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
krew
CAR Magazine Review: The 2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

[​IMG]

Loves the design, not crazy about the hybrid powertrain.
View the original article post
krew
CAR Magazine Review: The 2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

[​IMG]

Loves the design, not crazy about the hybrid powertrain.
View the original article post
krew
CAR Magazine Review: The 2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

[​IMG]

Loves the design, not crazy about the hybrid powertrain.
View the original article post
mikeavelli
I finally drove my first LS, a base LS 500 F-Sport AWD and fell in love. As a previous LS F-Sport owner I am STUNNED at how much better this drives. An already great interior has now become sensational. The new seats are a huge plus. The V-6tt pulls nice but doesn't blow you away. It is much more responsive with the transmission than the past LS F-Sport.

It is a really really well done car. It made me grin which is something the last LS didn't do when I drove it, just when I looked at it.
maiaramdan
So , can we expect the facelifted 500h to be the 3.5l V6 TT hybrid???
meth.ix
Imagine a hybridized version of the 3.5L TTV6 :neutral::neutral::neutral:
maiaramdan
Yeah he himself said it
That there was no time to make it as the non hybrid TT was so close to the announcement
S
It's interesting how he commented on the lack of torque while the last thing a hybrid drivetrain lacks is torque, and multi-stage is designed to produce even more torque at the wheels. Lexus' own tech review claimed the 500h drivetrain has higher instantaneous acceleration than even the outgoing 600h, that's with 100 horsepower less. The 500h can keep up with the 500 in short sprints with 25% lower power-to-weight ratio which is quite an accomplishment.

The problem here is more the lack of refinement than lack of power. Maybe the drivetrain is tuned for LC application so it tries to aggressively engage a lower 'gear', which increases noise and gives an impression of 'being worked hard'.

Again, the automotive press just have zero idea of what torque really is.
zeusus
ssun30
It's interesting how he commented on the lack of torque while the last thing a hybrid drivetrain lacks is torque, and multi-stage is designed to produce even more torque at the wheels.

Again, the automotive press just have zero idea of what torque really is.
You are spot on, the auto press and media in general are VERY lazy and pretty much take material, content and even headlines from each other. Almost every organization love the LC and LS EXCEPT for the infotainment, yes there has to be one bad guy because they can't fully love a Lexus (automotive blasphemy).

Notice how they all mimic each other almost exactly about the infotainment. Now its pretty much assumed the infotainment will be shat on in every LC and LS review, despite pretty much everything else being slightly negative, neutral or very positive.

Z