2007 Lexus LS 460 Review

A car that parallel parks itself? Any auto with that feature should draw the attention of even folks who have as much emotional attachment to autos as they do to a city bus.

The redesigned 2007 Lexus flagship LS 460 sedan arrives with that $500 Advanced Parking Guidance System -- a "first" in the auto world. But is Lexus just showing off here with a headline-grabbing gimmick?

There's little need in most areas for parallel parking with today's drive-in parking spots -- a good thing because many folks seemingly have dreadful parallel parking abilities.

Here's how it works: After a driver has correctly positioned the car and identified the desired parking spot via the dashboard navigation screen, the system uses the backup camera and the parking sonar sensors and power steering system to automatically guide the car into the spot, while the driver controls speed via braking.

But the LS needs lots of room to automatically steer itself into a parallel parking space or to back into a straight-in space. Programming the parallel parking feature is bothersome and shouldn't be done too quickly. You might have time for a latte before the car finishes parking.

(Mercedes-Benz offers a somewhat similar parallel-park system, but it calls for more driver involvement.)

Parking magic aside, this fourth-generation Lexus LS has stirring acceleration with its 4.6-liter 380-horsepower V-8 -- its first all-new V-8 since the LS was introduced in 1989.

The smooth V-8 works with the world's first eight-speed automatic transmission to provide fast, effortless acceleration. The transmission changes gears so smoothly you soon forget it has all those speeds. (The rival new Mercedes S-Class sedan has a seven-speed automatic, the top BMW sedan, a six-speed.)

The new Lexus is offered with the first long-wheelbase version of the car. The long-wheelbase LS 460 L is 202.8 inches long overall, against 198 inches for the regular model, which is plenty long. The longer version has a 121.7-inch wheelbase, which allows more rear-seat room, while the regular length version's wheelbase is 116.9 inches.

The regular length LS costs $61,000, while the long wheelbase version is $71,000. (Figure on higher prices for a low-volume gas-electric hybrid LS that arrives next year and will be the first vehicle with a full hybrid V-8 powertrain.)

There's a host of new technology for the LS. For instance, it offers an optional four-zone climate control that uses world-first infrared sensors in the interior roof headliner to measure rear-seat occupant body temperature.

A fully optioned LS has a record 11 air bags, 19 surround-sound speakers, a 30-gigabyte hard drive (storage for 2,000 music files) and five powered sunshades. A multifunction massage feature includes an enhanced massage mode for the right-rear seat.

A Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management stability system integrates a new electronically controlled brake system, electronic power steering, vehicle stability control, anti-lock-braking system and electronic brake-force distribution.

This is the first LS that has noteworthy styling personality. It's slightly longer, wider and lower than the 2001-2006 versions and looks more aggressive. But it still doesn't stand out much from the Japanese luxury car crowd because the LS has always been a winner for Lexus, and radical styling changes thus aren't on the menu.

Show-car quality paint comes from two hand-sanding operations, and the leather-and-wood interior materials are superb. The leather steering wheel trim is extensively buffed to give it a kid-glove feel. Lexus worked to make the sound of the doors opening and closing reminiscent of skillfully crafted wood doors in a home.

The LS is so aerodynamic that it has an astonishing low drag coefficient of .26. (A .30 reading is very good, even for a sports car, let alone a luxury boat such as the LS.) The result is virtually no wind noise in the deadly quiet interior and lower fuel consumption.

Estimated fuel economy is 18-19 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway -- not bad for a powerful sedan that weighs 4,244 to 4,332 pounds.

Premium fuel is required because this engine is a picture of sophistication, with such things as a dual fuel injection system with both port and direct injection.

An available electric power steering system that does away with a hydraulic system's weight and complexity provides a natural level of effort -- something not all electric steering systems possess.

The LS has limousine-like ride quality. Standard is a new front/rear multilink steel-spring suspension that works fine. Also offered is an optional sport-tuned air suspension and larger 19-inch (vs. standard 18-inch) wheels in the available Touring package, which provides sharper handling and flatter cornering. The package also provides variable gear ratio steering and brakes with larger rotors for surer stopping.

The LS 460 doesn't speak to car enthusiasts, and it's practically nowhere with the hip-hop crowd. Rather, it's for practical careerists who want a solid, reliable, well-priced luxury sedan.