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2008
Lexus LS 460

Starts at:
$62,900
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New 2008 Lexus LS 460
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn
    Starts at
    $62,900
    16 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LWB
    Starts at
    $72,900
    16 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460 2008 Lexus LS 460

Notable features

380-hp V-8
Eight-speed automatic
Long-wheelbase model
Optional self-parking system
Optional Pre-Collision System

The good & the bad

The good

Powerful yet frugal V-8
Long-drive comfort
Spacious backseat
Interior style
Impressive self-parking system

The bad

Touchy brakes
Ride gets choppy on concrete highways (steel suspension)
Trunk shrinks with optional rear air conditioning
Ice and snow accumulation confuses park sensors

Expert 2008 Lexus LS 460 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Tom Strongman
Full article
our expert's take


The first Lexus LS 400 was a groundbreaking car when it appeared in 1989, and the luxury segment hasn’t been the same since.

The current car is the fourth-generation LS, and in many ways it is just as significant as the first car in terms of defining the brand. The LS 460 has a magic-carpet ride. It has an uncanny smoothness regardless of the road surface, yet it handles with precision. The 380-horsepower V-8 can return in excess of 24 mpg at highways speeds.

For 2009, Lexus will offer all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive versions have a drivetrain that is almost identical to the one used on the hybrid LS600h. A Torsen limited-slip differential distributes drive torque between the front and rear wheels. The front-to-rear bias is set at 40:60, but it can change to 30:70 depending on conditions. All-wheel-drive versions will come standard with air suspension, variable-gear-ratio steering and adaptive variable suspension.

The LS is available in two sizes, and all-wheel drive is optional on either. The standard model has a 116.9-inch wheelbase while the LS 460L has a 121.7-inch wheelbase. The long wheelbase provides extra length for a reclining rear seat that “transports its rear-seat passengers in an environment whose luxury features closely resemble those of a private jet,” according to Lexus press materials.

The test car was a 2008 LS 460L, and its base price was $72,000.

Prices for 2009 start at $63,675 for the standard model and $67,200 for all-wheel drive. The long-wheelbase model begins at $73,585 while one with all-wheel drive starts at $77,110.

As you would expect from a car in this segment, the LS 460 is loaded with technology. The butter-smooth V-8 cranks out 380 horsepower, and it’s mated to the industry’s first eight-speed automatic transmission. The LS can also be equipped with a self-parking system.

The engine is all new, and it combines both port and direct fuel injection. Electric motors control the variable valve timing and electronic intake cam. Lexus said it is the first to use such a design. To reduce friction and vibration, parts of the crankshaft are polished mirror-smooth. During assembly, the engine is cranked by an electric motor as technicians measure for vibration.

According to Lexus, the paint process is a story in itself. The company invented six-axis robots, capable of three-dimensional movements, to polish the body before paint is applied. It took six months just to devise the software to make them work. Then, as successive layers of paint go on, the car is hand-sanded twice.

Attention to detail is evident when you slide behind the wheel. Out on the road, the LS is as quiet as a football stadium on Monday and as serene as Queen Elizabeth. It rolls so smoothly you would swear the wheels are hardly touching the ground.

But don’t let the smoothness fool you. Stamp the throttle and the LS accelerates with authority, more like a sports car than a luxury sedan. That level of performance is certainly different from earlier models that were spirited, but not quite like this.

The LS 460 is capable of accelerating to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds. The engine meets standards for ultra-low-emissions vehicles and is rated at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. That’s excellent for a car of this size and with this much horsepower.

Inside, the cabin’s elegance is understated. The leather seats are deep and cozy, and they have a wide range of adjustment. They are, of course, heated and cooled. The optional power rear seat is heated and has a memory setting.

To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com

2008 Lexus LS 460 review: Our expert's take
By Tom Strongman


The first Lexus LS 400 was a groundbreaking car when it appeared in 1989, and the luxury segment hasn’t been the same since.

