Lexus->ke47' determination to bring the fight in the luxury car segment manifests itself in the form of the 2014 LS sedan->ke436.

Available in the LS 460, the LS 460 L, and the LS 460 F Sport, the LS line is getting the attention it deserves, thanks in large part to a new styling language that made its debut on the 2013 model.

A year later, and the 2014 LS retains that same dynamic character with some new additions on the body and in the cabin to make it even more of an attractive luxury car->ke505 that touches on a lot of Lexus' growing profile as a player in the market.

One engine is still offered in the 2014 model, and that's a bit of a letdown. But for the most part, all of the new digs added to the 2014 LS all contribute in giving the luxury sedan->ke142 more appeal to its customers.

Belonging in a segment that includes the Mercedes S-Class, the Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series, it deserves to be given a shot to compete.

Updated 11/21/2014: Lexus brought a slightly updated LS at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. For 2015MY the LS received only small updates, including a new multimedia system with enhanced Navigation features. Details after the jump.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Lexus LS

2014 - 2015 Lexus LS

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 - 2015 Lexus LS
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 386
  • Torque: 367
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The current styling of the Lexus LS, which we first saw on the 2013 model, comes back in spades on the 2014 model. That's a good thing because the bold style of the LS comes with all the features we loved when we first saw Lexus' revised spindle grille.

Everything is laid out nicely, contributing a sense of balance that makes the LS look like a true luxury car.

2014 Lexus LS - Exterior Specifications

Trim

LS 460

LS 460 L

Wheelbase

116.9 in.

121.7 in.

Overall Length

200 in.

205 in.

Overall Width

73.8 in.

73.8 in.

Overall Height (unloaded; with coil suspension)

58.1 in.

58.1 in.

Overall Height (RWD with optional air suspension)

57.7 in.

57.7 in.

Overall Height (AWD with standard coil suspension)

58.3 in.

58.3 in.

Overall Height (F SPORT)

57.3 in.

57.3 in.

Tread Width (RWD: Front/Rear)

18-inc wheels: 63.6 inc./63.8 in.

18-in. wheels: 63.6 in./63.8 in.

Tread Width (RWD with 19-inch wheels (Front/Rear)

19-in. wheels: 63.4 in./63.6 in.

19-in. wheels: 63.4/63.6 in.

Ground Clearance (RWD and AWD with standard Coil Suspension)

5.1 in.

5.1 in.


2014 Lexus LS - Standard Exterior Features

-18-inch split five-spoke wheels with hollow spoke noise reduction technology and high gloss finish

-Aggressive inverted trapezoid-shaped upper and bottom-wide lower grille to produce a new “spindle grille”

-Arrowhead-shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps

-Integrated LED fog lamps

-Heated electrochromic outside rearview mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, LED puddle lamps (mounted on the underside of mirror housing), and power folding function

-Rain-sensing wipers

-Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) integrated headlamps (low beam) 


-High-strength steel alloy and ultra-high strength sheet metal used in body structure

-Narrow and precise body panel gaps

-Thinsulate insulation for more effective sound absorption 


-Power door closers

-Trunk lid opens without key fob being within range when vehicle is unlocked

New for 2015:

- Dome lamps use LED bulbs

- F SPORT badge added to rear of F SPORT

Interior

Just like the exterior, the interior of the LS comes with minor color and trim revisions. The craftsmanship that made the LS' cabin such a treat to the senses returns in the 2014 model, complete with some new digs that should give customers a real good interest in the luxury sedan.

Heated and ventilated front seats, with 16-way power adjustment for the driver and 12-way for the passenger, come standard in the 2014 model. There's also an all-LED interior lighting system that illuminates the cabin in a subtle yet effective manner, improving the ambiance of the LS to fit its style and class.

The available Lexus Climate Concierge is also a huge addition to the 2014 LS, with the four-zone system allowing the occupants to set temperature preferences for the main climate control system, the climate control seats and the heated steering wheel.

2014 Lexus LS - Interior Specifications

Trim

LS 460

LS 460 L

Trim

5 / n/a

5 / 4

Seating Capacity / (with Executive Class Seat Package)

38.0 in.

38.0 in.

Headroom Front (with moonroof - standard)

38.0 in.

38.0 in.

Rear (with moonroof - standard)

43.7 in.

43.7 in.

Legroom Front

35.8 in.

36.7 in.

Legroom Rear

58.5 in.

58.5 in.

Shoulder Room Front

56.9 in.

56.4 in.

Shoulder Room Rear

55.4 in.

55.4 in.

Hip Room Front

55.5 in.

55.5 in.

Hip Room Rear

40.7 in.

45.5 in.

