them at all.

sector - 7/27/2008 9:22:39 PM

+1 Boost

Hate on Germaniacs, Lexus is #1 luxury in NA, end of story :)

muggum - 7/27/2008 9:25:46 PM

+5 Boost

I own a Lexus LS430, and I know this is heresy, but I LOVE that mushy, boat-like feel. Maybe it's 'cause I grew up riding in big Lincolns as a kid, but there's something to be said for a car that removes you entirely from the road, recreating your living room. I live in Los Angeles, and my LS430 is the best anti-stress device around. I'm never FURTHER from the road (feel, noise, etc.), and that's the POINT!

The best news... I used to own a Carrera C4S along with the Lexus... best of both worlds... as opposed to a 'sporty' luxury car that fails to be both by itself.

ICON - 7/28/2008 12:38:00 PM

+1 Boost

"a car that removes you entirely from the road, recreating your living room"
That is a great summation for the buyers of the LS. If septuagenarians want that in their auto - more power to them(great preparation for their last ride,in a hearse)

Just try and understand Lexus/Toyota fan boys that some luxury marques offer Luxury and performance in a great looking package.

So don't then be upset when the LS loses another comparison to a BMW,Merc,Audi etc because it doesn't perform well or is considered boring(i.e. no soul or spirit)
The LS is a nice appliance but it is not a great auto. It is beautifully executed inside, derivative and boring to look at on the outside and doesn't come close to performing like the tier one players in this market.

Tier one offerings should deliver Luxury with top of the line performance, anything less is a compromise.

efua - 7/27/2008 10:15:06 PM

+5 Boost

This car actually has soul. You just have to understand the main aim of this luxurious Japanese sedan. It was designed to make the driver feel super comfortable. It was made not to drive like a mercedes or a bmw and thats why it is a lexus. You have to understand the concept. Thats the same problem people have with the sc430. Everybody expects it to ride like a 650i or a cl550. It is a lexus coupe and you have to understand stand its concept which is to deliver comfort while accelerating/cruising. Just my opinion.

AgentOrange - 7/28/2008 10:11:52 AM

+2 Boost

Exactly right..
Try driving a BMW with the sport pkge and oversized tires after you've had both hips replaced and you'll know why the older folks have to move into a Lexus.
It's the luxury Boca Raton condo of the auto world..

MBKing - 7/27/2008 11:48:36 PM

-4 Boost

I've said it once and I'll say it again, If you still can eat solid food you don't drive a Lexus.

Lexus - 7/28/2008 12:37:19 AM

+6 Boost

This is coming for a automagazine publisher that published the BMW 7 Series First Drive Review. But they Never drove it?? LOL.........

Motor Trend probably the Worst auto magazine review out there in the U.S. for sure.

Come on...! give me a break, Just because you don't like a brand, you call it souless. Can you please tell you how you measure or decide if a car has a sold or not?

The Lexus brand has been the #1 premium for the last almost decade or so.

What bunch of Loser...! Give credit where it due.

528i - 7/28/2008 3:10:12 AM

0 Boost

agree.

kpaxx - 7/28/2008 9:38:09 AM

+1 Boost

S-Class is more luxurious than the LS! If you have been in both cars this would be obvious!

bimmer - 7/28/2008 11:59:31 AM

0 Boost

@kpaxx

How would a Lexus fan know about the difference you mention ?

The S class, for example, is almost twice the price of a LS.

2008 LS 460 L, all options, (even the "premium floor mats"... what a joke...!!!) = US $84,120.00

2009 Mercedes S600 = US $145,325.00
2008 BMW 760Li = US $142,008.00

bimmer - 7/28/2008 12:03:55 PM

+1 Boost

Ohhh and I forgot... the Lexus LS460L is V8, while both Mercedes and BMW are V12.

But then we know, you Lexus fans, are saving the planet...

silver1 - 7/28/2008 3:00:21 AM

+1 Boost

I totally agree with most of the comments. If I had to choose a car of this class it surely wont be something sporty, I would want the most luxurous car in that class. If I wanted something sporty it won't be anything that darn big.

