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
ILoveLexus
Hello,

Do you think Lexus LS500 2019 will be equipped with Apple Carplay?
Ian Schmidt
There hasn't been official confirmation from Lexus yet, but there's no reason the 2019s wouldn't have it.
ILoveLexus
Ian Schmidt
There hasn't been official confirmation from Lexus yet, but there's no reason the 2019s wouldn't have it.
Thank you for answering my question. I guess i will have to wait the 2019 model then.
Do you have any idea which time of the year does Lexus usually releases the new models ?
Ian Schmidt
Typically late July / early August is when the next model year starts appearing. You can ask your dealer to get a more accurate timeframe.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • June 29, 2018
Welcome new member! ... @ILoveLexus
ILoveLexus
Will do! Thanks :)
ILoveLexus
RAL
Welcome new member! ... @ILoveLexus
Thank you, it is my pleasure to join such a wonderful community :)
RichieRich
ILoveLexus
Hello,

Do you think Lexus LS500 2019 will be equipped with Apple Carplay?
I'm almost sure I read All Lexus 2019 models will have Apple Carplay in them.
mikeavelli
Yeah I believe it was announced for the LC right?
krew
ILoveLexus
Hello,

Do you think Lexus LS500 2019 will be equipped with Apple Carplay?
RichieRich
I'm almost sure I read All Lexus 2019 models will have Apple Carplay in them.
I believe it will be all Lexus models with Enform 2.0, so that limits the upgrade to the LC, NX, RC, RC F, and LS.
maiaramdan
So if we start to get the Apple Car-play, will we ever see Android Auto?
Daniel Guyton
yes it will...along with the all new 2019 ES. Also will have Amazon Alexa capability...should be interesting
B

LS500 AWD.
B
According to an article I read in Motor trend. Apple car play and Amazon Alexa will be in LS500 and many other models. that is big plus to the infotainment system. I think all the news that we have had in the last 2 days lexus is very much on the right track. I just hope the ls sales continue.
M
Some praise from Road & Track here: What Is the Future of Luxury?

"Yet Lexus has extracted an ornament from an inconvenience. Shorn of the responsibility to hold up a balance sheet, the LS 500 is free to serve as a branding talisman, a corporate mission statement rendered in sinuous metal."

"On the twisting path to the Mount Wilson Observatory, the LS 500 confirms its excellence as a driver’s car, never experiencing brake fade and permitting a small but gratifying amount of sideways attitude before the stability system clamps down gently but firmly."

"While the LS’s combination volume-and-track-selection knob is a work of functional art and should be standard in every car, accessing other features requires a tiresome slog through the center-console menu."

"The transition from cover band to concert headliner suits the LS. Rightly renowned since its birth for being durable, it can now also be characterized as desirable."
B
@momers thanks sir!!! Awesome article!! I always knew the LS is on par with the Sclass.. and it doesn’t even need a v8 to do it!!

You take new pics yet at @Ian Schmidt ?
Ian Schmidt
Berto3818
You take new pics yet at @Ian Schmidt ?
It's rained here in northern MD I think every day for like 3 weeks now. Not an ideal situation to get the car detailed up.

Regarding the article, I think it made a different point from what you're saying, which is that Lexus is no longer chasing the S-Class, they're making their own car on their own Japanese terms. And that they're both great cars for what they're trying to do. Dude-bros who demand that full-size luxo-barges go at Porsche-like speeds can pay the horrifying markup (and depreciation) on the S63; smarter money buys an LS500 (or if you're a committed badge whore, an S550) and a Vette Z51. Or, heck, a Performance Package Model 3.
B
@Ian Schmidt yeah it has rained!! so much lol!!! take them when you can sir!! :) now that you say that your right but i never thought the LS ever chased the sclass.. but i'm probably wrong. I just think the LS is much better than the Sclass!! these cars don't need speed.. Yeah the S63 is very costly..

lmao i'm none of them!!!!!! sticking with the 5LS
B
@Ian Schmidt its almost order time!! apple car play and amazon alexa will be standard on all 19's next year.
zeusus
Living with the 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport – I’m NOT a Lexus guy, but . . .

[Essentially the LS500 changed his perception of brand as a whole.]

B
@zeusus yes sir!!
F1 Silver Arrows
Lexus LS500 F-Sport AWD Review by Matt Maran Motoring.



Saw this in my list of recommended videos today!

The review was also very positive (like most reviews of the LS) but there was one weird issue that he noted. If you guys want to watch the video then don't click on the spoiler. If you don't however......

