Lexus LS 500 Contends for Automobile All-Stars Awards

Posted by Kevin on March 12th, 2019

The Lexus LS 500 was a contender for an Automobile All-Stars award, earning a healthy amount of respect from the reviewers involved:

“I think everyone has realized by now that the S-class is pretty much unbeatable when taken as a whole package,” contributor Jethro Bovingdon said. “Well, the LS is a world away from the S-class, and it couldn’t be anything but a Japanese take on luxury. We should celebrate any car that does the unexpected, and I really admire the wacky styling and unique interior. And the LS drives pretty well, too.”

He’s right. There’s a fresh, coupelike seating position along with quick steering and newfound agility at the expense of isolation compared to previous LS models. Gone is the V-8, replaced by a twin-turbo V-6 with more power and “an almost sporty engine note,” Bovingdon remarked. We applaud Lexus for taking risks with the LS, even if those risks end up being polarizing.

Lexus LS: Fourth Generation
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Comments
Gecko
Serpens
You definitely shouldn't speak for all millenials, as we're of differing opinons. Also Mercedes' average buyer age has declined in the last 5 years, so apparently their styling is resonating with younger people after all.
While I really like where Mercedes style is at right now... $30-$35k models like A Class, CLA and GLA probably have more to do with the average age of their buyer declining.
S
flexus
I could bet that models attracting younger buyers are coupes and SUV. Not C or E.
They all share the same design language, so that point is moot.

Gecko
While I really like where Mercedes style is at right now... $30-$35k models like A Class, CLA and GLA probably have more to do with the average age of their buyer declining.
This is true along with increased C-class sales. The GLC also sells better than its predecessor GLK. Regardless, they all have a very close family resemblance so the styling is resonating.
krew
Gecko
I personally believe S Class is the better car, but you also have to pay for that - and it's a lot - so it should be better. And LS would easily be my second place pick over 7er, A8, and others.
flexus
I think S class is good and gorgeus car but as a young adult we and other millenials share opinion that all Mercedes sedans are outdated in looks. They are like Volkswagen boring to look, something that familyman or pensioner would buy :/
Serpens
You definitely shouldn't speak for all millenials, as we're of differing opinons. Also Mercedes' average buyer age has declined in the last 5 years, so apparently their styling is resonating with younger people after all.
There are people out there that dislike Mercedes design? :neutral:

The single greatest thing about Mercedes is their commitment to being the best. They may miss the mark occasionally, but by and large, Mercedes is the most dominant force in luxury automotive. I would never bet against them.

The crazy thing is, I feel like Lexus was right there with Mercedes until they hit the reset button in 2012 with the introduction of the spindle grille and the great DESIGN branding push that ensued. With so many resources allocated to revamping the Lexus character, there was no way for product to maintain the same level as Mercedes and it's been a bumpy road ever since.

Gecko
I would say that in USA:

- A8 is primarily bought by people who want to be "under the radar," so not much caché for the layperson.
- 7er is also kind of a has-been car... I feel like it's primarily purchased by people who are just moving up through the BMW lineup, or people who have just "always had a 7 series."
- Panamera is badass and definitely has a solid following and lust factor.
- Model S - generally bought by techies and early adopters.
- LS - historically an older customer, and I don't have any real first hand experience with the LS 500 to provide an updated opinion. I'd like to think it is a younger and more performance oriented consumer, but I haven't really seen that in the few of them I've seen on the road.
- S - still very aspirational, has the most caché, the default, de-facto flagship luxury sedan, status symbol.
- XJ - bought by old ladies with big gray hair, oversize pearl necklaces and bright red lipstick.
:heart_eyes:
Gecko
krew
The crazy thing is, I feel like Lexus was right there with Mercedes until they hit the reset button in 2012 with the introduction of the spindle grille and the great DESIGN branding push that ensued. With so many resources allocated to revamping the Lexus character, there was no way for product to maintain the same level as Mercedes and it's been a bumpy road ever since.
Well said - agreed.
Ian Schmidt
krew
There are people out there that dislike Mercedes design? :neutral:
I'll raise my hand on that. I think the current S looks dated in the age of Sedans With No Headroom. The rest of their lineup is attractive but definitely trending towards "vulgar" with the light-up 3-pointed-star and stuff like that. I can't wait for gold plating and Bedazzling to become factory options on the C and E Class.
S
krew
There are people out there that dislike Mercedes design? :neutral:

The single greatest thing about Mercedes is their commitment to being the best. They may miss the mark occasionally, but by and large, Mercedes is the most dominant force in luxury automotive. I would never bet against them.

The crazy thing is, I feel like Lexus was right there with Mercedes until they hit the reset button in 2012 with the introduction of the spindle grille and the great DESIGN branding push that ensued. With so many resources allocated to revamping the Lexus character, there was no way for product to maintain the same level as Mercedes and it's been a bumpy road ever since.
Agreed. I find it personally frustrating to see Lexus like this because I know there's no shortage of talent. I'd love to see Lexus reestablish themselves as a product leader with this next generation of vehicles.
Ian Schmidt
Serpens
Agreed. I find it personally frustrating to see Lexus like this because I know there's no shortage of talent. I'd love to see Lexus reestablish themselves as a product leader with this next generation of vehicles.
I think there's a lot of opportunity for Lexus, because with TNGA they've finally got the actual driving right. They just need to drop a PHEV LS in 2021 and blow up the category.
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Ian Schmidt
I think there's a lot of opportunity for Lexus, because with TNGA they've finally got the actual driving right. They just need to drop a PHEV LS in 2021 and blow up the category.
They're going to have to go bigger than that. Mercedes is dropping their all electric EQS in 2022.
Ian Schmidt
Given the only coherent fast charge network in North America is Tesla's I don't see how that's gonna work. PHEV is the way forward until probably 2030.
S
Ian Schmidt
Given the only coherent fast charge network in North America is Tesla's I don't see how that's gonna work. PHEV is the way forward until probably 2030.
By the time 2022 rolls around we'll have seen a dramatic increase in public charging stations. That you can bet on. Regardless, the conventional S-class sedan will have a PHEV version as well. They've actually already sold a PHEV S-class (S550e) here in the past, but was sold in very small quantities due to limited range.
Ian Schmidt
We'll see. A lot of industry observers believe German EVs are going to be as hilarious as early-2000s German computerized cars. The S550e certainly didn't dispel that concept.
S
Ian Schmidt
We'll see. A lot of industry observers believe German EVs are going to be as hilarious as early-2000s German computerized cars. The S550e certainly didn't dispel that concept.
My industry connections (including the German ones) agree about this early round. The Mercedes EQC, the Audi EQC, BMW iX3, etc. that are adapted by ICE platforms certainly will. The dedicated EV platform ones that are coming along around 2022 will be a different story.

Anyways, I just hope Toyota doesn't wait too long.

S