Driving the All-New 2018 Lexus LS 500


Lexus Enthusiast editor Kevin Watts traveled to San Francisco, California, last week to test drive the all-new 2018 Lexus LS 500 & LS 500h hybrid. This is his personal impressions of the car, a full technical overview was posted last week.

I want to start off with a story. If you’ve been following Lexus Enthusiast for any time, it’s a story you’ve probably heard before, but it plays a big part into how I feel about the new fifth-generation LS flagship.

Rewind the clock back to 1998. I’m living in Toronto, Ontario, and I start seeing this blacked-out sedan cruising around my neighborhood. I’ve always been into luxury cars, but life has many paths and it’s been a while since something grabbed my attention.

I finally figure out the brand and badge, and it’s a new one to me: The Lexus LS 400. Up until this point, the only Lexus I know is the LX, which was a key vehicle for anyone listening to The Notorious BIG in those days.

Anyways, that LS 400 represents a turning point in my life. When I finally saved enough money to buy my first car eight years later, I did something completely insane and bought a 1994 LS 400. Shortly after, I started this website, where I have been writing about Lexus vehicles nearly every day for a full decade.

This is all to say that I am not impartial about the new Lexus LS. There are things that I like and things that I don’t, but this is my all-time favorite car. Consider this a disclaimer for what follows.


With ten years since the introduction of the last LS sedan, it feels unfair to compare old to new. Put side-by-side, the fifth-generation is sharper in every way — the design, the driving experience, even the point and purpose. Gone is the balanced approach of the LS 460, of trying to be all things to all people. The new LS is a car unafraid to make its opinions loud and clear.

Straight away, its presence is undeniable. The LS 500 is massive and sculpted, with the heft and detail of a fine watch. A intricate interpretation of the spindle grille makes up most of the car face, filled with a mesh designed by a single person over the course of six months:

Lexus LS Front

The outward points of spindle grille carry through the curves of the body, dipping down to create a similar pattern in the rear — this is my favorite design detail, and is best illustrated with this short video:

Another exterior highlight is the katana blade trim that starts at the front wheels and continues through to the rear bumper:

Lexus LS Side

If I have one complaint, it’s the tail lights and the way they slope toward the license plate — it gives the rear a pinched look that makes the trunk bulge:

Lexus LS Rear


When it comes to performance, let’s get one thing out of the way right quick — I have a hard time understanding people’s obsession with V8 engines, or the lack thereof. The new twin-turbo 416-horsepower V6 in the LS 500 is an absolute monster, and represents a quantum leap over any existing Lexus engine.

On paper, it matches up against the competition’s V8 offerings in straight line performance. Behind the wheel, the only way you could decipher the number of cylinders would be looking in the owner’s manual. There’s no discernible turbo lag and torque is near instantaneous, bringing with it an endless wave of power. With this much available acceleration, the horsepower number almost seems irrelevant.

In my opinion, this is a great engine. Case closed.

Lexus LS Engine

On the flip side, the driving experience can vary significantly. The combinations are endless, with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive and air suspensions and rear-steering — there wasn’t enough time in the day to try the LS in all its many iterations.

What I can say is this:

  • The LS 500 AWD is a rocket, firmly planted. It was the first car I drove, with the most variety in experience. Composed and isolating in rush hour traffic, strong and confident on the highway and in the curves. Exactly what you want in a full-size luxury sedan.
  • The LS 500 F SPORT, I don’t know, it was just crazy. Rear-wheel drive feels like such a luxury with my Canadian AWD sensibilities, and the effort of being a responsible adult weighed heavy in my time behind the wheel. In SPORT+ mode, the car compressed around me, and I had to fight to keep my speed down while powering through corners. A caged animal, just waiting to get into trouble.
  • After driving with the new twin-turbo V6 all day, the last vehicle of the day was an LS 500h equipped with the Executive package. The powertrain that works so well in the LC 500h didn’t have the same punch in the LS, and the multi-speed transmission felt a little jumpy. I believe it will take someone deeply invested in buying a hybrid to choose this over an LS 500.

Lexus LS Driving

Much has been made of the new safety systems, and for good reason. You are likely familiar with Lane Keep Assist and dynamic cruise control — these features are now standard across the Lexus lineup, and they’re very effective at reducing the mental burden of drivers.

The Lexus Safety System +A in the new LS is at a completely different level, like a protective bubble that surrounds the car. It never shows itself unless necessary, and in downtown San Francisco, those sensors and radars are very necessary. I avoided curbs, dodged cyclists, had the full experience of augmented braking while making a left turn. The LS felt like a partner, though just like any relationship, there’s a learning curve.

