CAR Magazine Review: The 2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

Posted by Kevin on February 22nd, 2018

Ben Oliver at CAR Magazine has written a balanced review of the new Lexus LS 500h hybrid:

I’d usually let you decide for yourself about a car’s exterior design but as you’re unlikely ever to see an LS in the metal, here’s what I think. I love it. In proportion if not in detail, this is how the Maserati Quattroporte (not a fan) should have looked.

It’s a 3.5-litre atmo V6 with the new Lexus Multi-Stage hybrid system and a CVT transmission, first seen in the LC coupe and retuned slightly for the saloon. Its system total of 354bhp is worked hard by the 2340kg mass of the car. Exiting a roundabout at the pace of a chauffeur just starting to get worried about delivering you to the airport on time easily sends the needle to 3000rpm or beyond to deliver the required torque, and an unpleasant moo-whine-thrash into the cabin.

Also buried in the review is this technical tidbit to file for future reference:

The car’s deputy chief engineer told me there hadn’t been time to hybridise the twin-turbo version of the V6 before this car was launched, but the job was now in hand. More torque lower down would probably solve both the refinement and the engagement issues, and make the LS a much better car.

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Comments
bogglo
"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."

I think This is due to the Tire choice Lexus went with. They should have find a way to include a spare tire to eradicate the use of runflats. Am sure a Tire Update to that LS will produce a different result in all aspect of the driving review.
bogglo
"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."

I think This is due to the Tire choice Lexus went with. They should have find a way to include a spare tire to eradicate the use of runflats. Am sure a Tire Update to that LS will produce a different result in all aspect of the driving review.
L
Nouvel
Every Lexus is better looking in non F-sport versions.
I respectfully disagree! The LS 500 F Sport variant looks great just like the standard LS 500, but why is one half of the F Sport exterior trim (window, rear lights & side mirrors) chrome while the other half (grille frame, rocker trim & trunk lip molding ) plated black? o_O IMO, this somewhat ruins the overall appearance of the F Sport unless you choose Obsidian or Caviar as an exterior color.

Also, I like the F Sport front fascia better, as the lower grill intakes match the main grill unlike the standard LS 500 contrasting plastic lower grill intakes which make the front end look less refined.
L
Nouvel
Every Lexus is better looking in non F-sport versions.
I respectfully disagree! The LS 500 F Sport variant looks great just like the standard LS 500, but why is one half of the F Sport exterior trim (window, rear lights & side mirrors) chrome while the other half (grille frame, rocker trim & trunk lip molding ) plated black? o_O IMO, this somewhat ruins the overall appearance of the F Sport unless you choose Obsidian or Caviar as an exterior color.

Also, I like the F Sport front fascia better, as the lower grill intakes match the main grill unlike the standard LS 500 contrasting plastic lower grill intakes which make the front end look less refined.
L
Nouvel
Every Lexus is better looking in non F-sport versions.
I respectfully disagree! The LS 500 F Sport variant looks great just like the standard LS 500, but why is one half of the F Sport exterior trim (window, rear lights & side mirrors) chrome while the other half (grille frame, rocker trim & trunk lip molding ) plated black? o_O IMO, this somewhat ruins the overall appearance of the F Sport unless you choose Obsidian or Caviar as an exterior color.

Also, I like the F Sport front fascia better, as the lower grill intakes match the main grill unlike the standard LS 500 contrasting plastic lower grill intakes which make the front end look less refined.
mikeavelli
I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.

Joaquin Ruhi
These excerpts from the Motor Trend comparison answer your comments and objections:
I still don't understand the logic. The Continental is big for its size but it is nowhere near a flagship. It STARTS at $45,000 and most are around $60,000 with the upper end trim. Should we include the XTS too?
mikeavelli
I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.

Joaquin Ruhi
These excerpts from the Motor Trend comparison answer your comments and objections:
I still don't understand the logic. The Continental is big for its size but it is nowhere near a flagship. It STARTS at $45,000 and most are around $60,000 with the upper end trim. Should we include the XTS too?
mikeavelli
I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.

