2013 Lexus LS 460 F SPORT: First Drive Impressions from Palo Alto
Last month, Lexus extended an invitation to Palo Alto, California, granting me the opportunity to experience the new 2013 LS range across its various forms. This article recounts my time behind the wheel of the updated model. For a more comprehensive overview of the 2013 LS, please refer to previous coverage.
Before arriving in Palo Alto and driving the 2013 Lexus LS, I already had a distinct perspective for my review. The location of the LS preview event in Palo Alto, nestled within the heart of Silicon Valley and mere minutes from Apple headquarters in Cupertino, presented an interesting parallel. Apple’s contemporary strategy for the iPhone mirrors Lexus’s approach with the 2013 LS – instead of pursuing radical changes, both companies have focused on refining their flagship products, introducing visible exterior updates while prioritizing the enhancement of the overall user experience. The crucial question then becomes: did Lexus push the 2013 LS far enough? To find the answer, I test-drove five different variants, including the Lexus Ls 460 F Sport.
Driving the Refined 2013 Lexus LS Range
LS 460 F SPORT AWD
Obsidian black 2013 Lexus LS 460 F SPORT AWD exterior shot.
My initial choice was the all-wheel drive Lexus Ls 460 F Sport in Obsidian black. Its aggressive stance, with black and chrome elements reflecting the surroundings, immediately stood out. For the 2013 model year, Lexus took the underlying structure of the 2007-2012 LS and refined it, carving deep, muscular lines into the bodywork.
Front view of aggressive 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT in black.
Side profile of the 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT exterior design.
Three-quarter view of the 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT in black.
Rear view of the 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT in Obsidian.
Another three-quarter angle of the black 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT.
Front angle of the 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT exterior.
Detailed side shot of the 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT body lines.
Low angle view highlighting the stance of the black 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT.
From the outset, the LS F SPORT delivered a driving feel distinct from previous LS generations. Regardless of the Drive Mode Select setting, the steering felt notably sharper and more direct than the outgoing model. The upgraded 14.8-inch Brembo brakes on the front wheels were surprisingly sensitive. Across the board, the LS exhibited an unexpected nimbleness, making it feel smaller than its actual size. Learning that the LS F SPORT was equipped with an intake sound generator initially raised concerns – deliberately adding noise seemed counter to the LS’s typical character, even for a performance variant. Fortunately, this worry proved unfounded. Unlike the eager sound of the 2013 GS, hard acceleration in the new LS is accompanied by a distant, deep thunder, which feels entirely appropriate for the sport edition of a flagship sedan, a category often associated with high end car brands logos.
LS 460
2013 Lexus LS 460 in Liquid Platinum color.
Switching from the LS F SPORT to a standard LS 460 in Liquid Platinum highlighted the difference drivetrain could make. Transitioning from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive resulted in a noticeable change – even at low speeds, the RWD LS 460 felt lighter and more relaxed compared to the AWD LS F SPORT. This suburban drive near Stanford University showcased the traditional strengths of the LS. Road imperfections were barely perceptible, and external noise was reduced to a mere whisper. These characteristics are paramount when evaluating the LS, and in this regard, it did not disappoint.
Close-up of the 19-inch hollow chamber wheel on the 2013 Lexus LS 460.
One other observation: the 19-inch hollow chamber wheels on this model looked fantastic.
LS 600hL
Lexus LS 600hL in Fire Agate color near the beach.
After lunch, it was time for the LS 600hL in Fire Agate. Without exaggeration, this color was absolutely stunning.
Striking Fire Agate color on the 2013 Lexus LS 600hL.
Side profile of the 2013 LS 600hL in Fire Agate.
Front angle of the 2013 Lexus LS 600hL in a vibrant color.
Rear view of the 2013 LS 600hL in unique Fire Agate.
Setting off for the longest drive of the day, I selected Comfort mode and settled in. The new LS interior represents a substantial improvement over the preceding model. The elegant wood grain, the expansive 12.3-inch navigation display and Remote Touch controller, the finely crafted all-aluminum dials and controls, the flowing dashboard design, and the new steering wheel collectively create the sense of occasion expected in a flagship sedan, often found among the names of very expensive cars.
Luxurious interior of the 2013 Lexus LS hybrid.
Close-up of the steering wheel and gauges in the 2013 Lexus LS.
Remote Touch controller and central console in the 2013 Lexus LS.
Side view of the passenger cabin highlighting interior materials in the 2013 LS.
