CAR Magazine Review: The 2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

I am wondering why there is such a wide gap between Japanese launch and that of U.S. launch? October 2017 and February 2018. For the previous generation, it was launched on September 19, 2006 in Japan and October 20, 2006. Last gen Toyota Celsior was in September 2000 and 2001 LS 430 in October 2000.

I'm a little confused, as I understand domestic markets are easier to deliver new assembled units to the dealers. But a 4-month gap seems not typical of Lexus patterns.

What I love about the U.S. marketplace for automobiles, is that, sales launch only counts when a customer can walk into a dealer and go home with their own paid-for example.

Europe and Asia's system of calling "sales launch", when someone can only order their new car, yet wait 6 months (because production hasn't even started yet), annoys me in being a little misleading. I don't consider a car on sale, until I can walk into a dealer, pay for it and go home with it that same day. Ordering doesn't really count for much.

I mentioned the above paragraph, as I don't think the new LS is really available to buy in showrooms in Japan. While in Tokyo, I didn't get to visit a Lexus showroom as I hoped, since I had to rush to Dallas last weekend for my sister's wedding. At this point, I am just convinced only the car can be ordered and production of parts is only getting underway. I am not sure Job #1 has taken place yet.

What did Toyoda allegedly delay this car for, as it was supposed to originally "launch" in Japan in the summer and then U.S. in the fall?

I am wondering why there is such a wide gap between Japanese launch and that of U.S. launch? October 2017 and February 2018. For the previous generation, it was launched on September 19, 2006 in Japan and October 20, 2006. Last gen Toyota Celsior was in September 2000 and 2001 LS 430 in October 2000.

I'm a little confused, as I understand domestic markets are easier to deliver new assembled units to the dealers. But a 4-month gap seems not typical of Lexus patterns.

What I love about the U.S. marketplace for automobiles, is that, sales launch only counts when a customer can walk into a dealer and go home with their own paid-for example.

Europe and Asia's system of calling "sales launch", when someone can only order their new car, yet wait 6 months (because production hasn't even started yet), annoys me in being a little misleading. I don't consider a car on sale, until I can walk into a dealer, pay for it and go home with it that same day. Ordering doesn't really count for much.

I mentioned the above paragraph, as I don't think the new LS is really available to buy in showrooms in Japan. While in Tokyo, I didn't get to visit a Lexus showroom as I hoped, since I had to rush to Dallas last weekend for my sister's wedding. At this point, I am just convinced only the car can be ordered and production of parts is only getting underway. I am not sure Job #1 has taken place yet.

What did Toyoda allegedly delay this car for, as it was supposed to originally "launch" in Japan in the summer and then U.S. in the fall?

Ian Schmidt

Regarding noise and whatnot, Winding Road posted a beautiful 14 minute drive in an LS with no talking or other audio, just the sound of the car itself. The NVH does make itself known in Sport S+ mode, but in the regular mode it's as quiet as a Lexus. And holy cow, listen to the TTV6 rev and tell me you aren't in love.

After what lexus did with LC and LS am really looking forward to the redesign of all their cars. The exhaust note of the LC is just amazing so you can imagine what all future F cars are going to sound like (somewhere in the middle of an LC and LFA?). Also with the TTV6 in the LS given such note it should only get better in the sport focused cars RC/IS/GS. Now if lexus can just atleast drop a hint for the next GS.

Ian Schmidt

Regarding noise and whatnot, Winding Road posted a beautiful 14 minute drive in an LS with no talking or other audio, just the sound of the car itself. The NVH does make itself known in Sport S+ mode, but in the regular mode it's as quiet as a Lexus. And holy cow, listen to the TTV6 rev and tell me you aren't in love.

After what lexus did with LC and LS am really looking forward to the redesign of all their cars. The exhaust note of the LC is just amazing so you can imagine what all future F cars are going to sound like (somewhere in the middle of an LC and LFA?). Also with the TTV6 in the LS given such note it should only get better in the sport focused cars RC/IS/GS. Now if lexus can just atleast drop a hint for the next GS.

Ian Schmidt

Regarding noise and whatnot, Winding Road posted a beautiful 14 minute drive in an LS with no talking or other audio, just the sound of the car itself. The NVH does make itself known in Sport S+ mode, but in the regular mode it's as quiet as a Lexus. And holy cow, listen to the TTV6 rev and tell me you aren't in love.

After what lexus did with LC and LS am really looking forward to the redesign of all their cars. The exhaust note of the LC is just amazing so you can imagine what all future F cars are going to sound like (somewhere in the middle of an LC and LFA?). Also with the TTV6 in the LS given such note it should only get better in the sport focused cars RC/IS/GS. Now if lexus can just atleast drop a hint for the next GS.

