2009 Lexus GS 460

If you’re looking for a midsize luxury sedan, chances are you want a mix of sporty and lavish, relaxed and aggressive. Lexus finds that balance with its 2009 GS 460. Take, for example, the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that lets the driver choose between firm spring and shock settings for performance driving and softer settings for a smooth, luxury ride. Whatever mood you’re in, the GS 460 can accommodate it.

This rear-wheel-drive four-door is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that produces 342 horses when paired with the eight-speed, sequential-shift automatic transmission. The entire drivetrain is based on that in the maker’s premium LS. The car’s Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and Electronic intake valve timing (VVT-iE) allows it go from 0-60 in 5.4 seconds and also helps with fuel economy – it's rated at 17/24 mpg.

Like many of its competitors, and the BMW 550i in particular, the GS 460 is a technological specimen. The Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System provides better handling with input from the braking and steering systems and use of Lexus’s Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control. Variable Gear-Ratio Steering adjusts the sensitivity of the steering wheel depending on speed. Brake Assist helps drivers with sudden stops, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution further increases control during braking. And don’t forget the AVS and VVT-iE.

All this technology eases the strain of long trips for driver and passengers. The back seats offer plenty of room for two adults, with three possible, if a little cozy. The front seats are heated and ventilated and offer 10-way power adjustment. The comfort extends to Lexus’s usual high level of cabin accoutrements: dual-zone climate control, an air filter with smog sensor, Bluetooth connectivity, power everything including a moonroof, a dashboard trimmed with bird’s eye maple, and an optional Mark Levinson audio and navigation system. And there’s room for everyone’s luggage in the car's 12.7 cubic feet of trunk space.

The GS 460’s exterior style has been changed slightly for 2009 with a flatter bumper for improved aerodynamics, chrome trim on the grille, turn signals on the side mirrors, and a new wheel design – five-spoke, 18-inch aluminum alloy. But overall the GS 460 retains its signature graceful yet strong lines.

Safety does not get neglected either. The front seats get dual-stage front, side seat-mounted, side curtain, and knee airbags, while the back seats have side curtain and side seat-mounted bags. And everyone in the car is surrounded by Lexus’s “Omni Directional Compatibility Body Structure,” which provides crumple zones to reduce the force of any impact.

By Tim O'Sullivan