Spoiler
Joaquin Ruhi
Definitely among the better and more thorough 5LS reviews I've read comes from WardsAuto's Tom Murphy. I love the title: Lexus LS: Brushstrokes, Ballyhoo and Bravery.

https://www.wardsauto.com/test-drives/lexus-ls-brushstrokes-ballyhoo-and-bravery
B
Awesome article!!! I knew no one is missing the V8..
F1 Silver Arrows
Berto3818
Awesome article!!! I knew no one is missing the V8..
Don't be so quick to make such conclusions. I know you mean in comparison to the 4.6 L V8; and yes, the TTV6 obviously more superior than the V8, but I just want to let you know that the LS needs a V8 option in general, namely a TTV8. The TTV6 in the LS, despite its greatness, if it wants to stay competitive, it needs to have a V8 under the hood.
B
@F1 Silver Arrows yes sir!! Exactly what I meant and your right it does need a V8 and it will probably get the TTV8. The TTv6 is far more superior that 4.6 and that is what I was alluding to.

Right on!

R,

Markus
Gecko
We will know about LS F soon enough, but I think Lexus has an opportunity to evolve the F strategy for this car into something that we haven't seen before - and capture both high performance shoppers and those who are looking for - and willing to pay for - "more" in general. I have a feeling that LS F will be the "super LS" that many of us have dreamed of, but not just in the realm of performance.

Will it be fast? Yes. Will it have quad exhaust and the fender vent? Probably. But let's be honest: Lexus' historical approach to F Sport might not work so well on a 5,000 pound, full size luxury sedan. They can't just put aluminum and carbon fiber trim inside a flagship car that costs ~$110k... the audience isn't going to be looking for that.

I am expecting higher end trim options like an open pore black woodgrain with laser etching or aluminum framing, a unique door insert pattern like the pleated one on the kiriko glass optioned interior, more alcantara, a unique steering wheel, etc. etc. I feel like their approach to this car will be "more LS" instead of just "more performance."

Looking at what a 750i and S560 costs, Lexus could easily position the LS F against them with a pricing strategy but punch above their weight at S63, S8 and Panamera GTS, etc.

LS 500 starts at $75k. I don't see why this car can't start around $100-110k and appeal to both the "ultra flagship" shopper as well as the high performance shopper.

Such a strategy would eliminate the need for a mid-level LS with a V8.
S
Gecko
We will know about LS F soon enough, but I think Lexus has an opportunity to evolve the F strategy for this car into something that we haven't seen before - and capture both high performance shoppers and those who are looking for - and willing to pay for - "more" in general. I have a feeling that LS F will be the "super LS" that many of us have dreamed of, but not just in the realm of performance.

Will it be fast? Yes. Will it have quad exhaust and the fender vent? Probably. But let's be honest: Lexus' historical approach to F Sport might not work so well on a 5,000 pound, full size luxury sedan. They can't just put aluminum and carbon fiber trim inside a flagship car that costs ~$110k... the audience isn't going to be looking for that.

I am expecting higher end trim options like an open pore black woodgrain with laser etching or aluminum framing, a unique door insert pattern like the pleated one on the kiriko glass optioned interior, more alcantara, a unique steering wheel, etc. etc. I feel like their approach to this car will be "more LS" instead of just "more performance."

Looking at what a 750i and S560 costs, Lexus could easily position the LS F against them with a pricing strategy but punch above their weight at S63, S8 and Panamera GTS, etc.

LS 500 starts at $75k. I don't see why this car can't start around $100-110k and appeal to both the "ultra flagship" shopper as well as the high performance shopper.

Such a strategy would eliminate the need for a mid-level LS with a V8.
Arent most expensive LS500's already pushing $110k?

I think that is the reason they will have both V8 version and LS-F.
S
Gecko
We will know about LS F soon enough, but I think Lexus has an opportunity to evolve the F strategy for this car into something that we haven't seen before - and capture both high performance shoppers and those who are looking for - and willing to pay for - "more" in general. I have a feeling that LS F will be the "super LS" that many of us have dreamed of, but not just in the realm of performance.

Will it be fast? Yes. Will it have quad exhaust and the fender vent? Probably. But let's be honest: Lexus' historical approach to F Sport might not work so well on a 5,000 pound, full size luxury sedan. They can't just put aluminum and carbon fiber trim inside a flagship car that costs ~$110k... the audience isn't going to be looking for that.

I am expecting higher end trim options like an open pore black woodgrain with laser etching or aluminum framing, a unique door insert pattern like the pleated one on the kiriko glass optioned interior, more alcantara, a unique steering wheel, etc. etc. I feel like their approach to this car will be "more LS" instead of just "more performance."

Looking at what a 750i and S560 costs, Lexus could easily position the LS F against them with a pricing strategy but punch above their weight at S63, S8 and Panamera GTS, etc.

LS 500 starts at $75k. I don't see why this car can't start around $100-110k and appeal to both the "ultra flagship" shopper as well as the high performance shopper.

Such a strategy would eliminate the need for a mid-level LS with a V8.
So, a Lexus Maybach. They need something like that.

I don't know if MB still offers non-Maybach V12 S-Class these days. The S65 is discontinued right?
S
ssun30
So, a Lexus Maybach. They need something like that.

I don't know if MB still offers non-Maybach V12 S-Class these days. The S65 is discontinued right?
there was talk already how we are getting a LS with V8 (shown by the end of the year if I remember?), so basically wont be a LS F.
I dont remember what was the name for it, but they did have something specific.

S