Joaquin Ruhi
These excerpts from the Motor Trend comparison answer your comments and objections:
I still don't understand the logic. The Continental is big for its size but it is nowhere near a flagship. It STARTS at $45,000 and most are around $60,000 with the upper end trim. Should we include the XTS too?
Ian Schmidt
I gotta agree, the Conti is clearly outclassed in that comparison. And there is no American-made LS/7/S-Class competitor, which kind of blows up MT's concept. The Model S dropped any pretense at luxury when they deleted ventilated seats, which for my money are the defining luxury feature of the late 2000s.
Ian Schmidt
I gotta agree, the Conti is clearly outclassed in that comparison. And there is no American-made LS/7/S-Class competitor, which kind of blows up MT's concept. The Model S dropped any pretense at luxury when they deleted ventilated seats, which for my money are the defining luxury feature of the late 2000s.
Ian Schmidt
I gotta agree, the Conti is clearly outclassed in that comparison. And there is no American-made LS/7/S-Class competitor, which kind of blows up MT's concept. The Model S dropped any pretense at luxury when they deleted ventilated seats, which for my money are the defining luxury feature of the late 2000s.
zeusus
mikeavelli
I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.
Well seems like the rumors from a few years ago came true. Lexus took a "panamera competitor" approach to the LS. Looks sporty, drives sporty, rear seating space reduced, low roof line.
zeusus
mikeavelli
I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.
Well seems like the rumors from a few years ago came true. Lexus took a "panamera competitor" approach to the LS. Looks sporty, drives sporty, rear seating space reduced, low roof line.
zeusus
mikeavelli
I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.
Well seems like the rumors from a few years ago came true. Lexus took a "panamera competitor" approach to the LS. Looks sporty, drives sporty, rear seating space reduced, low roof line.
Tragic Bronson
Joaquin Ruhi
... Representing the stars and stripes is the 2017 Lincoln Continental AWD Black Label 3.0. Wait, you say, why isn’t the California-born and -bred Tesla Model S the American pick? After all, it is far and away the best-seller in this segment—it even outsells the Mercedes S-Class—so we reasoned we’d hold it back for a future test with this comparison’s winner and the S-Class. As for the “other” big American luxury car, the Cadillac CT6, well, it’s unimpressive, finishing third to the Mercedes E-Class and Volvo S90 in its last comparison. With no major changes to the CT6 since then, we thought we’d give the Continental, a proper flagship for the Lincoln lineup, its shot at glory.
Old money prefers traditional luxury nameplates, while "new money" folks AKA tech guys and younger executives have flocked to Tesla.
Tragic Bronson
Joaquin Ruhi
... Representing the stars and stripes is the 2017 Lincoln Continental AWD Black Label 3.0. Wait, you say, why isn’t the California-born and -bred Tesla Model S the American pick? After all, it is far and away the best-seller in this segment—it even outsells the Mercedes S-Class—so we reasoned we’d hold it back for a future test with this comparison’s winner and the S-Class. As for the “other” big American luxury car, the Cadillac CT6, well, it’s unimpressive, finishing third to the Mercedes E-Class and Volvo S90 in its last comparison. With no major changes to the CT6 since then, we thought we’d give the Continental, a proper flagship for the Lincoln lineup, its shot at glory.
Old money prefers traditional luxury nameplates, while "new money" folks AKA tech guys and younger executives have flocked to Tesla.
Tragic Bronson
Joaquin Ruhi
... Representing the stars and stripes is the 2017 Lincoln Continental AWD Black Label 3.0. Wait, you say, why isn’t the California-born and -bred Tesla Model S the American pick? After all, it is far and away the best-seller in this segment—it even outsells the Mercedes S-Class—so we reasoned we’d hold it back for a future test with this comparison’s winner and the S-Class. As for the “other” big American luxury car, the Cadillac CT6, well, it’s unimpressive, finishing third to the Mercedes E-Class and Volvo S90 in its last comparison. With no major changes to the CT6 since then, we thought we’d give the Continental, a proper flagship for the Lincoln lineup, its shot at glory.
Old money prefers traditional luxury nameplates, while "new money" folks AKA tech guys and younger executives have flocked to Tesla.
D
  • D
    DDas
  • December 19, 2017
ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.
D
  • D
    DDas
  • December 19, 2017
ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.
D
  • D
    DDas
  • December 19, 2017
ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.
Tragic Bronson
DDas
ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.
Too late...Lexus allowed MT to test the car against its competitors and this is what happened. As long as it sells, any news is good news?
Tragic Bronson
DDas
ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.
Too late...Lexus allowed MT to test the car against its competitors and this is what happened. As long as it sells, any news is good news?
Tragic Bronson
DDas
ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.
Too late...Lexus allowed MT to test the car against its competitors and this is what happened. As long as it sells, any news is good news?
M
Hi Guys,

