Is the LS 460 front or rear-wheel drive?
The LS 460 is primarily rear-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive version available in some markets and model years.
Drivetrain basics
Understanding the LS 460's drivetrain helps explain its handling and performance. The base configuration is rear-wheel drive, tuned for a smooth, luxury-centric drive. An all-wheel-drive variant was offered to buyers seeking extra traction in poor weather or challenging road conditions.
Key points about the drivetrain configuration include:
- Base layout: front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard on most LS460 models.
- All-wheel drive option: Lexus offered LS460 AWD on select model years and markets, providing power to all four corners when needed.
- Transmission: paired with an automatic transmission designed to work with either RWD or AWD layouts.
- Variants and generations: the AWD option appeared during the LS460 generation (roughly late 2000s to mid-2010s) and was more common in regions with harsher weather.
In practice, most buyers encountered the LS460 as RWD, with AWD as an optional upgrade for better traction.
Market-by-market availability
Availability of the LS460 AWD varied by market and model year. In North America and other regions, the AWD version was offered as a factory option, typically on higher-trim models, while in some markets it was less common or available by special order.
How to identify your LS 460's drivetrain
If you want to confirm whether a specific LS 460 is RWD or AWD, check the vehicle’s badging, VIN, or window sticker. AWD models usually bear an AWD badge, and the VIN/owner’s manual will indicate the drive type.
Historical context
When Lexus redesigned the flagship in 2006 as the LS 460, the standard configuration was rear-wheel drive to preserve traditional luxury-sedan dynamics. The AWD option gave buyers in regions with inclement weather additional grip without sacrificing the sedan’s refined ride.
Summary
The LS 460 is built as a rear-wheel-drive vehicle by default, with an all-wheel-drive option available for certain markets and model years. This combination aligns with Lexus’s goal of delivering luxury, performance, and practicality in its flagship sedan.
Is the Lexus LS 460 front wheel drive?
Lexus' flagship LS 460 full-size sedan is available in standard form and as a limousinelike long-wheelbase LS 460 L model that stretches 205 inches from bumper to bumper — 5 inches more than the standard model. The LS can seat up to five people, and both sizes are available with rear- or all-wheel drive.
What is the average lifespan of a LS 460?
Diagram: Lexus Longevity by Model Type
| Lexus Model | Estimated Longevity |
|---|---|
| LS 430 / LS 460 | 300,000+ miles |
| GX 460 | 300,000+ miles |
| LX 570 | 300,000+ miles |
| ES 350 | 250,000–300,000 miles |
What is the LS 460 AWD system?
The AWD versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L will utilize a drivetrain almost identical to their hybrid counterpart, the LS 600h L. The AWD system features a highly compact center TORSEN Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) that distributes drive torque between the front and rear wheels.
Is the Lexus LS FWD or RWD?
Rear-wheel drive
The 2025 Lexus LS is available with two powertrains. The entry-level LS 500 packs a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine (416 horsepower, 442 lb-ft of torque) paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available.
