2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Testing and Finalists
Super high tech meets old-school luxury
By Allyson Harwood
Lexus's press materials don't state that the LS line of cars is aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class--but it is. Where the S-Class comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Lexus has eight. Did Mercedes go high-tech in the cabin? So did Lexus, but not to as extreme a scale as the new Mercedes. Are the dimensions the same? They sure are close.
The new LS, which comes with a long wheelbase or an upcoming hybrid version, offers a feeling of value. While base prices start at $61,715 and go to just over $94,000 with options, the Mercedes S-Class's MSRP is much more expensive, ranging from $86,000 to a whopping $182,000.
Upon getting behind the wheel of the preproduction Lexus, judges immediately noticed that this sedan has more of an old-school feeling of luxury--it's a fine car, but the suspension is soft and lacks the dynamics of the Benz. Acceleration is smooth and fast, and the eight-speed shifts quickly. The LS does a fine job in the corners, and there's minimal wind noise. However, editors found the steering a bit dead on-center. Brakes are impressive, but somewhat touchy. The cabin contains plenty of luxurious amenities as well as an attractive leather and dark-woodgrain layout, and the front and rear rows (the seats in both of which can recline) are comfortable and plenty roomy.
There's a feeling of detachment that wasn't observed in the S-Class and a sense of something intangible in the LS that keeps it from being the luxury-car champion over the Mercedes. Despite a quick 5.7 seconds to 60 mph and a 14-second quarter mile at 101 mph, given the choice between riding in the spacious back seat and serving as driver, many judges would opt to be passenger. Still, Mercedes-Benz-level tech in a creamy, quiet package with a $25,000 discount should make Stuttgart nervous.
| 2007 Lexus LS 460 |
| Base price range | $61,715-$71,715 |
| Price as tested | $67,360 (SWB) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan |
| Engine | 4.6L/380-hp/367-lb-ft DOHC 32-valve V-8 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Curb weight (f/r dist) | 4481 lb (51/49%) |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in |
| Length x width x height | 198.0 x 73.8 x 58.1 in |
| 0-60 mph | 5.7 sec |
| quarter mile | 14.0 sec @ 101.2 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 135 ft |
| 600-foot slalom | 60.1 mph, avg |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.81 g, avg |
| MT figure eight | 27.6 sec @ 0.63 g, avg |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 19/27 mpg |
| Sum Up | Doesn't offer the excitement and driving fun of a Mercedes--still, it'll give M-B a heck of a fight. |
| Bet you didn't know | You can switch off the LS 460's stability control because Toyota's U.S. execs lobbied Japan to make it happen. |
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