CAR Magazine Review: The 2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

UK magazines 500h reviews

TOP GEAR

It’s a sensational looking thing on the move, a strikingly contemporary piece of sculpture with elements that verge on the abstract. The cabin is similarly audacious, and we’re totally down with the Japanese cultural immersion. But while down-sizing and hybridisation is the new order, this is a car whose best work would almost certainly be done in hock with a different engine altogether. There’s much to admire here, but as a package it’s currently out of synch.

AUTO EXRESS

In isolation, the LS 500h marks a significant step forward for Lexus’s flagship. It’s oozing with technology and driver assistance features, there are some stunning intricate design touches, and on the strength of this drive, the cabin feels even more beautifully screwed together than ever. But while the petrol-electric system might seem like the perfect powertrain for current trends, in reality its drive is still badly compromised in too many situations for us to recommend it over mainstream diesel alternatives. People after a left-field option will find plenty to like in the LS, just because of its different approach. But in this case, we struggle to get beyond the fact that their cash would buy a wider range of abilities with the latest S-Class or A8.

WHAT CAR ?

The new LS is certainly a big step forward from the old car. Its distinctive looks, high-quality interior and high level of standard equipment all appeal, but it’s still off the pace in terms of refinement, ride and handling. Unless you really have to stand out, we’d stick with one of the more obvious German rivals, particularly the Audi A8. Even if you take into account the benefits of the hybrid powertrain, it's worth remembering that the BMW 7 Series iPerformance emits just 49g/km of CO2 if you stick with rear-wheel drive. The BMW also has the advantage of being able to run on electric power alone for well over 20 miles if you recharge it from the mains.

AUTOCAR

But when it comes to cars that must transport a number of people over long distances, style is almost always a poor substitute for substance, and this is where the likeable but far too flawed LS500h comes substantially unstuck. The packaging is not good enough for such an enormous car, it is too heavy and too difficult to operate. But it is the engine that is its undoing: bluntly, it has no place in a car like this. Over a genial chat with its deputy chief engineer Shinji Kishida, I asked him why the hybrid system was not available with the twin-turbo V6 fitted to cars sold outside the UK. And he replied that the engine was new and there’d not been time to integrate the hybrid. When I asked him if that was work in progress, he grinned from ear to ear and simply said: "That’s a secret." Such an engine, far more refined in character and flooded with low-down torque as it would undoubtedly be, could genuinely transform this car. But I can report only as I find and, as it stands, the LS500h promises more than it delivers. Five generations on, I’d hoped for more..

UK magazines 500h reviews

TOP GEAR

It’s a sensational looking thing on the move, a strikingly contemporary piece of sculpture with elements that verge on the abstract. The cabin is similarly audacious, and we’re totally down with the Japanese cultural immersion. But while down-sizing and hybridisation is the new order, this is a car whose best work would almost certainly be done in hock with a different engine altogether. There’s much to admire here, but as a package it’s currently out of synch.

AUTO EXRESS

In isolation, the LS 500h marks a significant step forward for Lexus’s flagship. It’s oozing with technology and driver assistance features, there are some stunning intricate design touches, and on the strength of this drive, the cabin feels even more beautifully screwed together than ever. But while the petrol-electric system might seem like the perfect powertrain for current trends, in reality its drive is still badly compromised in too many situations for us to recommend it over mainstream diesel alternatives. People after a left-field option will find plenty to like in the LS, just because of its different approach. But in this case, we struggle to get beyond the fact that their cash would buy a wider range of abilities with the latest S-Class or A8.

WHAT CAR ?

The new LS is certainly a big step forward from the old car. Its distinctive looks, high-quality interior and high level of standard equipment all appeal, but it’s still off the pace in terms of refinement, ride and handling. Unless you really have to stand out, we’d stick with one of the more obvious German rivals, particularly the Audi A8. Even if you take into account the benefits of the hybrid powertrain, it's worth remembering that the BMW 7 Series iPerformance emits just 49g/km of CO2 if you stick with rear-wheel drive. The BMW also has the advantage of being able to run on electric power alone for well over 20 miles if you recharge it from the mains.

