by J.T. Hills -
SGN Contributing Writer

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• Contemporary elegant styling
• Powerful yet frugal V-8
• Impressive safety features

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• Funnily enough, choppy freeway ride
• Looking for rear legroom? Order the “L” extended wheelbase version
• Pairing cell phone to Bluetooth should be a less complicated process

            Toyota first introduced the Lexus line in 1990 with the LS 400 as its flagship. The third-generation LS 430 debuted as a 2001 model with new safety technology, improved performance, and one of the first gas-powered V-8 engines to receive an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle certification. Replacing the LS 430 in 2007, the fourth-generation LS 460 is built on a sophisticated platform that maintains a balance between ride comfort and responsive handling. In addition to a long wheelbase model, the LS 460 L is available featuring 4.8 inches of additional space. For 2009, the Lexus LS 460 is available with full-time all-wheel drive. After spending a week with the 2009 Lexus LS 460, I’ve assimilated, corrugated, encapsulated, conjugated, and insinuated my own observations, and here they are:

            For those not affected by the recession, are you single?
            The Lexus LS 460 features a 4.6-liter V-8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and for the first time, all-wheel drive. The V-8 in the all-wheel drive model features 357 hp with 344 lb.-ft of torque with a 0-to-60 acceleration of 5.9 seconds while still achieving an EPA estimated 16mpg city and 23mpg highway.

            Such specifications beg for a road trip. Lucky for me, I had work in Eastern Washington to attend to. The first 500 miles is like a great first date; I was quite smitten with the horsepower, air-suspension with three settings, the super smooth eight-speed transmission, Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management system (it makes minor steering adjustments to improve control during challenging road conditions). The second 500 miles is the afterglow where you get over driving an $80k car and get to the nuts and bolts of what’s great, and maybe not so great.

            With the LS 460, there’s a lot about it that’s really, really great. For one, it’s just an aesthetically beautiful car, inside and out. The horsepower is delivered seamlessly in a very refined manner. For a car of its size, it handles surprisingly nimbly both on the freeway and in in-city driving. The technology incorporated in the LS is awe-inspiring and intuitive to use. When you’re not using a valet – and why wouldn’t you; it’s worth the response – the car parallel parks itself.

            After spending hours in the car, there are options that you find you really can’t live without – if you have the money. For me, it was the Dynamic Radar Cruise control with pre-collision system. You don’t really realize how often you’re constantly resetting the cruise control because someone’s driving 5 mph under the speed limit in the fast lane. The Dynamic Radar Cruise control automatically applies brakes when coming up on a car that’s going slower than you, and then resumes your set speed after they return to the lane they should’ve been driving in in the first place. You can also pace yourself behind state patrol cars and let them choose the speed – unless they’re in a high-speed chase.

            Another great option is the 19-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound package. Cher never sounded so fabulous!

            On the downside, for all its sophisticated technology, pairing up your phone to the Bluetooth is way too complicated. If you’re a tall, somewhat statuesque driver like moi, the rear legroom is surprisingly compact for a car of its size (although there is an extended wheelbase version available). After mile 750, you realize something is a bit off – it’s minor, but still off. The car rides a little choppy on the interstate no matter what mode you set the air-suspension. Oh, and lastly, the navigation system got me lost. Great for interstates (like it will find Spokane), not so great in the city.
 
            Okay, for an MSRP of $79,414, what do you get?
            The 2009 Lexus LS460 comes with just about every option you can think  of with a base sticker MSRP of $67,200, but believe it or not, you can add on more. Get out the checkbook; it’s worth it. Here are some of my favorites:
 
            Technical Features:

• 357hp 4.7-liter Four Cam 32-valve V-8 engine with electronic valve timing
• Dual fuel injection system
• Eight-speed sequential automatic transmission
• AWD with Torsen Limited Slip center differential
• Adaptive variable air suspension
• Variable gear ratio electronic power steering system
• Ventilated disc brakes with aluminum calipers
• 18” aluminum alloy wheels with V-rated tires and full-size spare tire

            Safety Features

• Driver and front passenger’s advanced airbag system with front passenger twin-chamber airbag, front seat side airbags, driver’s and front passenger’s knee airbag, front and rear side curtain airbags
• Electronic controlled braking, vehicle dynamic integrated management, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist
• High intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic auto leveling and integrated foglamps
• Adaptive front lighting system
• Rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers

            Interior Features

• Leather trimmed seats with Lexus memory seats
• Genuine wood interior trim
• Heated wood and leather steering wheel with multifunction controls
• One-touch open/close power tilt-and-slide moonroof
• Lexus 10-speaker, premium sound system with digital sound processor, automatic sound levelizer, in-dash single-feed six-disc CD changer
• Dual-zone climate control
• Power rear sunshade
• Lexus personalized settings

            Optional Equipment

• Navigation/ Mark Levinson package with reference surround sound, 19 speakers, DVD audio and DVD video playback, voice activated hard disc drive navigation with backup camera, Bluetooth, XM Satellite radio and NavTraffic with real-time traffic capability ($5,645)
• Lexus pre-collision system and dynamic radar cruise control ($2,850)
• Luxury Value Edition Package with Comfort Plus seating package with power rear seats with memory, rear seat side airbags, climate comfort front and rear cooled/heated seats, headlamp washers and intuitive parking assist, one-touch open/close power door closers ($2,895)

• Destination and delivery ($825)