They could have start below $100K CAD....
Seems lexus.ca is a spam site????
Oh...and only the Executive trim gets adaptive headlamps (note: auto high beam & auto-leveling is standard)???Hope this is just an omission as none of the trims have the Mark Levinson pkg.

They could have start below $100K CAD....
Seems lexus.ca is a spam site????
Oh...and only the Executive trim gets adaptive headlamps (note: auto high beam & auto-leveling is standard)???Hope this is just an omission as none of the trims have the Mark Levinson pkg.

They could have start below $100K CAD....
Seems lexus.ca is a spam site????
Oh...and only the Executive trim gets adaptive headlamps (note: auto high beam & auto-leveling is standard)???Hope this is just an omission as none of the trims have the Mark Levinson pkg.

Gecko

I feel like so much of this semi-autonomous tech is exactly what he says, "It works, but I'm not sure how worthwhile or useful it is."

Really cool to see it in motion though.

i guess useful part is the safety, which is all automated (auto brake) :). This new system can also brake faster than previous systems, and also it works much better for keeping in lane and keeping the distance.

Toyota announced month ago that according to their findings, first generation systems from 2 years ago dropped accident rate in Japan by around 50%... and this system has almost 2x stopping power compared to cheapest one used in most Toyotas, and it has backup safety that those did not have, so it likely approaches 60-70% now... going up more will likely happen when both cars in the "accident" have the system, which means 2x stopping power.

Rather cool... and i guess lane change is something you can show to your friends once.

Gecko

I feel like so much of this semi-autonomous tech is exactly what he says, "It works, but I'm not sure how worthwhile or useful it is."

Really cool to see it in motion though.

i guess useful part is the safety, which is all automated (auto brake) :). This new system can also brake faster than previous systems, and also it works much better for keeping in lane and keeping the distance.

Toyota announced month ago that according to their findings, first generation systems from 2 years ago dropped accident rate in Japan by around 50%... and this system has almost 2x stopping power compared to cheapest one used in most Toyotas, and it has backup safety that those did not have, so it likely approaches 60-70% now... going up more will likely happen when both cars in the "accident" have the system, which means 2x stopping power.

Rather cool... and i guess lane change is something you can show to your friends once.

Gecko

I feel like so much of this semi-autonomous tech is exactly what he says, "It works, but I'm not sure how worthwhile or useful it is."

Really cool to see it in motion though.

i guess useful part is the safety, which is all automated (auto brake) :). This new system can also brake faster than previous systems, and also it works much better for keeping in lane and keeping the distance.

Toyota announced month ago that according to their findings, first generation systems from 2 years ago dropped accident rate in Japan by around 50%... and this system has almost 2x stopping power compared to cheapest one used in most Toyotas, and it has backup safety that those did not have, so it likely approaches 60-70% now... going up more will likely happen when both cars in the "accident" have the system, which means 2x stopping power.

Rather cool... and i guess lane change is something you can show to your friends once.

spwolf

Rather cool... and i guess lane change is something you can show to your friends once.

Only if you live in Japan, I believe. Won't be available in other markets at launch.

Ian Schmidt

Regarding noise and whatnot, Winding Road posted a beautiful 14 minute drive in an LS with no talking or other audio, just the sound of the car itself. The NVH does make itself known in Sport S+ mode, but in the regular mode it's as quiet as a Lexus. And holy cow, listen to the TTV6 rev and tell me you aren't in love.

Man, what a great video idea. Fantastic.

spwolf

Rather cool... and i guess lane change is something you can show to your friends once.

Only if you live in Japan, I believe. Won't be available in other markets at launch.

Ian Schmidt

Regarding noise and whatnot, Winding Road posted a beautiful 14 minute drive in an LS with no talking or other audio, just the sound of the car itself. The NVH does make itself known in Sport S+ mode, but in the regular mode it's as quiet as a Lexus. And holy cow, listen to the TTV6 rev and tell me you aren't in love.

Man, what a great video idea. Fantastic.

spwolf

Rather cool... and i guess lane change is something you can show to your friends once.

Only if you live in Japan, I believe. Won't be available in other markets at launch.

Ian Schmidt

Regarding noise and whatnot, Winding Road posted a beautiful 14 minute drive in an LS with no talking or other audio, just the sound of the car itself. The NVH does make itself known in Sport S+ mode, but in the regular mode it's as quiet as a Lexus. And holy cow, listen to the TTV6 rev and tell me you aren't in love.

Man, what a great video idea. Fantastic.

krew

Only if you live in Japan, I believe. Won't be available in other markets at launch.



Man, what a great video idea. Fantastic.

Europe too, just not usa

krew

Only if you live in Japan, I believe. Won't be available in other markets at launch.