AUTOCAR

But when it comes to cars that must transport a number of people over long distances, style is almost always a poor substitute for substance, and this is where the likeable but far too flawed LS500h comes substantially unstuck. The packaging is not good enough for such an enormous car, it is too heavy and too difficult to operate. But it is the engine that is its undoing: bluntly, it has no place in a car like this. Over a genial chat with its deputy chief engineer Shinji Kishida, I asked him why the hybrid system was not available with the twin-turbo V6 fitted to cars sold outside the UK. And he replied that the engine was new and there’d not been time to integrate the hybrid. When I asked him if that was work in progress, he grinned from ear to ear and simply said: "That’s a secret." Such an engine, far more refined in character and flooded with low-down torque as it would undoubtedly be, could genuinely transform this car. But I can report only as I find and, as it stands, the LS500h promises more than it delivers. Five generations on, I’d hoped for more..

So is the UK only getting the 500h?

So is the UK only getting the 500h?

So is the UK only getting the 500h?

Yikes - those reviews are pretty tough. With so much of the world only getting the 500h, it seems like Lexus should have put more time, effort and thought into that powertrain.

It seemed to work so well in the LC 500h... what is different here? The weight? I think the 500h with executive package is around 5,000lbs, no?

Yikes - those reviews are pretty tough. With so much of the world only getting the 500h, it seems like Lexus should have put more time, effort and thought into that powertrain.

It seemed to work so well in the LC 500h... what is different here? The weight? I think the 500h with executive package is around 5,000lbs, no?

Yikes - those reviews are pretty tough. With so much of the world only getting the 500h, it seems like Lexus should have put more time, effort and thought into that powertrain.

It seemed to work so well in the LC 500h... what is different here? The weight? I think the 500h with executive package is around 5,000lbs, no?

I think calling it a 500h sets up unrealistic expectations. It should be 450 or 400h since it has 360hp or so.

That said the hybrid is more appealing to me since the V-8 is gone. I just don't think we get a 500h F-Sport here in the states :(

I think calling it a 500h sets up unrealistic expectations. It should be 450 or 400h since it has 360hp or so.

That said the hybrid is more appealing to me since the V-8 is gone. I just don't think we get a 500h F-Sport here in the states :(

I think calling it a 500h sets up unrealistic expectations. It should be 450 or 400h since it has 360hp or so.

That said the hybrid is more appealing to me since the V-8 is gone. I just don't think we get a 500h F-Sport here in the states :(

Motor Trend
“If you're looking for a $100,000 luxury sedan, should you choose the BMW 740e plug-in, Lexus LS 500, Lincoln Continental 3.0, or Genesis G90 3.3T?”
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/gene...continental-30/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Motor Trend
“If you're looking for a $100,000 luxury sedan, should you choose the BMW 740e plug-in, Lexus LS 500, Lincoln Continental 3.0, or Genesis G90 3.3T?”
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/gene...continental-30/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Motor Trend
“If you're looking for a $100,000 luxury sedan, should you choose the BMW 740e plug-in, Lexus LS 500, Lincoln Continental 3.0, or Genesis G90 3.3T?”
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/gene...continental-30/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

White Beach

Motor Trend
“If you're looking for a $100,000 luxury sedan, should you choose the BMW 740e plug-in, Lexus LS 500, Lincoln Continental 3.0, or Genesis G90 3.3T?”
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/gene...continental-30/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

So the LS, the most fun to drive, which usually is the merit that counts most, suddenly doesn't matter most. Maybe one of the worst conclusions I've ever read. They keep trying to make the G90 like some 1989 LS and it isn't. The 1989 LS was better and cheaper. The G90 is cheaper, not better.

I don't know one person with the G90 anywhere on their radar. Absurd.

White Beach

Motor Trend
“If you're looking for a $100,000 luxury sedan, should you choose the BMW 740e plug-in, Lexus LS 500, Lincoln Continental 3.0, or Genesis G90 3.3T?”
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/gene...continental-30/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

So the LS, the most fun to drive, which usually is the merit that counts most, suddenly doesn't matter most. Maybe one of the worst conclusions I've ever read. They keep trying to make the G90 like some 1989 LS and it isn't. The 1989 LS was better and cheaper. The G90 is cheaper, not better.

I don't know one person with the G90 anywhere on their radar. Absurd.