The current car is the fourth-generation LS, and in many ways it is just as significant as the first car in terms of defining the brand. The LS 460 has a magic-carpet ride. It has an uncanny smoothness regardless of the road surface, yet it handles with precision. The 380-horsepower V-8 can return in excess of 24 mpg at highways speeds.

For 2009, Lexus will offer all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive versions have a drivetrain that is almost identical to the one used on the hybrid LS600h. A Torsen limited-slip differential distributes drive torque between the front and rear wheels. The front-to-rear bias is set at 40:60, but it can change to 30:70 depending on conditions. All-wheel-drive versions will come standard with air suspension, variable-gear-ratio steering and adaptive variable suspension.

The LS is available in two sizes, and all-wheel drive is optional on either. The standard model has a 116.9-inch wheelbase while the LS 460L has a 121.7-inch wheelbase. The long wheelbase provides extra length for a reclining rear seat that “transports its rear-seat passengers in an environment whose luxury features closely resemble those of a private jet,” according to Lexus press materials.

The test car was a 2008 LS 460L, and its base price was $72,000.

Prices for 2009 start at $63,675 for the standard model and $67,200 for all-wheel drive. The long-wheelbase model begins at $73,585 while one with all-wheel drive starts at $77,110.

As you would expect from a car in this segment, the LS 460 is loaded with technology. The butter-smooth V-8 cranks out 380 horsepower, and it’s mated to the industry’s first eight-speed automatic transmission. The LS can also be equipped with a self-parking system.

The engine is all new, and it combines both port and direct fuel injection. Electric motors control the variable valve timing and electronic intake cam. Lexus said it is the first to use such a design. To reduce friction and vibration, parts of the crankshaft are polished mirror-smooth. During assembly, the engine is cranked by an electric motor as technicians measure for vibration.

According to Lexus, the paint process is a story in itself. The company invented six-axis robots, capable of three-dimensional movements, to polish the body before paint is applied. It took six months just to devise the software to make them work. Then, as successive layers of paint go on, the car is hand-sanded twice.

Attention to detail is evident when you slide behind the wheel. Out on the road, the LS is as quiet as a football stadium on Monday and as serene as Queen Elizabeth. It rolls so smoothly you would swear the wheels are hardly touching the ground.

But don’t let the smoothness fool you. Stamp the throttle and the LS accelerates with authority, more like a sports car than a luxury sedan. That level of performance is certainly different from earlier models that were spirited, but not quite like this.

The LS 460 is capable of accelerating to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds. The engine meets standards for ultra-low-emissions vehicles and is rated at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. That’s excellent for a car of this size and with this much horsepower.

Inside, the cabin’s elegance is understated. The leather seats are deep and cozy, and they have a wide range of adjustment. They are, of course, heated and cooled. The optional power rear seat is heated and has a memory setting.

To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com

Available cars near you

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
6 years
Powertrain
6 years / 70,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
2 years / unlimited miles from your certified vehicle date of purchase.
Basic
2 years / unlimited miles from your certified vehicle date of purchase. Coverage begins after completion of the 4-year / 50,000 new vehicle Basic Warranty.
Dealer certification
161-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.9 / 5
Based on 71 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.9
Interior 4.8
Performance 4.8
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • Nothing better on the road…period

    This vehicle outdistances any other luxury car I’ve driven, by virtually every measure. Moreover, its automotive integrity and reliability (which mean fewer repairs) are unsurpassed. Every time I read accounts of MBS550 owners crying over maintenance expenses, I have to chuckle. For a pure luxury blue blood, pay $30-50k less for an LS and enjoy the ride.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    14 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Thanks Lexus

    I bought my 2008 ls 460 with 69,000 miles and I feel as if I am in a SPACESHIP especially on the highway since then I am at 111,000 and it is a delight and keeps me content with it preventing me from purchasing another and I also like how Lexus vehicles maintain high resale values It my 2nd LS and I appreciate my ride👍🏾
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The LS460 is a treat