Man, what a great video idea. Fantastic.

Europe too, just not usa

krew

Only if you live in Japan, I believe. Won't be available in other markets at launch.



Man, what a great video idea. Fantastic.

Europe too, just not usa

spwolf

Europe too, just not usa

Oh, cool! Thanks for the tip. Hard to keep all the markets straight, conversation at the launch was this would be a Japan-only feature.

spwolf

Europe too, just not usa

Oh, cool! Thanks for the tip. Hard to keep all the markets straight, conversation at the launch was this would be a Japan-only feature.

spwolf

Europe too, just not usa

Oh, cool! Thanks for the tip. Hard to keep all the markets straight, conversation at the launch was this would be a Japan-only feature.

krew

What's it really like to drive the new Lexus flagship?

View the original article post

krew

What's it really like to drive the new Lexus flagship?

View the original article post

krew

What's it really like to drive the new Lexus flagship?

View the original article post

I've never wanted a VR headset more!

I've never wanted a VR headset more!

I've never wanted a VR headset more!

Black Dynamite

1. That Maganese Luster looks like the best paint color. It takes a lot of the sporty edge off, and lets the design show through well.

2. This car has gained a lot of weight! Look up the current cars LWB weight and it is in the range of 300 lbs lighter. The current LS is one of the lightest cars in the segment. That said, it normally runs 6.0 0-60 when tested. How this cuts 25% off that with 300+ extra pounds is hard to believe. I guess we'll know the truth in future tests.

3. I like this, but I don't love it. It looks more like a stretched GS than a proper, conservative LS. I wanted the LF-FC Concept to reach production. It looked far more expensive and had a visual grandeur this lacks. It was the better design, clearly. This is sporty and youthful, relative to the German prestige class fare. It will get noticed, but will it jove with the 60+ demographic still buying such cars?

It is also interesting that Lexus avoids directly competing with the S-Class in power, or price. After 30 years, it comes across as fear, a lack of confidence. I expect more, at this point. If they had the concept's design, Lexus could go head-to-head with any S-Class and win. That was my dream, anyway. Oh well....

They will sell their 1000 units a month, then introduce the LSF model, with a TT 600HP V8 for $110k, and this generation will be generally a success story. It just will never be on the level of the Mercedes S-Class. It will never be the flagship of flagships. It will be a great "budget buy", a "smart money" option. My question is: When is Lexus going to be more than that? If not now, when?

Look at it this way. The S450, the V6-powered S-Class, costs $90 to start. It has 362 HP, a 9 speed transmission, is a half second slower and far less standard equipment. Why is Lexus charging $15k less for a car that, apples-to-apples, is a superior car, with more speed, power, and amenities? It comes across as afraid to compete, directly. That's my problem. I say grow a pair, and be that prestige brand, on par with the S-Class, not less than, but a better buy for the same $90k money? Unless you don't think you're worth it, or the market respects you enough.

I think they sell themselves short. After almost 30 years, why relegate yourself to second-tier in this class? No one else is doing it. Lexus is doing this to themselves.

I just question the vision of this model from the execs. They seem very happy to aim low with their greatest vehicle, and go after the lowest hanging fruit of the prestige class, and not let the LS be all that it can be. The LS was dreaming of looking like that LF-FC Concept car, and someone at Lexus said "Get back to scrubbing those prestige class floors, Cinderella!"

My problem is not with the car, which seems like a really great car where they sweated the details as only Lexus can, but the positioning and market strategy. And not employing the concept's superior design.

They hit a solid single up the middle when they needed to swing for fences, and have this new model propel the brand to new heights. And that is truly a shame.
BD

So about that 6 second zero-to-60 time from Caranddriver, that was an AWD model, which is usually quite a bit slower than its RWD counterparts. If they had tested the RWD version, expect that they would've gotten times closer to 5.4.

Black Dynamite

1. That Maganese Luster looks like the best paint color. It takes a lot of the sporty edge off, and lets the design show through well.

2. This car has gained a lot of weight! Look up the current cars LWB weight and it is in the range of 300 lbs lighter. The current LS is one of the lightest cars in the segment. That said, it normally runs 6.0 0-60 when tested. How this cuts 25% off that with 300+ extra pounds is hard to believe. I guess we'll know the truth in future tests.

3. I like this, but I don't love it. It looks more like a stretched GS than a proper, conservative LS. I wanted the LF-FC Concept to reach production. It looked far more expensive and had a visual grandeur this lacks. It was the better design, clearly. This is sporty and youthful, relative to the German prestige class fare. It will get noticed, but will it jove with the 60+ demographic still buying such cars?