White Beach

Motor Trend
“If you're looking for a $100,000 luxury sedan, should you choose the BMW 740e plug-in, Lexus LS 500, Lincoln Continental 3.0, or Genesis G90 3.3T?”
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/gene...continental-30/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

So the LS, the most fun to drive, which usually is the merit that counts most, suddenly doesn't matter most. Maybe one of the worst conclusions I've ever read. They keep trying to make the G90 like some 1989 LS and it isn't. The 1989 LS was better and cheaper. The G90 is cheaper, not better.

I don't know one person with the G90 anywhere on their radar. Absurd.

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus LS 500 vs BMW 740e vs Lincoln Continental vs Genesis G90

Not the best showing for the new Lexus flagship.

View the original article post

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus LS 500 vs BMW 740e vs Lincoln Continental vs Genesis G90

Not the best showing for the new Lexus flagship.

View the original article post

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus LS 500 vs BMW 740e vs Lincoln Continental vs Genesis G90

Not the best showing for the new Lexus flagship.

View the original article post

krew

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus LS 500 vs BMW 740e vs Lincoln Continental vs Genesis G90


View the original article post

Honestly Lexus has to be quite a bit perturbed this is what they compare the LS with first. The Lincoln Continental STARTS AT $45,000!!!

krew

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus LS 500 vs BMW 740e vs Lincoln Continental vs Genesis G90


View the original article post

Honestly Lexus has to be quite a bit perturbed this is what they compare the LS with first. The Lincoln Continental STARTS AT $45,000!!!

krew

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus LS 500 vs BMW 740e vs Lincoln Continental vs Genesis G90


View the original article post

Honestly Lexus has to be quite a bit perturbed this is what they compare the LS with first. The Lincoln Continental STARTS AT $45,000!!!

There was some pretty good praise for the LS 500:

"Just like Republicans and Democrats have effectively swapped ideologies over the years, BMW and Lexus seemed to have changed M.O.s in the past five years or so. The Lexus LS used to be soft and cushy, but now it offers up damn near sports car levels of performance. Its new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and when combined with its new 10-speed auto, it hustles the LS to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.7 second at 103 mph. Not enough evidence for you? The LS 500 lapped our figure eight in a test-best 25.7 seconds at 0.73 g, and it aced the 60–0 braking test with a 113-foot stop."

"Driven back to back with the BMW, Genesis, and Lincoln, the Lexus feels an order of magnitude sportier than the rest of the pack. The new V-6 maintains the Lexus tradition of buttery-smooth revs, with plenty of low-end torque, and the automatic happily shunts through its 10 cogs in the background. However, if you ask for moderate or more acceleration from the LS 500, the V-6 struggles to move the 5,103-pound sedan, and the transmission’s shifts get harsh."

"The LS 500’s steering is much more new-gen and away from the numb appliances of yore. Sporty, direct, and with a stiffness that will be unfamiliar to the Lexus legions, the LS 500 is a good set of tires away from being a true canyon carver. Our test car’s air suspension sorted out big bumps but struggled with small, high-frequency bumps such as the Botts’ dots that line California lanes. “We’re on pretty new pavement here, and I’m still getting lots of small vibrations from all the little bumps in the road you can’t see from the driver’s seat,” Evans said."

"The Lexus’ cabin matches the Lincoln’s for its distinctiveness but outstrips it in elegance. The LS 500’s interior perhaps isn’t quite as revolutionary as its LC sister’s, but it’s a huge step forward for the sedan, with beautiful wood, bright metallic trim running horizontally across the cabin, and a cool backlit piece of artwork on the passenger dash like in the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. The LS’ doors are also particularly noteworthy, with an artful origami-inspired finish."

“The Lexus blows the others away in making the owner feel rich and successful,” Gale said."

I'm not sure that a fully decked out $103k LS 500 AWD with the executive package was really necessary, especially since it weighs in at a morbidly obese 5,100lbs. A RWD LS 500 with a midlevel package would have brought the weight considerably down - as well as the price.

As I keep saying... this car is too heavy. And for all of Lexus' marketing hype about the TT V6 performing similar to the 750i and S550, I have yet to see a single independent test that is under 5 seconds for the car. Most are 5.3-5.5 seconds. Pretty unfortunate.

