TTAC Compares the Lexus LS 600hL & Mercedes S400 Hybrid

How can anyone even consider the S-class interior as good? Its very terribly thought out and executed =.. The LS interior has a very logical and fluid design, the interior of the Lexus feels as if it is hugging you in rich soft leather.. Where as the interior of S-class is swarthy and flat and feels cold, all german interiors are behind the Japanese..  

How can anyone even consider the S-class interior as good? Its very terribly thought out and executed =.. The LS interior has a very logical and fluid design, the interior of the Lexus feels as if it is hugging you in rich soft leather.. Where as the interior of S-class is swarthy and flat and feels cold, all german interiors are behind the Japanese..  

How can anyone even consider the S-class interior as good? Its very terribly thought out and executed =.. The LS interior has a very logical and fluid design, the interior of the Lexus feels as if it is hugging you in rich soft leather.. Where as the interior of S-class is swarthy and flat and feels cold, all german interiors are behind the Japanese..  

The exterior of the LS looks so much nicer then the S-class, look at the first photo in the comparison.. 

 The S-class exterior looks much cheaper and less refined than the stately LS. 

The LSh certainly looks much more refined! KREW: I just learned that you could already have a rather extensive leather upholstery with the LS 430! See how there is a line of stitching running from the right door, across the glovebox, around the center console and even the portion below the center armrest, and to the other side of the car! http://www.netcarshow.com/lexus/2004-ls430/1600x1200/wallpaper_0e.htm http://www.netcarshow.com/lexus/2004-ls430/800x600/wallpaper_0d.htm http://www.netcarshow.com/lexus/2004-ls430/800x600/wallpaper_0f.htm It's annoying that, from generation to generation, Lexus cars would often lose in the acres of leather and wood. Interestingly, the designers managed to get away with it because the newer models usually looked a lot better inside.

I've seen an S500 parked next to a Lexus LS600H/460 and the Lexus LS has a much stronger presence, it looks unique with its very highly precise body panels and the entire car looks distinctive.. S-class looks very generic.. 

 I´ve always found German cars to have something rather cold and aloof about them,whilst Japanese cars always feel warm and welcoming. I guess you could say a Mercedes is like a butler,where as a Lexus is like a really good friend.

I have always been disappointed in the current S-class exterior (I liked the last one much more)  Haven't been in the 600h, but having driven the LS460 and S500, the LS interior materials were a step down to the S-class, but the car was quieter overall, but didn't have the torque of the Benz motor. I think the LS is the best looking car in this class, and it's not really close!  But I think the new BMW 7 Hybrid (2011) will be best in this class. Which will be fixed when the new LS arrives next year BD

Lasse, I lovr you for this comment: Mercedes is like a butler, Lexus is like a good friend. You bring it to the point! Thanks for your great job!

Havin driven both an LS460 & S500, they're different cars, almost catering for different market demographia.. As soon as you open the doors, I felt that the LS460 had heavier doors then the S-class, but the S500 did have doors that felt you could say a bit more solid then the LS460, the LS460 door handle is generations better then the S-class handles.. Once your inside the LS460 again is much better, it gives you a feeling of being surrounded in rich, very well thought out Luxury, every inch of the interior has been thought of when making it, and has been impeccably engineered.. Unfortunately the same could not be said for the S500, where you have a central dash that is very drab, uninspiring and cold, the seats were hard and the overal interior was not even close to the LS460, I'll wrap it up Lexus LS = PERFECT AND I MEAN PURE PERFECT INTERIORS, words cannot possibly describe the perfection.. DRIVING, yes yes you guys have probably heard that the LS is very quiet already but what amazed me was the way the car gains speed and loses speed, the transition was seamless, it's almost impossible to judge the speed of the LS460 when your driving.. the steering on the LS460 feels also very luxurious and light, when your driving it almost feels as if he car knows it's gonna turn, just feels like there is assistance.. S500, the ride is smooth enough, but its no where near LS460 turf, bumps are felt but dispensed, engine can defenatley be heard, tyre noise and you are generally not isolated enough.., the S500 may have a very smooth ride by most people's standards, but when comparing it to LS460 it simply doesn't.. The S-class felt a little more responsive only at accelerations as the S500 generally likes maintaining high revs, the LS460 tries to maintain as low revs as possible, so say when already driving at 60 mph, and you give it some power, the LS460 feels more responsive then S500 in those situations.. Brakes, S500 wins in my opinion, the brakes seemed as they were almost perfect balance of braking, they felt very natural.. LS460's brakes are sensitive, and i mean SENSITIVE, the slightest touch just a pin drop on the brake pedal and you'll see the speed drop, although you won't feel it or hear it.. Overall if your looking for a more fun and maybe a slightly more sporty or 'soul' then S-class If pure luxury, quality, refinement is what your looking for then the LS460 is the winner by far

What bout the BMW Active7 Hybrid? which also competes with these two.