Matt takes the Lexus LS460 F-Sport in the one place you'll probably never see one: the canyons. Time to find out if Lexus's newest full size luxury car is deserving of its F-Sport badge.
The beauty about Lexus reliability is unlike that of parent company Toyota, Lexus cars are about as complicated in luxury and tech as its European counterparts. Making a Corolla reliable vs. a Focus is easy; there's simply not much to break in the Corolla. Making a LS460 reliable vs. a 750i is harder once you account for all the millions of power adjusters, electronic this & than, sensors, radar, motors and all the things luxury cars are expected to have. Yet that's what Lexus does and continues to do. This alone is why I hold Lexus in the same regard as Mercedes, Audi and BMW. IMO Acura and Lincoln doesn't even come close.
Wow you are salty. Don't get me wrong I actually driven a Focus twice as a rental and I would love to own one...but the Powershift 6spd DCT is a sore spot and the MyFordTouch in the pre-2017 models are glitchy with no real solution from Ford.
First gen LS was so refined, sometimes I would accidentally lock the car into 2nd gear and I wouldn't even notice until I passed 65 mph and I start to hear the engine
Can you get the same TRD package like you can for the tundra and tscomas? That would be really sweet. Lexus is really overlooked I think for the performance of their cars.
LOL at the Cadillac comment. I remember reading a passage in the book 'Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit' about how GM bought some of the first LS400s and disassembled them to see what they could learn. Their engineers basically concluded that GM could never hope to build a car remotely close to the same quality. Hopefully that has changed...
Cadillac has come a long way since their dreadful devilles and northstars. Some good styling, some great power plants…. But there’s something about owning a car that’s put together by people who don’t do drugs or drink beer on their breaks that I like.
I agree, the first gen LS revolutionized the industry... That is much harder to do these days . Great wave to the passer by, keeping the burnout classy!
I drive a 92 LS400. Had it for 5 years, I'm the second owner. Apart from regular services it's never been into the shop. That's a 22 year old V8 that's never had a breakdown or mechanical failure. 240,000km on the clock and it doesn't miss a beat. Starts first time every time. Purrs like a kitten until you mash the pedal. Up to 2500rpm it's whisper quiet. Anything over 3500 RPM and it starts to sounds like a sports car. My only complaint is because it's so quiet and smooth I always think I'm driving slower than I really am.
Audio Adventurer PERFECTLY SAID I ALWAYS SAY THAT ABOUT MY 2006 Lexus LS430 I OWN DRIVES FAST BUT SO WHISPER QUEIT AND SMOOTH CAN’T TELL MOST OF THE TIMES PERFECT CAR TO GET TICKETS IN IF NOT CAREFUL I GUESS THATS WHY SOME PEOPLE WHO DROVE LEXUS LS SAY IT’S BORING WITH NO SOUL BECAUSE U CAN’T FEEL THE SPEED MOST OF THE TIMES OR HEAR THE ENGINE LOL BUT I LOVE MINES AND NEVER GETTING RID OF IT 😎
Yepp, I drove one of these from Munich to Barcelona and WTF ! I was driving 200KPH or 120 MPH at only 3000 RPM ! It felt like I was driving 60 MPH ! SHAT ! I have a 2005 ES330 and the ONLY THING that has EVER broken (kind of) was the alternator at 130,000 miles. It didn't really break, it just started making noise while I was driving from FL to AZ. I pulled over at PEP Boys and bought a lifetime warranty alternator and replaced it MYSELF in under 30 minutes with the tools provided in the tool kit. I needed a bolt wrench and a tightening wrench. BOOM ! and I can't even fix a chain on a bike. Beautifully engineered.
My mom got hit in an RX300, rolled over 3 times, survived without a scratch, then 2 weeks later bought the RX330, and now owns a RX350. The car saved her life, now I own a GS350, im Lexus for life, the 460 L is my next car in about 2 years. Great vid BTW.
+Brad Doan My GS350 was totaled in a flood in Virginia Beach a few months after the original comment, I recieved a great deal on a 2010 CLS63 and took it. Im trading in my wifes 14' Altima for a 2015 IS350 in june. One can never tell the future!
We drove a 2012 STI and hated it. We didn't make a video with it because we'd spend the whole time trashing the car and probably never get another subaru press car again. The new Accord is actually pretty nice. I drove one for a few minutes and was surprised (V6/Manual).
or it could be because the power comes in so linear that it doesn't feel as quick. because i know that a turbo car feels quick because of the sudden quick in the back from the turbo kicking in even though i know i ain't going to be faster than a lot of cars on the road.
i can confirm the reliability i have just changed the altenator on my 1991 sc400 and it was the original one of the car so it lasted 23 years, i think it's awesome.