There was some pretty good praise for the LS 500:

"Just like Republicans and Democrats have effectively swapped ideologies over the years, BMW and Lexus seemed to have changed M.O.s in the past five years or so. The Lexus LS used to be soft and cushy, but now it offers up damn near sports car levels of performance. Its new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and when combined with its new 10-speed auto, it hustles the LS to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.7 second at 103 mph. Not enough evidence for you? The LS 500 lapped our figure eight in a test-best 25.7 seconds at 0.73 g, and it aced the 60–0 braking test with a 113-foot stop."

"Driven back to back with the BMW, Genesis, and Lincoln, the Lexus feels an order of magnitude sportier than the rest of the pack. The new V-6 maintains the Lexus tradition of buttery-smooth revs, with plenty of low-end torque, and the automatic happily shunts through its 10 cogs in the background. However, if you ask for moderate or more acceleration from the LS 500, the V-6 struggles to move the 5,103-pound sedan, and the transmission’s shifts get harsh."

"The LS 500’s steering is much more new-gen and away from the numb appliances of yore. Sporty, direct, and with a stiffness that will be unfamiliar to the Lexus legions, the LS 500 is a good set of tires away from being a true canyon carver. Our test car’s air suspension sorted out big bumps but struggled with small, high-frequency bumps such as the Botts’ dots that line California lanes. “We’re on pretty new pavement here, and I’m still getting lots of small vibrations from all the little bumps in the road you can’t see from the driver’s seat,” Evans said."

"The Lexus’ cabin matches the Lincoln’s for its distinctiveness but outstrips it in elegance. The LS 500’s interior perhaps isn’t quite as revolutionary as its LC sister’s, but it’s a huge step forward for the sedan, with beautiful wood, bright metallic trim running horizontally across the cabin, and a cool backlit piece of artwork on the passenger dash like in the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. The LS’ doors are also particularly noteworthy, with an artful origami-inspired finish."

“The Lexus blows the others away in making the owner feel rich and successful,” Gale said."

I'm not sure that a fully decked out $103k LS 500 AWD with the executive package was really necessary, especially since it weighs in at a morbidly obese 5,100lbs. A RWD LS 500 with a midlevel package would have brought the weight considerably down - as well as the price.

As I keep saying... this car is too heavy. And for all of Lexus' marketing hype about the TT V6 performing similar to the 750i and S550, I have yet to see a single independent test that is under 5 seconds for the car. Most are 5.3-5.5 seconds. Pretty unfortunate.

There was some pretty good praise for the LS 500:

"Just like Republicans and Democrats have effectively swapped ideologies over the years, BMW and Lexus seemed to have changed M.O.s in the past five years or so. The Lexus LS used to be soft and cushy, but now it offers up damn near sports car levels of performance. Its new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and when combined with its new 10-speed auto, it hustles the LS to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.7 second at 103 mph. Not enough evidence for you? The LS 500 lapped our figure eight in a test-best 25.7 seconds at 0.73 g, and it aced the 60–0 braking test with a 113-foot stop."

"Driven back to back with the BMW, Genesis, and Lincoln, the Lexus feels an order of magnitude sportier than the rest of the pack. The new V-6 maintains the Lexus tradition of buttery-smooth revs, with plenty of low-end torque, and the automatic happily shunts through its 10 cogs in the background. However, if you ask for moderate or more acceleration from the LS 500, the V-6 struggles to move the 5,103-pound sedan, and the transmission’s shifts get harsh."

"The LS 500’s steering is much more new-gen and away from the numb appliances of yore. Sporty, direct, and with a stiffness that will be unfamiliar to the Lexus legions, the LS 500 is a good set of tires away from being a true canyon carver. Our test car’s air suspension sorted out big bumps but struggled with small, high-frequency bumps such as the Botts’ dots that line California lanes. “We’re on pretty new pavement here, and I’m still getting lots of small vibrations from all the little bumps in the road you can’t see from the driver’s seat,” Evans said."

"The Lexus’ cabin matches the Lincoln’s for its distinctiveness but outstrips it in elegance. The LS 500’s interior perhaps isn’t quite as revolutionary as its LC sister’s, but it’s a huge step forward for the sedan, with beautiful wood, bright metallic trim running horizontally across the cabin, and a cool backlit piece of artwork on the passenger dash like in the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. The LS’ doors are also particularly noteworthy, with an artful origami-inspired finish."

“The Lexus blows the others away in making the owner feel rich and successful,” Gale said."