(In particular, I was a fan of the Lane Trace Assist, which locks you into your lane and keeps you there. This technology is a big leap forward.)


During his presentation, LS Chief Designer Koichi Suga showed a photo of this giant armchair, citing it as the inspiration for the seating:

Lexus LS Interior Seating

This was a central concept for the cabin, with arm rests that circle every seat comfortably:

Lexus LS Interior Concept

Let me just say, it works. The seats in the LS are wild — 28-way power adjustable, massage options in the front and back. Honestly, the pneumatic pressure massage in the driver’s seat touched me in ways I would never allow a human to replicate.

Material design is another strong point, with every surface luxurious and soft to the touch. The Kiriko glass and pleated fabric interior is textbook Lexus with its handmade story and attention to detail, but every interior combination had just the right amount of texture.

Lexus LS Interior

Where the LS cabin falls short is the Remote Touch controller and the Lexus infotainment system. This is the one area where Lexus should have embraced significant change, perhaps by adopting Apple Carplay or Android Auto. Instead, there is now an obvious black mark on an otherwise stellar interior. It’s not bad, but it’s not great. Honestly, the rest of the car deserves better.

Lexus LS Interior


When I heard the starting price of around $75,000 USD for the new LS, I was shocked. Like mouth gaping open, stunned with disbelief. For some context, this undercuts the outgoing long-wheelbase LS 460L by nearly $4,000 despite having more standard equipment and features. The equivalent BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-Class can cost upwards to $25,000 more in the USA.

But the luxury market can get weird at times, and I’ve seen people arguing that this “value” pricing means Lexus has abandoned the top-tier flagship market.

I see it a different way — when the original LS 400 was introduced in 1989, it was positioned as a S-Class competitor but was priced like an E-Class. This was wildly successful, and the LS 400 kickstarted a transformation of what consumers expect from a luxury car.

Will this strategy work in 2018? It’s a tough call, but I don’t see how you could fault Lexus for trying something different.


My biggest takeaway from driving the new LS 500 & LS 500h? Lexus is done trying to match up inch-by-inch with its competitors.

Think of all the ways Lexus has gone against the grain with their new flagship — a V6 instead of a V8, a price well below expectations, a design that you either love or hate, assisted-driving instead of self-driving technology.

Having strong opinions is never safe, but Lexus has embraced their outsider status and are unafraid to stand apart from the crowd. The new 2018 LS is a singular experience, and I don’t believe Lexus would have it any other way.

Lexus LS: Fourth Generation
Comments
krew
As an update on my personal impressions of the new LS, I'll be holding off publishing until Tuesday.
Since when did LE have their own embargo? :D
krew
As an update on my personal impressions of the new LS, I'll be holding off publishing until Tuesday.
Since when did LE have their own embargo? :D
Ian Schmidt
People who hate Remote Touch should be sentenced to using the floating joy-mouse thing that preceded it (and which I still deal with daily). The trackpad's a million times better than that.
I'm used to the mouse thingy, I don't mind. My dad's newer ES has the same mouse thingy as the RX we have, so no huge learning curve to deal with.
Ian Schmidt
People who hate Remote Touch should be sentenced to using the floating joy-mouse thing that preceded it (and which I still deal with daily). The trackpad's a million times better than that.
I'm used to the mouse thingy, I don't mind. My dad's newer ES has the same mouse thingy as the RX we have, so no huge learning curve to deal with.
So far good talks and lot of appreciation but not that game changer as the 89 LS
So far good talks and lot of appreciation but not that game changer as the 89 LS
  • Joe
    Joe
  • September 30, 2017
Ian Schmidt
People who hate Remote Touch should be sentenced to using the floating joy-mouse thing that preceded it (and which I still deal with daily). The trackpad's a million times better than that.
In my opinion, it is a bit more complicated.
I wonder, quite honestly.. why did the designers decide to move from the mouse remote touch to the touchpad? Is it to be more modern, like swapping the trackball designer computer mouse for a touchpad on your laptop?
The weird thing is: the mouse system was heavily criticized by car media, but now they've put an even more criticizable system in it. So commercially perhaps not the best decision. It surely is more modern to look at and it does work more or less like the mousepad of your portable PC if you're not actually driving the car. But as soon as you're in first gear, just try to put in a destination address for the first time... even as a passenger. Not easy. It could even be dangerous for the driver if he's not used to the system. So if you use it for the first time as a driver, perhaps it sucks.
But I suppose that not many of these will end up in a short term rental for people who never drive a Lexus...

