How many gears does a LS400 have?
The LS400 uses a four-speed automatic transmission. This luxury sedan, produced from 1989 through 2000, is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 and relies on a traditional four-gear automatic rather than a newer five-speed setup.
Transmission basics
The LS400’s transmission is designed for smooth, quiet operation and highway efficiency. It employs an automatic transmission with a torque converter and four forward speeds, a common configuration for the model’s era.
Here are the key facts about the LS400's gears and transmission:
- Gears: 4 forward speeds
- Transmission type: automatic with torque converter
- Overdrive: 4th gear functions as the overdrive for efficient cruising
- Model years with this setup: 1989–2000 (first-generation LS400)
In summary, the LS400 is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, a characteristic of its generation. Later Lexus LS models adopted more gears.
Context and comparison
For perspective, the subsequent LS430 (introduced in 2000) switched to a five-speed automatic transmission, aligning with industry trends toward additional gears for performance and efficiency. This transition marks the main generational difference in transmission gear counts within the LS line.
Summary
The LS400 features a four-speed automatic transmission across its production run, paired with a 4.0-liter V8 engine (1UZ-FE). This setup emphasizes smoothness and highway comfort, distinguishing it from later generations that moved to more gears.
