Is the GS 460 fast?
Yes. For a late-2000s luxury sedan, the GS 460 offers strong, smooth acceleration and confident highway power, though it isn’t a modern sports car.
The GS 460 is Lexus’s V8-powered variant of the GS lineup from that era. It emphasizes refined, energetic power, a comfortable ride, and usable speed rather than track-ready aggression. The following sections break down the key numbers, the driving feel, and how it compares with its peers.
Performance at a glance
Key figures that quantify how fast the GS 460 is, including power output, torque, transmission, and acceleration benchmarks.
- Engine: 4.6-liter V8 producing around 342 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic with smooth, near-seamless shifts
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive is standard in most markets; all-wheel drive availability was limited and not universal
- 0-60 mph: typically about 5.7 to 6.0 seconds depending on year and configuration
- Top speed: electronically limited to roughly 149 mph (240 km/h) in most markets
In everyday driving, these figures translate to confident, refined acceleration—more than enough for highway merging and quick overtakes, with the engine delivering steady pull through midrange. The emphasis is on smooth, quiet power rather than raw sprint speed.
How it stacks up against peers
Because the GS 460 aims at luxury comfort with ample power, its pace sits in the middle of the field when compared with performance-focused rivals from the same era.
Here is how the GS 460 typically compares to common contemporaries in terms of acceleration and overall speed:
- Compared with sport-oriented V8 rivals like the BMW 550i, Audi S6, and Mercedes E550, the GS 460 is usually slower to 60 mph, reflecting its priority on refinement and ride quality over sheer sprint capability
- The GS 460 offers a notably quieter cabin and smoother power delivery, which many buyers equate with real-world speed rather than track-ready performance
- Handling and steering feel emphasize stability and composure rather than razor-sharp agility, aligning with its luxury-car mission
Bottom line: if you’re chasing corner-crushing speed or lap times, the GS 460 isn’t the first choice among its peers. If you value a serene, comfortable, and capable long-distance cruiser with solid acceleration, it remains a compelling option.
Summary
The GS 460 provides strong, refined performance for a luxury sedan from its generation. It accelerates comfortably and feels solid at highway speeds, but it’s not a sport-focused machine. For buyers prioritizing ride quality, quiet power, and everyday usability, the GS 460 offers adequate speed with Lexus-level reliability. Those chasing outright speed would look toward more performance-oriented rivals or newer platforms.