The other side of the story then...: this is one hell of a nice peace of engineered work! The surface of the touchpad is seriously nice to touch, the haptic feedback (which - by the way - can be adapted to everyone's taste) is very well done, the idea of having the manipulation of the system horizontally and the visual experience right where it belongs is perfect...
(And I always read some bizarre comments concerning so called dated graphics on the screen... it's merely just a question of taste).
If you've learned how to use it, it's really not bad at all. On the contrary, I like it, a lot.

But let's be honest, it can still be improved.
As a Lexus insider, I am used to 3 systems,: the rotary/push dial button, the mouse RTI and the touchpad and I can assure you: they all work very well, but it's like with every Lexus model I've known so far: it has to grow on you :cool:

Unfortunately, most car journalists don't drive the car long enough to appreciate it to the full. So to make a positive comment on the system, they need a car where every command button is like a mainstream Mercedes' or BMW's system.
And, in the case of the new LS, they really have to look very closely to find a negative point to write about.

If the one single negative aspect in their opinion is the touchpad, then I am a happy man ;)
  • Joe
    Joe
  • September 30, 2017
Ian Schmidt
People who hate Remote Touch should be sentenced to using the floating joy-mouse thing that preceded it (and which I still deal with daily). The trackpad's a million times better than that.
In my opinion, it is a bit more complicated.
I wonder, quite honestly.. why did the designers decide to move from the mouse remote touch to the touchpad? Is it to be more modern, like swapping the trackball designer computer mouse for a touchpad on your laptop?
The weird thing is: the mouse system was heavily criticized by car media, but now they've put an even more criticizable system in it. So commercially perhaps not the best decision. It surely is more modern to look at and it does work more or less like the mousepad of your portable PC if you're not actually driving the car. But as soon as you're in first gear, just try to put in a destination address for the first time... even as a passenger. Not easy. It could even be dangerous for the driver if he's not used to the system. So if you use it for the first time as a driver, perhaps it sucks.
But I suppose that not many of these will end up in a short term rental for people who never drive a Lexus...

The other side of the story then...: this is one hell of a nice peace of engineered work! The surface of the touchpad is seriously nice to touch, the haptic feedback (which - by the way - can be adapted to everyone's taste) is very well done, the idea of having the manipulation of the system horizontally and the visual experience right where it belongs is perfect...
(And I always read some bizarre comments concerning so called dated graphics on the screen... it's merely just a question of taste).
If you've learned how to use it, it's really not bad at all. On the contrary, I like it, a lot.

But let's be honest, it can still be improved.
As a Lexus insider, I am used to 3 systems,: the rotary/push dial button, the mouse RTI and the touchpad and I can assure you: they all work very well, but it's like with every Lexus model I've known so far: it has to grow on you :cool:

Unfortunately, most car journalists don't drive the car long enough to appreciate it to the full. So to make a positive comment on the system, they need a car where every command button is like a mainstream Mercedes' or BMW's system.
And, in the case of the new LS, they really have to look very closely to find a negative point to write about.

If the one single negative aspect in their opinion is the touchpad, then I am a happy man ;)
krew
How about this -- a full review of the LS from lifestyle outlet Gear Patrol and not a single mention of Remote Touch:

https://gearpatrol.com/2017/09/28/review-lexus-ls-ls500-500h-luxury-car/

I'm not defending the tech, but I feel like automotive mags are using Remote Touch as a crutch, as a way to criticize Lexus.
I agree with your Remote Touch comment. It was clear to me that they hadn’t taken the time to learn or understand it. Instead of showing all the whiz bang things, they should show ways to do things simply that used to be performed by knobs/buttons. Seat heating & cooling stands out.
krew
How about this -- a full review of the LS from lifestyle outlet Gear Patrol and not a single mention of Remote Touch:

https://gearpatrol.com/2017/09/28/review-lexus-ls-ls500-500h-luxury-car/

I'm not defending the tech, but I feel like automotive mags are using Remote Touch as a crutch, as a way to criticize Lexus.
I agree with your Remote Touch comment. It was clear to me that they hadn’t taken the time to learn or understand it. Instead of showing all the whiz bang things, they should show ways to do things simply that used to be performed by knobs/buttons. Seat heating & cooling stands out.
John Strange
I agree with your Remote Touch comment. It was clear to me that they hadn’t taken the time to learn or understand it. Instead of showing all the whiz bang things, they should show ways to do things simply that used to be performed by knobs/buttons. Seat heating & cooling stands out.
Its case of damned if you do, damned if you dont... idrive was criticized for first 4-5 years until everyone got used to it. Lexus touch screen was "from/similar/like Toyota" at those times.

Or... "too many buttons" in RX, where you have button backup for everything... they like it clean! But if you dont have 50 buttons then it is too hard to use?!