The top-tier Lexus's feel very well built and engineered to last. While no car will ever feel as over-engineered as the original LS, this car offers just the right amount of tech, luxury, and finesse for the right price.
smithraymond09029 I got a 97 LS400 and I absolutely love it. I put the ls430 5 spoke wheels on it and made the paint a mono tone darkish grey. Got 184k miles and I plan to keep it for past 300k.
I know that feeling. You kind of feel invincible, just knowing that you have a car that will last well into 400-500k with just simple maintenance plus that non-interfence v8 that's toyota with love lol.
That's what I mean. Nothing. Not a piece of trim, not a loose hose, not an alignment, not a single thing of any kind has broken on any of the cars. Plenty of cars will "make it" to 200,000, or even 400,000 miles, but to own five versions of a car, from 1999 to 2011, and never requiring even the smallest little repair is extraordinary.
My grandfather bought an LS430 brand new back in 2003 and had it up until now in 2022. The only thing that failed was the cheap AutoZone battery. It ran, drove, and performed perfectly up until they sold it this year. To date I have never driven a more comfortable or quiet car. Truly one of the best cars ever made.
I bought a 95 GS in 2004 with 60 k miles, 10 years later the car now has 200 k . I agree with this guy these cars especially the first generation ones are probably the best built cars in the history of cars. The only major problem was I had to put in a new radiator and harmonic balancer. Other than that it continues to run very smooth and quiet,
There is no such thing as a boring Lexus LS unless you have bad taste. Some people would rather buy a 2013 v6 Challenger and you can get an 2008 ls460 for the same price. The Challenger feels super cheap compared to the Lexus, but some people consider it to be a more exciting car. The R/T is exciting for the price, but the interior feels extremely cheap and ugly as sin.
kdu8004 Forest Gump can you respond with a more simple reply? Maybe you can't read? Go drive both cars and maybe you'll understand unless you have bad taste.
Well said. I'd rather have a lex and tune it up if I want more power than a high powered car that I have to think about getting rid of after a year of ownership because i'm scared of the cost.
It is so amazing to read all the comments posted in this video on the reliability of Lexus cars and even stick with Lexus for life... this is the brand confidence that Lexus & Toyota have ever established globally. Currently, I owed a 2014 RX350, 1997 Prado, 1992 Celica GT4, 1997 Celica GT4 right now. None of them disappointed me till today. So I am going to get 1 LS460L (year 2014) next if I have ever find a good low mileage to keep next.
You're right, it wouldn't be the most exciting thing ever. I tend to drive cars as they are intended to be driven. When I drive a fast car, I go fast. When I drive a luxury car, I drive above the speed limit, but the limits of these cars are much lower (unless you have an airfield on which to drift a Bentley, a la JC). And Chris is an extremely talented driver, so he can take whatever risks he wants with his life and his cars. I will drift on a track or a skidpad, never on a public road.
I consider the 2013 LS as a mid-cycle refresh. Completely redesign interior and a half design on the exterior. Still impressed with the LSF (AWD). It has made the list for a possible future purchase.
Why do I need to talk about the appearance of a car when I have all this pretty video of it so you can decide on your own if you like how it looks? It's not like what I think of a car's looks will affect what you think of a car's looks...
"Just a Lexus" is a good thing when it comes to dealing with maintaining and repairing these cars. My family has also owned a Mercedes S500, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, BMW 750Li, and Audi Q7 TDI. Any of those cars individually has had more problems than my family's six Lexus's combined.
i've been watching your reviews for a while matt, and ...i must say...i really look forward to watching your reviews no matter what the car is. i can tell when you get pissed off at a car and when you genuinely love what you're driving (like that beast of a supra). so overall keep it up. who knows maybe one day ill be lucky enough to hang with you and shoot some pool
Mercedes S500 transmission locked up three times, rendering the car immobile, within first 10,000 miles. Porsche Cayenne Turbo blew hoses off every few months. BMW 7-series we've bent 4 wheels, had ABS lights come on, check engine lights, and chewed through tires. Audi Q7 TDI steering wheel adjuster keeps breaking.
I can't find any flaws in it, besides what I mentioned (lack of power). Have you driven it? If so, what are the flaws you've pointed out from driving it?
That's if you take an average, which isn't entirely accurate, especially when you consider the fact that she STILL OWNS all five Lexus's. The oldest, a 1999, has 150,000 miles. The newest, a 2011, has just 10,000 miles. There's also a 2002, 2005, and 2008 model in there with between 40,000 and 90,000 miles. Putting that many miles on that many cars and having ZERO issues of any kind, is incredible. I'm not saying they are all just running, but that none have needed a single thing.
