2009 Lexus LS: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2009 Lexus LS is the expansion of all-wheel drive to the gas-powered LS 460 and LS 460 L. Otherwise, this is a light-update year rather than a redesign.
About the 2009 Lexus LS
4th gen (XF40, 2007-2012), pre-refresh year; third model year before the 2010 exterior and tech update.
Lexus positions the LS as its flagship luxury sedan built around quiet comfort, careful craftsmanship, and smooth, effortless performance rather than aggressive styling. The 2009 LS brochure leans heavily on hand-finished detail, cabin isolation, and long-distance comfort. In this market, the LS is the understated alternative to European rivals: a large premium sedan known for a calm ride, high build quality, intuitive controls, and a strong reputation for durability.
The LS 460 is the core luxury sedan, with a quiet leather cabin, a 4.6-liter V8, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The longer LS 460 L adds more rear-seat room and features such as navigation, a backup camera, and ventilated front seats, while the LS 600h L serves as the technology flagship with a 438-horsepower V8 hybrid system, standard all-wheel drive, and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.
What changed, by category
2009 Lexus LS specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, 4.6 Liter | V8, 4.6 Liter | V8, Hybrid, 5.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Hybrid |
| MPG City | 16 mpg | 16 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Horsepower | 380 hp | 380 hp | |
| Torque | 367 lb-ft | 367 lb-ft | 385 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 18 cu-ft | 18 cu-ft | 11.7 cu-ft |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||
| Automatic Headlights | |||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||
| Park Assist | |||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Power Moonroof | |||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||
| Bluetooth | |||
| Built-In Hard Drive | |||
| Front DVD Entertainment System | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||
| Cooled Seats | |||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||
| Executive Rear Seating | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Rear Window Shades | |||
| Refrigerator/Cooler | |||
| Remote Start | |||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2009 Lexus LS?
The biggest change is that all-wheel drive expands to the gas-powered LS 460 and LS 460 L. Most of the rest of the lineup carries over without a major redesign.
Was the 2009 Lexus LS redesigned?
No. The 2009 Lexus LS remains part of the fourth generation and is a pre-refresh model; the broader exterior and technology update arrives for 2010.
Is the 2009 Lexus LS 600h L different from the gas LS models?
Yes. The 2009 LS 600h L uses a 5.0-liter V8 hybrid system with two electric motors, 438 total system horsepower, and standard all-wheel drive. It is also the most richly equipped and technology-focused version of the lineup.
What is the difference between the 2009 LS 460 and LS 460 L?
The LS 460 L has a longer body with more rear-seat legroom and a stronger focus on rear-passenger comfort. It also has features such as navigation, a backup camera, ventilated front seats, a power rear sunshade, and power door closers.
Is the 2009 Lexus LS worth considering over the 2008 model?
The 2009 model mainly makes sense over the 2008 if all-wheel drive on a gas-powered LS matters to you. Otherwise, it is a modest update, with the larger styling and technology refresh still a year away.