Couple Distance

18.0 cu. ft.

18.0 cu. ft.


EPA Cargo Volume

-Grain-matched wood trim with genuine aluminum accents for center console, dash and door panels

-Headliner for Black/Saddle Tan changed to Parchment (replaces Light Gray)

-Interior leather/wood trim colors: Parchment, Light Gray, Flaxen, Black, Black with Saddle Tan Accent and unique F SPORT Black with White Perforations

-Matte Bamboo trim available with Parchment or Black interior with semi-aniline leather trim

-Three-spoke wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel

-16-way power driver’s seat with auto slide-away and 12-way power front passenger seat

-Electrochromic inside mirror

-Electroluminescent (Optitron) gauges

-HomeLink programmable garage door opener

-SmartAccess with push-button start/stop

-TFT (Thin Film Transistor) color multi-information display indicates: driving range of remaining fuel in tank, average fuel consumption, average fuel consumption since refueling, current fuel consumption, average speed since vehicle started, outside temperature, elapsed time, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control settings (if equipped) and maintenance/diagnostic messages. 


-Dual-zone front climate control with smog sensor and automatic recirculation control

-Lexus HDD Navigation with backup monitor; Bluetooth® hands free phone and automatic phonebook download capabilities; Lexus Enform® with SafetyConnect®: Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Destination Assist, and eDestination (complimentary one-year trial subscription); Lexus InsiderTM; Voice command casual-language voice recognition system; NavTraffic, NavWeather, Sports, Stocks, and Fuel 
Prices (one-year trial All Access subscription included), subscription-free Enform App Suite, Intuitive Park Assist

-Power tilt-and-slide moonroof with one-touch closure

-Rear back-up camera

-Transitional LED ambient lighting (under I/P wood trim)

New for 2015:

- New multimedia system with enhanced Navigation features

- Lexus Enform App Suite adds Slacker and upgrades to iHeartRadio 4.0

- Lexus Enform Remote

- Dynamic gridlines added to backup camera

Drivetrain

The 2014 LS line only makes use of one powertrain: a 4.6-liter, V-8 engine that produces 386 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque. As far as performance numbers are concerned, the rear-wheel-drive LS can hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds compared to 5.9 seconds for the all-wheel-drive models. Likewise, the quarter-mile time takes 14 seconds for the RWD models and 14.3 seconds for the AWD models.

Top speed is similar for both models at an electronically limited 130 mph while fuel efficiency ratings for the LS 460 allows it to consume 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg in the highway.

2014 Lexus LS - Engine Specifications

Type, Materials

V-8, aluminum block and heads

Displacement

4.6 liter

Bore x Stroke

3.70 in. x 3.27 in. (94.0 mm x 83.0 mm)

Horsepower @ RPM

386 @ 6,400 (AWD: 360 @ 6,400)

Torque (LB.-FT. @ RPM)

367 @ 4,100 (AWD: 347 @ 4,100)

Maximum Engine Speed (redline)

6,600 rpm

Emission Certification (manufacturer’s estimate)

ULEV II


Pricing

The Lexus LS 460 and 460 L have been priced in four different numbers. The cheapest of the lot is the LS 460 RWD at $72,140 with the LS 460 AWD priced at $75,085. The bigger LS 460L has a retail of $78,440 in RWD configuration and $81,295 in AWD configuration.

Trim

Trim

Price

$72,140

LS 460 RWD

$75,085

LS 460 AWD

$78,440

LS 460L RWD

$81,925


Competition

2014 Mercedes S-Class

One of the most popular luxury cars on the market is the Mercedes S-Class, and the 2014 doesn't lack in its share of class, prestige and luxury features. Mercedes decided to add the S-Class in its list of all-new models, resulting the automaker's resident luxury car to boast the same design language we have seen in all the recently launched Mercedes models.

In addition, Mercedes gave the new S-Class a 4.7-liter, V-8 engine that produces 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, good enough to hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.

2014 Audi A8

Now, if you're really in the market for a luxury sedan that checks off a lot of your requirements, the 2014 A8 is the perfect choice, or at least as far as we're concerned. It looks great; it has an elegant stance; and it offers the same level of luxury as that of Lexus LS' lineup.

The A8 is also offered with a 4.2-liter, V-8 engine that delivers 372 horsepower and 328 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm, a little under what the LS has but still notable enough to give the German automaker a real serious model that contends with the market.

Conclusion

We loved the Lexus LS last year and there's nothing about the 2014 model that's going to dissuade us from changing our opinion. We hoped that Lexus added variety in the engine, but the one that's available is impressive enough that we're not going to hold it against the Japanese automaker.

Maybe next year, right Lexus?