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.

Lexus LS: Fourth GenerationReviews
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Comments
S
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

S
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

Gecko
^That was fairly brutal. Ouch.
Gecko
^That was fairly brutal. Ouch.
Gecko
^That was fairly brutal. Ouch.
Ian Schmidt
Consumer Reports has a bit of tarnish on their reputation after they recently bought the popular website The Consumerist and shut it down to end the competition.
Ian Schmidt
Consumer Reports has a bit of tarnish on their reputation after they recently bought the popular website The Consumerist and shut it down to end the competition.
Ian Schmidt
Consumer Reports has a bit of tarnish on their reputation after they recently bought the popular website The Consumerist and shut it down to end the competition.
John Strange
Serpens
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

All reviewers seem to focus on the infotainment system as the one item that makes the Lexus unacceptable . First off it seems to me, you only go into the multi levels to do the initial settings and after that items like temps and audio items are adjustable with the knurled knobs or buttons. Their anger is overplayed, spread the word.
John Strange
Serpens
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

All reviewers seem to focus on the infotainment system as the one item that makes the Lexus unacceptable . First off it seems to me, you only go into the multi levels to do the initial settings and after that items like temps and audio items are adjustable with the knurled knobs or buttons. Their anger is overplayed, spread the word.
John Strange
Serpens
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

All reviewers seem to focus on the infotainment system as the one item that makes the Lexus unacceptable . First off it seems to me, you only go into the multi levels to do the initial settings and after that items like temps and audio items are adjustable with the knurled knobs or buttons. Their anger is overplayed, spread the word.
krew
Serpens
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
krew
Serpens
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
krew
Serpens
Consumer reports was less than charitable in their quick review today. They're usually more upbeat on Lexus products:

Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
James
krew
Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
What do you expect? They have to complain about something to make sure the Germans stay on top! Can't wait to start seeing the LS on the road!
James
krew
Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
What do you expect? They have to complain about something to make sure the Germans stay on top! Can't wait to start seeing the LS on the road!
James
krew
Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
What do you expect? They have to complain about something to make sure the Germans stay on top! Can't wait to start seeing the LS on the road!
S
James
What do you expect? They have to complain about something to make sure the Germans stay on top! Can't wait to start seeing the LS on the road!
This is CR we’re talking about, they definitely do not have a love affair with German automakers.

I too can’t wait to see this in person. I have very mixed opinions about the exterior styling so I’m looking forward to continued exposure.
S
James
What do you expect? They have to complain about something to make sure the Germans stay on top! Can't wait to start seeing the LS on the road!
This is CR we’re talking about, they definitely do not have a love affair with German automakers.

I too can’t wait to see this in person. I have very mixed opinions about the exterior styling so I’m looking forward to continued exposure.
S
James
What do you expect? They have to complain about something to make sure the Germans stay on top! Can't wait to start seeing the LS on the road!
This is CR we’re talking about, they definitely do not have a love affair with German automakers.

I too can’t wait to see this in person. I have very mixed opinions about the exterior styling so I’m looking forward to continued exposure.
S
krew
Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.

Then we read US reviews and we wonder what are they smoking.
S
krew
Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.

Then we read US reviews and we wonder what are they smoking.
S
krew
Complain about the seat and steering wheel heater, fail to mention Climate Concierge and its ability to control all HVAC functions based on the desired temperature.

¯_(ツ)_/¯
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.

Then we read US reviews and we wonder what are they smoking.
krew
spwolf
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.
The LS is not perfect, but those criticisms are insane.
krew
spwolf
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.
The LS is not perfect, but those criticisms are insane.
krew
spwolf
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.
The LS is not perfect, but those criticisms are insane.
MichaelL
spwolf
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.

Then we read US reviews and we wonder what are they smoking.
I would be shocked if the LS is that bad, can't believe it. Can't wait to see more US reviews and customer reviews. The British do love their German cars though....
MichaelL
spwolf
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.

Then we read US reviews and we wonder what are they smoking.
I would be shocked if the LS is that bad, can't believe it. Can't wait to see more US reviews and customer reviews. The British do love their German cars though....
MichaelL
spwolf
all the UK reviews mentioned LS is loud, bumpy and has poor interior quality compared to the Germans.

Then we read US reviews and we wonder what are they smoking.
I would be shocked if the LS is that bad, can't believe it. Can't wait to see more US reviews and customer reviews. The British do love their German cars though....
Ian Schmidt
MichaelL
I would be shocked if the LS is that bad, can't believe it. Can't wait to see more US reviews and customer reviews. The British do love their German cars though....
Krew's driven a new LS. I think he would've noticed :)

I