I'm not sure that a fully decked out $103k LS 500 AWD with the executive package was really necessary, especially since it weighs in at a morbidly obese 5,100lbs. A RWD LS 500 with a midlevel package would have brought the weight considerably down - as well as the price.

As I keep saying... this car is too heavy. And for all of Lexus' marketing hype about the TT V6 performing similar to the 750i and S550, I have yet to see a single independent test that is under 5 seconds for the car. Most are 5.3-5.5 seconds. Pretty unfortunate.

Gecko

There was some pretty good praise for the LS 500:

"Just like Republicans and Democrats have effectively swapped ideologies over the years, BMW and Lexus seemed to have changed M.O.s in the past five years or so. The Lexus LS used to be soft and cushy, but now it offers up damn near sports car levels of performance. Its new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and when combined with its new 10-speed auto, it hustles the LS to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.7 second at 103 mph. Not enough evidence for you? The LS 500 lapped our figure eight in a test-best 25.7 seconds at 0.73 g, and it aced the 60–0 braking test with a 113-foot stop."

"Driven back to back with the BMW, Genesis, and Lincoln, the Lexus feels an order of magnitude sportier than the rest of the pack. The new V-6 maintains the Lexus tradition of buttery-smooth revs, with plenty of low-end torque, and the automatic happily shunts through its 10 cogs in the background. However, if you ask for moderate or more acceleration from the LS 500, the V-6 struggles to move the 5,103-pound sedan, and the transmission’s shifts get harsh."

"The LS 500’s steering is much more new-gen and away from the numb appliances of yore. Sporty, direct, and with a stiffness that will be unfamiliar to the Lexus legions, the LS 500 is a good set of tires away from being a true canyon carver. Our test car’s air suspension sorted out big bumps but struggled with small, high-frequency bumps such as the Botts’ dots that line California lanes. “We’re on pretty new pavement here, and I’m still getting lots of small vibrations from all the little bumps in the road you can’t see from the driver’s seat,” Evans said."

"The Lexus’ cabin matches the Lincoln’s for its distinctiveness but outstrips it in elegance. The LS 500’s interior perhaps isn’t quite as revolutionary as its LC sister’s, but it’s a huge step forward for the sedan, with beautiful wood, bright metallic trim running horizontally across the cabin, and a cool backlit piece of artwork on the passenger dash like in the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. The LS’ doors are also particularly noteworthy, with an artful origami-inspired finish."

“The Lexus blows the others away in making the owner feel rich and successful,” Gale said."

I'm not sure that a fully decked out $103k LS 500 AWD with the executive package was really necessary, especially since it weighs in at a morbidly obese 5,100lbs. A RWD LS 500 with a midlevel package would have brought the weight considerably down - as well as the price.

As I keep saying... this car is too heavy. And for all of Lexus' marketing hype about the TT V6 performing similar to the 750i and S550, I have yet to see a single independent test that is under 5 seconds for the car. Most are 5.3-5.5 seconds. Pretty unfortunate.

Yes 5,100 lbs is wow but it was AWD. Not sure why this spec was sent/chosen. Weird. I just don't understand the inclusion of the Continental.

Gecko

There was some pretty good praise for the LS 500:

"Just like Republicans and Democrats have effectively swapped ideologies over the years, BMW and Lexus seemed to have changed M.O.s in the past five years or so. The Lexus LS used to be soft and cushy, but now it offers up damn near sports car levels of performance. Its new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and when combined with its new 10-speed auto, it hustles the LS to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.7 second at 103 mph. Not enough evidence for you? The LS 500 lapped our figure eight in a test-best 25.7 seconds at 0.73 g, and it aced the 60–0 braking test with a 113-foot stop."

"Driven back to back with the BMW, Genesis, and Lincoln, the Lexus feels an order of magnitude sportier than the rest of the pack. The new V-6 maintains the Lexus tradition of buttery-smooth revs, with plenty of low-end torque, and the automatic happily shunts through its 10 cogs in the background. However, if you ask for moderate or more acceleration from the LS 500, the V-6 struggles to move the 5,103-pound sedan, and the transmission’s shifts get harsh."