View of the expansive dashboard and display in the 2013 Lexus LS.
Detailed view of the dashboard and infotainment screen in the 2013 LS.
Central console and wood trim in the 2013 Lexus LS interior.
Close-up of the analog clock and climate controls in the 2013 LS.
Driver's perspective of the 2013 Lexus LS interior layout.
Detail of the air vents and upper dashboard in the 2013 Lexus LS.
View of the front passenger seat and dashboard in the 2013 LS.
Overall view of the luxurious interior of the 2013 Lexus LS 600hL.
My afternoon journey involved following other journalists driving a lexus ls 460 f sport, which created an entertaining dynamic once we reached State Route 84 with its numerous twists and turns. Dialing the LS hybrid’s Drive Mode Select to SPORT+ mode, I endeavored to keep pace with the LS F SPORT ahead, its driver navigating the corners with such enthusiasm that I could catch the scent of tire rubber. More than anything else, this segment of the drive underscored the significant improvements made to the LS’s handling. Attempting to drive the previous generation LS hybrid in a similar fashion would have been unthinkable. This demonstrates why Lexus is counted among the top ten most expensive car brands.
LS 460 F SPORT
Ultra White 2013 Lexus LS 460 F SPORT exterior.
My final drive of the day was in a rear-wheel-drive Ultra White Lexus LS 460 F SPORT. The intense driving of the afternoon had taken its toll, and I had little inclination to test its limits further. This proved fortunate, as the majority of this drive was spent in rush hour traffic.
Instead, I focused on the interior of the LS F SPORT, noting the distinctions compared to the standard model. For example, wood trim is absent; instead, the trim features aluminum with a subtle L pattern.
Close-up of the aluminum interior trim with L pattern in the Lexus LS F SPORT.
If there is a single critique of the LS F SPORT interior, it’s the limited color palette – exclusively available in black leather, the cabin perhaps too closely mirrors the aggressive exterior aesthetic.
All-black leather interior of the 2013 Lexus LS F SPORT.
Dashboard and driver's view in the Lexus LS F SPORT cabin.
View of the infotainment display and central console in the LS F SPORT.
Close-up view of the instrument panel and steering wheel in the LS F SPORT.
LS 600h F SPORT (Non-North America)
The most notable surprise occurred the following day with the opportunity to drive the LS 600h F SPORT, a model not designated for the North American market. With no set agenda or deadline, I decided to prioritize photography, beginning with a tour of Coyote Hills Park.
2013 Lexus LS 600h F SPORT in a park setting.
Front angle of the LS 600h F SPORT exterior at Coyote Hills Park.
Side profile of the hybrid LS F SPORT in a natural setting.
Rear view of the 2013 LS 600h F SPORT exterior.
Three-quarter rear view of the hybrid LS F SPORT outdoors.
Detail of the wheel and side badging on the LS 600h F SPORT.
Front grille and badging of the 2013 Lexus LS 600h F SPORT.
Exterior detail shot of the hybrid LS F SPORT.
Following the park visit, a quick stop was made in a new housing development for additional photos.
Lexus LS 600h F SPORT in a residential area.
Side view of the 2013 LS F SPORT hybrid in a neighborhood setting.
Front view of the 2013 LS F SPORT hybrid in a residential background.
Three-quarter angle of the hybrid LS F SPORT in a new housing area.
Overall, there was little significant difference between the LS hybrid F SPORT and the all-wheel-drive lexus ls 460 f sport driven the previous day, with one exception. Even in SPORT+ mode, the gradual, linear response characteristic of the hybrid’s CVT didn’t entirely align with my expectations for a Sport model. This is somewhat mitigated by the paddle shifts and simulated gear changes, but it would have been beneficial to see this reflected more distinctly in the Drive Mode Select settings.
In conclusion, the exterior, interior, and the driving dynamics of the LS have all undergone significant refinement, resulting in a thoroughly modern and substantial redesign. While it’s possible to argue that the update doesn’t go far enough, that similarities outweigh differences, or that a new engine and platform were needed, placing the old and new models side-by-side clearly demonstrates that the 2013 LS is superior in virtually every aspect. The parallel between the 2013 LS and the Apple iPhone holds true. Comparing the new iPhone introduced recently to the one it replaced makes the answer clear – sometimes, evolution is indeed the most effective strategy for improvement. Special thanks to Lexus for the invitation to this event in Palo Alto.