Hey @TheSmokingTire (Matt), I really appreciate the hard work you put into your videos/reviews, its because of you I ordered an LS 600h F-Sport, I was hoping/wondering if you'll be making a review on it soon. Thanks Aly
Awesome report!!!! Lexus is an Top relaiblitly Champ!!!!!! Built quality is awesome!!!! You are awesome sir! Please, more Lexus cars review!!! God bless you, Sir!
Very easy: use your left foot on the brake, just enough pressure to keep the car from rolling but not jammed on the floor. Turn off traction control all the way, use maximum sport setting, and mat the throttle. Balance the throttle with your right foot and the brake with your left foot.
Got a 2010 GS460 ... rear wheel drive (cheaper to maintain ) 342 hp but easy to uptune ... 140km ... $11000 nz ... had about 5 lexus and a mk3 supra 7mgte ... 550hp ... toyota /lexus al the way .. used to love the old quad cam 4litre coupes .. 92 ... i had (think only abt 1000 made ) brought it in 95 $35k nz the all wheel steer model ... plus the gs460 between 08-13 rare as .. 1616 units only made for world market ...
Matt, you might not remember as this was posted almost three years ago, but did you switch the car to "Sport S" or "Sport S+" mode. In the video you said you put the car into the former which doesn't actually alter settings for the steering or suspension, just throttle.
Best. I’ve had the 2003. 430 I had the 2003 for 13 years. And I now have the 13 and I’m loving this LS 460. It’s 10 years old now just hit 80,000 miles.
As we don't get that engine and drivetrain here in the US, I have to make the argument that those problems are unique to that drivetrain and probably don't apply to gas powered Lexus's (in my experience).
I think that if Lexus took the V10 engine from the LFA and stuck it into the LS, then it would be more than capable enough to compete against its AMG Mercedes and BMW M counterparts.
Lexus's are the best cars ever. My first car was a 2002 Lexus GS. Never had a problem. At 180,000 miles I was in a head-on collision. I was able to drive it off the road to a gas-station parking lot where it was towed to a junk yard. My replacement was a 2002 Lexus LS which has 200,000 miles and never broken down. My offroad vehicle is a modified 1999 LX with 300k miles on it. After scaling a mountain on a dirt bike trail, a coolant hose ruptured overheating the engine and setting my engine compartment on fire. After I put the fire out and then using hand tools and some spring water in the radiator, it started right back up and drove down the mountain. Since that incident, it has done quite a few jeep trails and was in the recent Yotamafia Toyota truck rally in Atlanta. Anyway... best cars/SUV's you can buy, whether used or new. If you buy new, you are buying something you can easily take to 400k miles and keep for 25 years.
Austin Blair I drive a 99 Es for past 7 years. Hve had the common 1mz problems repaired but overall at 275,000 miles and still will track down freeway at triple digit speeds very comfortably! I love mine. I’m thinking of going 1st gen GX to get off the ground but my Es is with me for life.
That's fine, and you roll the dice if you do. I've owned German, Japanese, and American cars, and though I've enjoyed driving the German cars the best, they have all been at the dealer for something besides service, which has usually left me stranded on the side of the road. American cars are very dependable, but little trim pieces break all the time, and the Japanese cars have never had issues of any kind.
Thanks for the honest review. I briefly text drove a 2013 Lexus GS F Sport. It had the cranberry interior and dark gray exterior with all the bells and whistles. It also had the same touchy breaks. IMO, Lexus is still making some very nice looking and reliable vehicles. I have a 1992 SC 400 and it is still running strong and looking good. The only problem now is Lexus no longer makes certain replacement parts for this car.
7:11 because of that stock x-pipe. If you left everything stock and just replaced the x-pipe part with two separate straight pipes it’d get a lot more character while staying relatively quiet.
First LS changed the world. I was fortunate enough to have 3 “old world” Lexus cars. A gs300, gs400 and an LS430. I miss all 3. It’s been quite some time, and I’m about to go back to Lexus.
I don't know reliability ratings for the current 5-series, but the TL's are very solid. Maybe a bit bland in how they drive, but definitely solid, reliable, proven cars.
haha first car was and is a 90 ls400. i cudnt get rid of it made it a project once i got my ls460. i have a 07 though. planning on getting the rc f. i have a 1jz swap pushinhg around 400whp on my ls400. i rmeber when i first got it 2 years ago. really was impressed. it really is one of the best cars ever built
Mario dablife wow sorry to hear. but why didnt you build the the v8 thats allready in it, its crazy strong just like the JZ engines. good for the same power as the 2jz if not more.
thealeksanderh I wanted to but the 1uz has no support. I could've got a supercharger and pushed about 400hp max on a engine with 190k on it. I know the 1uz in indestructible but the after markeet support sucks for the engine
