MotorMouths

The LS can now hold its own against the competition, and that’s quite an accomplishment. It is as solid as a mountain, as quiet as a monastery, as comfortable as a cool summer breeze, and as dependable as a string of overused similes — and yet no longer does it feel completely anonymous.

From the brand’s inception, Lexus has captured a profitable portion of one-percenters who shun ostentation and appreciate quality, a mission spearheaded by the LS. Judging by its long list of luxury features and the lineup’s overall serene character, this latest flagship will maintain the status quo.

Lexus steps up its game with the new 2013 LS 460. The driving experience and interior trappings now stack up better to the best from Europe, while the Lexus brand pillars of bulletproof quality and relative value carry on.

For 2013, Lexus has made significant strides with its flagship LS. It boasts new tech, a newer look, and the same features that made us fall in love with the last generation. If ultimate comfort is what’s most important, it’s the only choice.

Buying a large luxury sedan isn’t a rational decision at heart. No one needs a Lexus LS like they need a Toyota Camry. You just want a lavish sedan because you want it, and the new LS F Sport delivers the most compelling package that Lexus has had in a long time.

You won’t get the rush from the F Sport that you’d get with an AMG or M. Then again, you’ll have a perfectly good time in the LS 460 F Sport and, given the common sense needed to drive quickly on public roads, you’ll likely have just as much fun and might be as quick.

The 2013 Lexus LS is exactly what it needs to be: a smooth riding, quiet, executive saloon packed to the brim with technology, safety features, and high levels of luxury. The only significant downside to this car is its handling, which is not as sporty as Lexus would have you think.

The LS continues to represent the very best the Lexus brand has to offer. It’s now packed with more technology, craftsmanship and luxury, while offering improved driving comfort and enjoyment, not to mention a look that the fashion conscious will flock to.

Overall, I came away from the drive impressed with the level of comfort and composure the LS presented. With this generation of Lexus, the automaker has managed to inject the LS with quite a bit of style and technology, which adds quite a bit to this model’s desirability.

It’s an LS. It’s cushy. It’s luxurious. The new interior is excellent. The driving experience could best be described as “generic platonic luxury ideal.” Other than the exterior, the LS is fundamentally restrained in every respect.

In the end, it’s clear Lexus didn’t set out to redefine the luxury sedan with the 2013 LS. Still, a large number of small improvements help keep the LS relevant in a market that Lexus itself says is slowly melting.

While the 2013 Lexus LS is a worthy flagship in every respect, and a true demonstration of how fine Japanese craftsmanship can be, on-the-whole it remains quite reserved. It provides a more modern design and improved driving dynamics to the LS faithful.