It is also interesting that Lexus avoids directly competing with the S-Class in power, or price. After 30 years, it comes across as fear, a lack of confidence. I expect more, at this point. If they had the concept's design, Lexus could go head-to-head with any S-Class and win. That was my dream, anyway. Oh well....

They will sell their 1000 units a month, then introduce the LSF model, with a TT 600HP V8 for $110k, and this generation will be generally a success story. It just will never be on the level of the Mercedes S-Class. It will never be the flagship of flagships. It will be a great "budget buy", a "smart money" option. My question is: When is Lexus going to be more than that? If not now, when?

Look at it this way. The S450, the V6-powered S-Class, costs $90 to start. It has 362 HP, a 9 speed transmission, is a half second slower and far less standard equipment. Why is Lexus charging $15k less for a car that, apples-to-apples, is a superior car, with more speed, power, and amenities? It comes across as afraid to compete, directly. That's my problem. I say grow a pair, and be that prestige brand, on par with the S-Class, not less than, but a better buy for the same $90k money? Unless you don't think you're worth it, or the market respects you enough.

I think they sell themselves short. After almost 30 years, why relegate yourself to second-tier in this class? No one else is doing it. Lexus is doing this to themselves.

I just question the vision of this model from the execs. They seem very happy to aim low with their greatest vehicle, and go after the lowest hanging fruit of the prestige class, and not let the LS be all that it can be. The LS was dreaming of looking like that LF-FC Concept car, and someone at Lexus said "Get back to scrubbing those prestige class floors, Cinderella!"

My problem is not with the car, which seems like a really great car where they sweated the details as only Lexus can, but the positioning and market strategy. And not employing the concept's superior design.

They hit a solid single up the middle when they needed to swing for fences, and have this new model propel the brand to new heights. And that is truly a shame.
BD

So about that 6 second zero-to-60 time from Caranddriver, that was an AWD model, which is usually quite a bit slower than its RWD counterparts. If they had tested the RWD version, expect that they would've gotten times closer to 5.4.

Black Dynamite

1. That Maganese Luster looks like the best paint color. It takes a lot of the sporty edge off, and lets the design show through well.

2. This car has gained a lot of weight! Look up the current cars LWB weight and it is in the range of 300 lbs lighter. The current LS is one of the lightest cars in the segment. That said, it normally runs 6.0 0-60 when tested. How this cuts 25% off that with 300+ extra pounds is hard to believe. I guess we'll know the truth in future tests.

3. I like this, but I don't love it. It looks more like a stretched GS than a proper, conservative LS. I wanted the LF-FC Concept to reach production. It looked far more expensive and had a visual grandeur this lacks. It was the better design, clearly. This is sporty and youthful, relative to the German prestige class fare. It will get noticed, but will it jove with the 60+ demographic still buying such cars?

It is also interesting that Lexus avoids directly competing with the S-Class in power, or price. After 30 years, it comes across as fear, a lack of confidence. I expect more, at this point. If they had the concept's design, Lexus could go head-to-head with any S-Class and win. That was my dream, anyway. Oh well....

They will sell their 1000 units a month, then introduce the LSF model, with a TT 600HP V8 for $110k, and this generation will be generally a success story. It just will never be on the level of the Mercedes S-Class. It will never be the flagship of flagships. It will be a great "budget buy", a "smart money" option. My question is: When is Lexus going to be more than that? If not now, when?

Look at it this way. The S450, the V6-powered S-Class, costs $90 to start. It has 362 HP, a 9 speed transmission, is a half second slower and far less standard equipment. Why is Lexus charging $15k less for a car that, apples-to-apples, is a superior car, with more speed, power, and amenities? It comes across as afraid to compete, directly. That's my problem. I say grow a pair, and be that prestige brand, on par with the S-Class, not less than, but a better buy for the same $90k money? Unless you don't think you're worth it, or the market respects you enough.

I think they sell themselves short. After almost 30 years, why relegate yourself to second-tier in this class? No one else is doing it. Lexus is doing this to themselves.

I just question the vision of this model from the execs. They seem very happy to aim low with their greatest vehicle, and go after the lowest hanging fruit of the prestige class, and not let the LS be all that it can be. The LS was dreaming of looking like that LF-FC Concept car, and someone at Lexus said "Get back to scrubbing those prestige class floors, Cinderella!"

My problem is not with the car, which seems like a really great car where they sweated the details as only Lexus can, but the positioning and market strategy. And not employing the concept's superior design.

They hit a solid single up the middle when they needed to swing for fences, and have this new model propel the brand to new heights. And that is truly a shame.
BD

So about that 6 second zero-to-60 time from Caranddriver, that was an AWD model, which is usually quite a bit slower than its RWD counterparts. If they had tested the RWD version, expect that they would've gotten times closer to 5.4.

Notice how soft the door closes!