And in a Head 2 Head at MT (YouTube: 2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs. 2018 Lexus LC 500 - Head 2 Head Ep. 96), despite being almost a 100K cheaper, and at par or better than the competition, the Lexus (the LC 500) STILL doesn't win over the Aston Martin DB11!

How come Lexus never wins at MT!? This review for me was another surprising conclusion. Just when you think MT would tip in favour of the Lexus!
M
Hi Guys,

And in a Head 2 Head at MT (YouTube: 2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs. 2018 Lexus LC 500 - Head 2 Head Ep. 96), despite being almost a 100K cheaper, and at par or better than the competition, the Lexus (the LC 500) STILL doesn't win over the Aston Martin DB11!

How come Lexus never wins at MT!? This review for me was another surprising conclusion. Just when you think MT would tip in favour of the Lexus!
M
Hi Guys,

And in a Head 2 Head at MT (YouTube: 2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs. 2018 Lexus LC 500 - Head 2 Head Ep. 96), despite being almost a 100K cheaper, and at par or better than the competition, the Lexus (the LC 500) STILL doesn't win over the Aston Martin DB11!

How come Lexus never wins at MT!? This review for me was another surprising conclusion. Just when you think MT would tip in favour of the Lexus!
LDeleuran
I wouldn't say never. Remember when the NX won against its competition:

https://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/03...or-trend-luxury-compact-crossover-comparison/

This latest Head2Head, however, is really wonky. How can the styling of the LC500 not be quite there!? It seems like the LC is ahead in pretty much every aspect... but it has the wrong badge?
LDeleuran
I wouldn't say never. Remember when the NX won against its competition:

https://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/03...or-trend-luxury-compact-crossover-comparison/

This latest Head2Head, however, is really wonky. How can the styling of the LC500 not be quite there!? It seems like the LC is ahead in pretty much every aspect... but it has the wrong badge?
LDeleuran
I wouldn't say never. Remember when the NX won against its competition:

https://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/03...or-trend-luxury-compact-crossover-comparison/

This latest Head2Head, however, is really wonky. How can the styling of the LC500 not be quite there!? It seems like the LC is ahead in pretty much every aspect... but it has the wrong badge?
zeusus
momers
Hi Guys,

And in a Head 2 Head at MT (YouTube: 2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs. 2018 Lexus LC 500 - Head 2 Head Ep. 96), despite being almost a 100K cheaper, and at par or better than the competition, the Lexus (the LC 500) STILL doesn't win over the Aston Martin DB11!

How come Lexus never wins at MT!? This review for me was another surprising conclusion. Just when you think MT would tip in favour of the Lexus!
Yea they apparently had a hard time deciding which was the winner but they wore their bias like a romper.

They specifically said the LC was the more 'balanced' car, the better 'drivers' car and the Aston Martin was a better road car whereas the LC performed better on the track. They specifically stated they were NOT considering price (even though there is a clear 100k+ difference) and gave it to the AM for the sole reason that it was a better road car and in the GT category. To be honest, they couldn't just say no to the badge. The badge won the review but the LC won the real test that day.

If anybody watched that video and did not watch the conclusion, I think 90% would assume the LC won. Take a look at the comments, overwhelming positive remarks for the LC over the DB. No question in my mind Lexus made a great decision with the LC, it brought them so much street cred in terms of sex appeal.

See for yourself folks

Z