"The LS 500’s steering is much more new-gen and away from the numb appliances of yore. Sporty, direct, and with a stiffness that will be unfamiliar to the Lexus legions, the LS 500 is a good set of tires away from being a true canyon carver. Our test car’s air suspension sorted out big bumps but struggled with small, high-frequency bumps such as the Botts’ dots that line California lanes. “We’re on pretty new pavement here, and I’m still getting lots of small vibrations from all the little bumps in the road you can’t see from the driver’s seat,” Evans said."

"The Lexus’ cabin matches the Lincoln’s for its distinctiveness but outstrips it in elegance. The LS 500’s interior perhaps isn’t quite as revolutionary as its LC sister’s, but it’s a huge step forward for the sedan, with beautiful wood, bright metallic trim running horizontally across the cabin, and a cool backlit piece of artwork on the passenger dash like in the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. The LS’ doors are also particularly noteworthy, with an artful origami-inspired finish."

“The Lexus blows the others away in making the owner feel rich and successful,” Gale said."

I'm not sure that a fully decked out $103k LS 500 AWD with the executive package was really necessary, especially since it weighs in at a morbidly obese 5,100lbs. A RWD LS 500 with a midlevel package would have brought the weight considerably down - as well as the price.

As I keep saying... this car is too heavy. And for all of Lexus' marketing hype about the TT V6 performing similar to the 750i and S550, I have yet to see a single independent test that is under 5 seconds for the car. Most are 5.3-5.5 seconds. Pretty unfortunate.

Yes 5,100 lbs is wow but it was AWD. Not sure why this spec was sent/chosen. Weird. I just don't understand the inclusion of the Continental.

Gecko

There was some pretty good praise for the LS 500:

"Just like Republicans and Democrats have effectively swapped ideologies over the years, BMW and Lexus seemed to have changed M.O.s in the past five years or so. The Lexus LS used to be soft and cushy, but now it offers up damn near sports car levels of performance. Its new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and when combined with its new 10-speed auto, it hustles the LS to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.7 second at 103 mph. Not enough evidence for you? The LS 500 lapped our figure eight in a test-best 25.7 seconds at 0.73 g, and it aced the 60–0 braking test with a 113-foot stop."

"Driven back to back with the BMW, Genesis, and Lincoln, the Lexus feels an order of magnitude sportier than the rest of the pack. The new V-6 maintains the Lexus tradition of buttery-smooth revs, with plenty of low-end torque, and the automatic happily shunts through its 10 cogs in the background. However, if you ask for moderate or more acceleration from the LS 500, the V-6 struggles to move the 5,103-pound sedan, and the transmission’s shifts get harsh."

"The LS 500’s steering is much more new-gen and away from the numb appliances of yore. Sporty, direct, and with a stiffness that will be unfamiliar to the Lexus legions, the LS 500 is a good set of tires away from being a true canyon carver. Our test car’s air suspension sorted out big bumps but struggled with small, high-frequency bumps such as the Botts’ dots that line California lanes. “We’re on pretty new pavement here, and I’m still getting lots of small vibrations from all the little bumps in the road you can’t see from the driver’s seat,” Evans said."

"The Lexus’ cabin matches the Lincoln’s for its distinctiveness but outstrips it in elegance. The LS 500’s interior perhaps isn’t quite as revolutionary as its LC sister’s, but it’s a huge step forward for the sedan, with beautiful wood, bright metallic trim running horizontally across the cabin, and a cool backlit piece of artwork on the passenger dash like in the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. The LS’ doors are also particularly noteworthy, with an artful origami-inspired finish."

“The Lexus blows the others away in making the owner feel rich and successful,” Gale said."

I'm not sure that a fully decked out $103k LS 500 AWD with the executive package was really necessary, especially since it weighs in at a morbidly obese 5,100lbs. A RWD LS 500 with a midlevel package would have brought the weight considerably down - as well as the price.

As I keep saying... this car is too heavy. And for all of Lexus' marketing hype about the TT V6 performing similar to the 750i and S550, I have yet to see a single independent test that is under 5 seconds for the car. Most are 5.3-5.5 seconds. Pretty unfortunate.

Yes 5,100 lbs is wow but it was AWD. Not sure why this spec was sent/chosen. Weird. I just don't understand the inclusion of the Continental.

mikeavelli

Yes 5,100 lbs is wow but it was AWD. Not sure why this spec was sent/chosen. Weird. I just don't understand the inclusion of the Continental.

All the cars in the comparison are AWD models.