Car Review: Lexus LS 460 F Sport

The LS 460 F Sport sedan offers what I would call a ridiculously good blend of engineering, comfort and push-you-back-in-your-seat performance.

While I am guessing in most cases consumers will consign it to the daily commute, this car longs for the open road or even the track.

My 2015 tester drew lot of attention and head-turns out on streets and highways but it was seldom if ever challenged out there.

The LS 460 comes with a choice of driving styles -- including a comfortable, middle of the road range that you'll like while on the commute most of the time.

But when you have the time and the space to stretch the car's limits a bit, flick over to "sport" mode, stomp on the accelerator and watch the crazy powerful V-8 that's under the hood come alive.

My tester was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that produces 360 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque. The engine is attached to a nice 8-speed automatic transmission that is neither too wimpy nor too stiff for every day driving. Together they work well enough together to accommodate you getting the kids to school safely each day or when you just need to get to work on time (wink, wink.)

Inside the cabin you're swaddled in leather seats that aren't parlor couches. The seats aren't racing seats but they are supportive -- especially when throwing yourself into a tight turn. The leather wrapped steering telescopes back and forth for comfort and the digital control panels are easy to get to know and understand.

Elegant wood paneling touches can be found throughout the cabin which also offers a nice GPS-corrected analog (yes, I said analog) clock sits dead center -- perhaps trying to reinforce the idea that not all things have to be "digital" to be great.

Lexus naturally stocks in a great dual-zone air conditioning system and a beautiful, easy to operate navigation-media screen.

That nav-media screen also controls a 19-speaker sound system mates nicely with the satellite radio programming.

The screen also flicks instantly into handy blind spot mode while in reverse. A cross-traffic monitor will also help you from running into anything as you pull out of the stall at Starbucks.

And, yes, my tester came loaded with all sorts of fun bells and whistles -- some of which you might even find handy, or, at least amusing.

Outside, sitting on special 19-inch hollow chamber steel alloys, the front of the LS is sleek, aggressive and all business.

The F Sport comes with seriously clampy anti-lock racing brakes designed to help get yourself out of trouble when needed.

I love the fact that Lexus has done one other basic thing that really warms the cockles of this reviewers heart. The manufacturer has seen fit to include a full-sized spare tire in what is a cavernous trunk.

On the road, this luxury sedan smooths out the imperfections and is extremely quiet.

While heavier than many sedans out there, the LS is a tiger when it comes to passing. You won't be disappointed with its acceleration.

For a large luxury sedan the Lexus wasn't terrible in terms of gas mileage: My tester got 16/24 mpg city/highway and 19 mpg combined.

As always check out other competitors -- especially the Germans -- but trust me, you're going to like the Lexus LS 460 F Sport.

Like all things in this world, it is a case of getting what you pay for -- and this kind of performance, comfort and fit and finish isn't inexpensive. My review car came in at $85,525.

The recommendation: While the blazing Lexus "Ultra White" isn't my particular cup of tea in terms of colors, this is one fun monster of a sports sedan. Buy it!

Jeff Mitchell, who channels F-1 Champion Emerson Fittipaldi in his mind, writes for Gannett Newspapers, Inc. and is based in Monterey County, Calif. Reach him at jemitchell@thecalifornian.com