I would assume that heated/cooled seats get activated automatically in LS by climate concierge, so all you have to do manually is set desired temp.
John Strange
I agree with your Remote Touch comment. It was clear to me that they hadn’t taken the time to learn or understand it. Instead of showing all the whiz bang things, they should show ways to do things simply that used to be performed by knobs/buttons. Seat heating & cooling stands out.
Its case of damned if you do, damned if you dont... idrive was criticized for first 4-5 years until everyone got used to it. Lexus touch screen was "from/similar/like Toyota" at those times.

Or... "too many buttons" in RX, where you have button backup for everything... they like it clean! But if you dont have 50 buttons then it is too hard to use?!

I would assume that heated/cooled seats get activated automatically in LS by climate concierge, so all you have to do manually is set desired temp.
  • Joe
    Joe
  • October 1, 2017
spwolf
I would assume that heated/cooled seats get activated automatically in LS by climate concierge, so all you have to do manually is set desired temp.
Ideed! Climate concierge is the trick. Perfect system :thumbsup: Even the simplified version in RX and GS is working well.
  • Joe
    Joe
  • October 1, 2017
spwolf
I would assume that heated/cooled seats get activated automatically in LS by climate concierge, so all you have to do manually is set desired temp.
Ideed! Climate concierge is the trick. Perfect system :thumbsup: Even the simplified version in RX and GS is working well.
My ignorance is showing. Our beautiful ‘06 GS obviously doesn’t have the Climate Concierge so after reading up on that feature I’m sold. Since it’s been around for a number of years I guess the reviewers didn’t see the need to bring it up. As mentioned in previous posts, some of the reviewers just needed something to bash.
My ignorance is showing. Our beautiful ‘06 GS obviously doesn’t have the Climate Concierge so after reading up on that feature I’m sold. Since it’s been around for a number of years I guess the reviewers didn’t see the need to bring it up. As mentioned in previous posts, some of the reviewers just needed something to bash.
Tragic Bronson
Since when did LE have their own embargo? :D
HEY! I just want to make sure I do the car justice. :laughing:
Tragic Bronson
Since when did LE have their own embargo? :D
HEY! I just want to make sure I do the car justice. :laughing:
Remote Touch does have issues in regards to being quick and intuitive. I never have fallen in love with it even though I have clearly figured it out and use it daily. I'm also not a fan of Audi's new MMI which has gotten more complicated to me and something I couldn't really figure out in the R8 compared to the S8 where it was amazing to use. The Q7 has a trackpad too (like the RC F). I do think BMW's iDrive today is very well done as is Mercedes Command.

I also just can't understand why the graphics are so, just old, compared to the Germans. You jump into a Lexus from a new German car and the NAV and graphics seem like ten steps back. They really need to focus on making it more modern.
Remote Touch does have issues in regards to being quick and intuitive. I never have fallen in love with it even though I have clearly figured it out and use it daily. I'm also not a fan of Audi's new MMI which has gotten more complicated to me and something I couldn't really figure out in the R8 compared to the S8 where it was amazing to use. The Q7 has a trackpad too (like the RC F). I do think BMW's iDrive today is very well done as is Mercedes Command.

I also just can't understand why the graphics are so, just old, compared to the Germans. You jump into a Lexus from a new German car and the NAV and graphics seem like ten steps back. They really need to focus on making it more modern.
^ like comparing the aesthetics of Windows 95 with Windows 10 lol...
or iOS 6 with iOS 11
^ like comparing the aesthetics of Windows 95 with Windows 10 lol...
or iOS 6 with iOS 11
Google Maps' default view has been the same since 2005, and that's pretty much the gold standard for usable mapping. I'd prefer my ability to find places not be subject to graphic-design trends.
Google Maps' default view has been the same since 2005, and that's pretty much the gold standard for usable mapping. I'd prefer my ability to find places not be subject to graphic-design trends.
Ian Schmidt
Google Maps' default view has been the same since 2005, and that's pretty much the gold standard for usable mapping. I'd prefer my ability to find places not be subject to graphic-design trends.
yeah, basic view is the most usable one - like google maps is almost unusable with sat view, but for instance Waze also from google, is very usable.

However they should still offer nice graphics regardless of that.
Ian Schmidt
Google Maps' default view has been the same since 2005, and that's pretty much the gold standard for usable mapping. I'd prefer my ability to find places not be subject to graphic-design trends.
yeah, basic view is the most usable one - like google maps is almost unusable with sat view, but for instance Waze also from google, is very usable.

However they should still offer nice graphics regardless of that.
krew [​IMG]

Personal impressions on the new Lexus flagship.
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krew [​IMG]

Personal impressions on the new Lexus flagship.
View the original article post

K