Performance Test: The 2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT vs Mercedes S560 AMG Line

Posted by Kevin on March 1st, 2018

AMCI Testing, one of the most respected independent automotive testing companies in the world, has conducted a comparison between the Lexus LS 500 F SPORT and the Mercedes-Benz S560 AMG Line:

Considering the video was commissioned by Lexus and is featured on the LS USA website, it would be easy enough to write off the results — however, this quote from the AMCI Testing website should set your mind at ease:

Only AMCI Testing work meets the strictest requirements set forth in Section 5 of the FTC Act, substantiating claims and guarding all parties against unfair and deceptive advertising practices which are subject to prosecution by the federal government.

As proof of the unassailable substantiation services we offer, no ‘AMCI Testing-Certified’ competitive claim has ever been retracted due to a legal challenge- a record that spans nearly 30 years.

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Comments
PeterF
impressive. Although Justin Bell is clearly a Lexus fan and has worked for Lexus in other video car comparisons. Nonetheless, I am convinced by the AMCI statements of accuracy.
Gecko
Obviously a nice promo piece for Lexus, but I'd have liked to see the acceleration results as well ;)
meth.ix
Gecko
Obviously a nice promo piece for Lexus, but I'd like to have seen the acceleration results as well ;)
True, but Lexus probably requested for handling performance tests to be conducted over speed because the AMG Line and F Sport packages both offer superior handling over the regular model. Acceleration and downright speed isn't the main focus of both vehicles. Maybe a future LS F and S 63 would be good for that test.
PeterF
Gecko
Obviously a nice promo piece for Lexus, but I'd like to have seen the acceleration results as well ;)
meth.ix
True, but Lexus probably requested for handling performance tests to be conducted over speed because the AMG Line and F Sport packages both offer superior handling over the regular model. Acceleration and downright speed isn't the main focus of both vehicles. Maybe a future LS F and S 63 would be good for that test.
True but the AMG will out accelerate the LS; more HP and lighter as well. So maybe not including acceleration was intentional by Lexus. Still, the handling aspect is very impressive nonetheless. These 2 cars are truly outstanding. But the LEXUS, a little better on the handling :) :)
S
I see no mention of whether the Benz had Magic Body Control.
D
  • D
    DDas
  • March 2, 2018
Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.
zeusus
At first I thought it was unfair because it was the F Sport then I saw it was the AMG Line and was pleasantly surprised!
S
The good takeaway here is that the LS500 F-Sport has suppressed stability control intervention, giving a more neutral response. An overly restrictive TC/SC and resulting understeer is a common complaint about last generation Lexus F-Sport vehicles (in particular the IS350 since it is expected to be a nimble car).
A
DDas
Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.
I am also presently suprisurped by how good the LS look near the presence of the S class. Wow S class never looked so old until now
L
German cars are overrated. In reality, cars never were that different if similar costs / price.
Gecko
This probably sounds trivial, but I wish Lexus would offer a wood trim option on the LS F Sport - preferably black, be it polished or open pore. I'd have a fundamental problem buying a $100k LS that didn't have a speck of wood on the interior. As much as I love the car, that interior doesn't quite look the price point without wood, IMO.
M
Kind of irrelevant considering F-Sport will end up being a single digit fraction of total LS sales while real wheel steering package will end up being a fraction on top of a fraction. Maybe few dozens of people annually across the globe will shell out extra $10,000 for F-Sport with Dynamic rear steer.

And like Gecko has said stripping F-Sport of all the luxury features and veneers inside makes this one hell of a challenge to sell. Who says people don't want brown seats with mahogany inside mid to big sporty driving sedans?
R
  • R
    RAL
  • March 2, 2018
DDas
Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.
I'm thinking the same thing ... the S Class' styling comparatively seems almost out-of-date. It reminds me of the striking difference in design I noticed when we traded our '13 RX for the '15 NX. Parked by the NX, the last generation RX's design looked quite outdated ...

And I know I am more conservative, but I think the LS would be near-perfect if the spindle were toned down just a bit to better correlate with the car's overall styling, most especially compared to the back end. Also, I agree with Gecko, thinking the LS F needs some dark open pore wood at this price point.

But yeah, the performance and the design of this LS is cutting edge amazing!
Gecko
mediumhot
And like Gecko has said stripping F-Sport of all the luxury features and veneers inside makes this one hell of a challenge to sell. Who says people don't want brown seats with mahogany inside mid to big sporty driving sedans?
Bingo - this would be my dream car. LS 500 F Sport with Caviar exterior with Nobel Brown interior.

Totally omitting the nicer trim options on a sports edition car is for Camrys. Luxury is about choice. F sport could stand to be expanded a bit, and quite frankly, I wish it was an option package that could be applied to any car vs. a standalone model.

Cutting the exterior options to shades of gray + red, with only two interior options and no upgraded trim is just not a very "luxury flagship" move, IMO.
S
mediumhot
Kind of irrelevant considering F-Sport will end up being a single digit fraction of total LS sales while real wheel steering package will end up being a fraction on top of a fraction. Maybe few dozens of people annually across the globe will shell out extra $10,000 for F-Sport with Dynamic rear steer?
For all of the Lexus vehicles, F-Sport models are significant parts of the sales. I dont expect it to be much different for LS.

And it does not have to be F-Sport anyway - LS500 AWD outhandled and outgunned everything on MT track.
Ian Schmidt
Someone on the UX thread mentioned the up-top DRLs as looking bad on that car. In this video they look a million times worse on the S-Class. Gives it the appearance of an elderly man with caterpillar eyebrows.
S
Ian Schmidt
Someone on the UX thread mentioned the up-top DRLs as looking bad on that car. In this video they look a million times worse on the S-Class. Gives it the appearance of an elderly man with caterpillar eyebrows.
Yeah, S looks pretty old next to the LS.
C
DDas
Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.

Totally agree. I have a newfound admiration for the LS now!
mikeavelli
I've driven the S550 sport (not 560) quite a bit and now have seat time in the LS F-Sport. The LS F-Sport is shockingly good, it really really surprised me. The Benz just isn't sporty at all, it's a nice wonderful cruiser even with the sport pack.


mediumhot
Kind of irrelevant considering F-Sport will end up being a single digit fraction of total LS sales while real wheel steering package will end up being a fraction on top of a fraction. Maybe few dozens of people annually across the globe will shell out extra $10,000 for F-Sport with Dynamic rear steer.

And like Gecko has said stripping F-Sport of all the luxury features and veneers inside makes this one hell of a challenge to sell. Who says people don't want brown seats with mahogany inside mid to big sporty driving sedans?
The F-Sport cars have always sold better than predicted for Lexus. In reviewing the LS option packages the rear steer package includes a bit more but it is 9k. I would surely option it out with it.

I agree the F-SPort should have more interior options. There are only two colors inside, you can't get the luxury package again and I would prefer a carbon fiber interior and not the aluminium. Whereas with the Benz there are like 100 combos in any trim level.

M