Why would anyone want to choose a big huge $100,000 and like to turns at 60mph?

If I buy anything of this class it will be base off looks, features, technology, parks itself, mark Levinson sound system which is worlds best, ect....A car to impress and show off.

This car has the best soul of anything of it's class cause it's what a luxury coach, Chanel, vutton, prada, car should be.

Designer1 - 7/28/2008 7:20:05 AM

0 Boost

I won't comment on this German car fans bull shit. Only one thing I want to say about the LS460 that I've heard from my brother in law who drove his bosses LS460 for a trip from Arizona to California and he says that his boss was right when he said his LS460 does 31 mpg. The damn 4.6 V8 does 31 mpg on the high way, can you believe that??

This alone is worth more than all of the German cars combined.

Talking about soul now, I guess they gave up on the prestige crap and found a new term. lool

Agent00J - 7/28/2008 10:42:43 AM

-7 Boost

the big difference is that MT actually drove the Lexis before writing the review.

-00j

SteadFast - 7/29/2008 5:08:09 PM

+4 Boost

Mindworm you are so dead on about your comments it's refreshing. It's great to know there are those of us on this site that value more than just speculation, cander, and preferential bias, from someone who obviously ejoys spinning a story. Those of us who would rather have good journalism, facts, and details of the marvel of automotive engineering don't need to have this B.S. presented to us. Bravo Mindworm, well said. Glad to see you are on the site. I'm positive your words speak for many of us, as evident by the number of boosts.

kpaxx - 7/28/2008 9:25:58 AM

-2 Boost

How perfect is a car that doesn't handle as well as its competitors?

bigmotov - 7/28/2008 10:05:31 AM

+3 Boost

The only people who laugh at the "soul" comments more than me are the people at Lexus...and they are laughing all the way to the bank. My boss, who HAD an S-class, tried out an LS460 and immediately switched. Ask him about SOUL and he'll say, WTF are you talking about? He'll tell you to just drive the LS and try not falling in love. It's a poor man's Rolls Royce. If my boss wants this so-called "soul", he'll just drive his Porsche. Soul...LOL! Do people just repeat what they hear/read? Come up with something else already.

gooch - 7/28/2008 10:31:54 AM

+4 Boost

I love handling, I love speed and I love the sound of my Bimmer, but the ride I had in an LS460 was amazing. The sound system was incredible. The quietness, the smoothness, the utter lack of discernable effort with any system in the car -- it was awesome. Of course it won't drive like my Bimmer, but that is exactly the point. I felt refreshed when I got out of the Lexus, in the same way I feel exhilarated when I get out of my BMW. There's nothing wrong with a car that coddles.
But for now, I'll stick with the involvement, feel and sound of the Bimmer.

0to60 - 7/28/2008 10:41:57 AM

0 Boost

Funny how the BMW fanboys complain that Lexus copies Mercedes and BMW and now they are complaining because Lexus did not copy MB and BMW.

silver1 - 7/28/2008 2:39:20 PM

0 Boost

LOL!

0to60 - 7/28/2008 11:44:03 AM

+3 Boost

Basically he is saying that a large number of people in the US prefer Public Golf Courses based upon all that was mentioned.

0to60 - 7/28/2008 11:52:52 AM

+3 Boost

Basically he is saying that a large number of people in the US prefer Public Golf Courses based upon all that was mentioned.

sector - 7/28/2008 10:06:49 PM

+2 Boost

Typical journalist jibberish... most of them are conformists, they always go with the tide and always choose the more popular road. i.e., "German auto are the best". These chums can't think outside the box. Intelligent/wise people always choose Lexus/Toyota/Honda etc. because they can see through all the market hype and realize the value you get.

answer - 7/28/2008 11:22:15 AM

+2 Boost

Fact is that the S Class, 7 series, and LS are now all so good that the only thing left to argue about is intangible crap like "soul", "prestige", blah blah blah.