    I bought my used in an estate sale with 70,000 miles on it. Mechanics tell me it's still a baby. Hundreds of thousands of miles more to go... And apparently, the first owner went for all the options because I regularly discover a feature I hadn't seen before. But the obvious soft, self-closing doors is a great one. Creature comforts galore. The ride? Quiet. Cloudlike, indeed. The eight-cyclinder engine loves gas, and that is a tradeoff in this era of high gas prices, but I love this car anyway. It is more than just transportation. It's an experience. My elderly pop had been in all kinds of luxury vehicles before I took him for a few rides in the ls460. He volunteered that it was the best car he'd ever been in. Now I can tell you that it is 2008 model. It was way ahead of its time.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    15 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Lexus Great Cars!

    I've own this vehicle for 14 years. It makes me smile everytime I drive. I got rid of a 97 Infiniti Q45. Far better quality than the Infiniti! I told my wife she can bury me in this vehicle:) that's how much I love it. Only has 63,500 original miles. Its been my weekend and special event vehicle. Obsidian black with beige interior! Most of major issues with car were covered under warranty like brake activator issues! Love Lexus so much I bought a 2021 RX 350 AWD traded in my 2016 Audi Q5 with 50k miles! Much more room in RX 350. Very comfortable and comes with a lot of driving safety features. I got the premium model!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    10 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Most comfortable & reliable car I have ever owned

    This car met or exceeded all my comfort and performance needs. This is my 3rd Lexus in a row. I am the second owner. The Nav System, which I did not use, went out when I had to change the battery. My next car will be a Lexus I need a car that is comfortable & dependability!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    12 people out of 13 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • I am a car guy and this is by far the best ever!

    Best car ever with most expenses been tires/brakes and ww blades. Luxury at every option. Cruise control on flat (Kansa) will always be over 30 mpg.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    10 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Smooth!!!!!

    Smooth effortless power, quiet comfortable ride. Outstanding craftsmanship inside and out. I love that it does not have too many driver assists like newer models. Very satisfied with this purchase so far.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Most reliable care I have ever owned

    This car rides so smoothly and quietly. It is very comfortable driving and riding, front and back. I would recommend a Lexus LS to anyone as I have owned 5 since the 1990s.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 400, 430 and now 460. Best cars I have owned.

    I love the LS model. I've owned a 1991 LS 400, 2001 LS430 and now a 2008 LS460. They are great cars. Never had any major issues out of any of the LS' Ive owned. The 460 has a smooth ride, nice shape, is reliable and has the V8 power I like to have in a car. If my 2008 460 didn't have only 70k miles on it I would definitely want to get a LS500 but I'm going to get my money out of this car as I brought it in 2011 when it was only a few years old. Purchased it with 27k miles on it and it has never seen a winter under my ownership. This is the ultimate road trip car. Luxury, comfort and power all wrapped up in one.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • I love the classy style and rich color!

    This was the second Lexus I have owned. It is exactly the same year and color as my first one! I bought it because it had fewer miles only. I have purchased another (#3) blue Lexus for the same reasons. The comfort and quiet ride far surpass any new car in the price range. If you change the oil and check the tires, you will get another 80K miles of luxury driving!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Most trouble free car I ever owned

    Other than a few tiny items, (i.e., tire pressure sensors), no repairs required of any kind, other than the standard maintenance items, in over 130k miles and 12 years. Wonderful car.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Overall really great vehicle

    Overall really great vehicle, a lot of bang for your buck comes with a lot of features most modern cars still do not have. Would recommend this car to anyone
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2008 Lexus LS 460?

The 2008 Lexus LS 460 is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • LWB (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2008 Lexus LS 460?

The 2008 Lexus LS 460 offers up to 16 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2008 Lexus LS 460?

The 2008 Lexus LS 460 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2008 Lexus LS 460 reliable?

The 2008 Lexus LS 460 has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2008 Lexus LS 460 owners.

Is the 2008 Lexus LS 460 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2008 Lexus LS 460. 97.2% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.9 / 5
Based on 71 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.9
  • Interior: 4.8
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.8

Lexus LS 460 history

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