And when you are talking about "soul" and "prestige" remember you are talking about your opinion.

Maybe it's my age factoring in (31), but growing up and seeing the Lexus brand emerge and grow, Lexus definately has a "soul" to me.

But I wouldn't be stupid enough to try and convince others to view everything as I do.

Htay7500 - 7/28/2008 12:53:01 PM

+3 Boost

I'd never be interested in this segment, although the legroom in each of the cars that the ls competes and the LS itself is amazing.

pelucidor - 7/28/2008 2:05:18 PM

+1 Boost

How can anyone buy a BMW 7 or a Mercedes S-class when they have so little soul or racing heritage compared to the Maserati Quattroporte. Honestly you would have to be over 90 years old to prefer the Germans large sedans to the one true country of automotive soul: Italy.

More seriously however, a 40-year old colleague of mine buoght an LS460 about 6 months ago to replace his BMW 5-series. He was totally against Lexus initially because of of the usual 'no passion/soul' diatribe on the web but I told him to test-drive the LS. He loved it and raves about it every week - unbelievable car in his opinion.

I agree with the guy who said no one car can do everything for every person - get a 535/E550/GS430/Jaguar XF together with a Lotus Elise or Honda S2000 for the price of a 750 or S-class.

Ironman273 - 7/28/2008 2:34:59 PM

+2 Boost

If they build in a "soul" they will not own the segment. They will drive away a lot of customers that like Lexus' soul just were it is: uninvolved. The writers that work for these magazines and websites are passionate about driving, which is great. The Lexus drivers are not. Its a matter of "if it works for them." I have spoken to countless people when I used to work for Lexus that HATE the soul of the German cars and would never drive something so "rough." I hear it directly from my mother, an LS430 driver.

I prefer German cars because I like their soul but it doesn't mean everyone should be like me and it definitely doesn't mean I will dislike a company that caters to a different taste than mine.

0to60 - 7/28/2008 3:38:22 PM

+1 Boost

00J may be asking lexus to provide a sport version of this car. Now that, Lexus will likely screw up! But thats ok because its not their thing. Would be nice if they tried and got it right however...

LexSucks - 7/28/2008 3:38:46 PM

+2 Boost

Wasn't lexus supposed to be owning the segment already? Lexus fans have been saying that same crap for about a decade now. And Lexus still have yet to build a BMW Killer.

I think that people need to understand that Lexus isn't a BMW competitor. MB/Acura/Infinti competitor yes, BMW Competitor? Heck No!

Lexus need to stick to soft luxury. That is where they seem to have future, and thats only in the US (the most car dumb nation on the planet). The rest of the world is too smart to pay BMW prices for a Toyota.

sector - 7/28/2008 10:14:47 PM

-4 Boost

Take a poll, the average IQ level of a Lexus/Toyota driver is out of reach for BMW drivers. I've never seen people in the academia driving around in dreary BMWs :)

Caraficionado - 7/29/2008 2:09:08 PM

+1 Boost

I just think there's enough space in this world for the S-Class, the 7 series and the LS to co-exist, so even as a Merc fan I don't mind the LS being an excellent car.

izfuney - 7/29/2008 3:10:59 PM

+1 Boost

lol Auto001, you might be right about academics.
Most people who have an interest in life prefer the soul to be between the steering wheel and the back of the driving seat.
I guess C&D prefers it to be in the engine bay. Its sad as to what they have become.
There was a time when how you drove the car defined you as a gearhead, your knowledge of suspension setup , trail braking , and the gearing setup in your car to maximize your lap time is what made you an affecionado.
Now .. as per C&D, they want cars that give them nervous quivers so their amateur hineys can feel special... truly sad.

StickShiftCamry - 7/30/2008 10:22:36 PM

+1 Boost

LS 460 has soul - it has standard air suspension - ready to be kitted, tightened, dropped. These idiots want what every white boy drives, a 5 series. Can't wait for my 530 lease to be over. I'm getting sick of it.