Lexus LS 500 Contends for Automobile All-Stars Awards

spwolf

generally speaking on average, Lexus has considerably less incentives as track by industry compared to BMW and MB - which have highest discount rates.

Honestly, I could care less about how much Mercedes and BMW discount their cars because it is not a true indicator of their desirability. Many sales are done because of the deal a buyer gets (YMMV). I wonder if the LS had some nice deep incentives from the factory...those are reasons why sales can spike, artificial or not. Lexus doesn't have the variety of configurations that ze Germans have.

Ian Schmidt

Ehhh, there's more to life than straight lines. Drive the LS500 somewhere curvy, it's a lovely car to go too fast around turns in.

Do you think it will be worth to switch from V8 5.0l NA GSF with rear wheel steering to a TTV6 3.5l LS f sport ?

^They are very different cars... hard to compare them. GS F is my favorite car I've ever driven, however :)

@Gecko

I know I meant to say that the GS is better than the LS in every aspect not only straight line or torque or hp but also in corners

Honestly it's strange to find the flagship has no V8 and the mid size has it

Still totally different. I doubt most folks looking at one would look at the other. GS F is raw, loud and visceral. LS is removed, refined and serene.

LS interior is on a different level also.

I'd still pick a GS F, but I don't think there is much overlap between the shoppers.

I am not saying about overlap
I am saying, if they want to delete the GSF they need to make something else to replace it, secondly they need to know that the V8 is Synonymous with the LS

Tragic Bronson

Honestly, I could care less about how much Mercedes and BMW discount their cars because it is not a true indicator of their desirability. Many sales are done because of the deal a buyer gets (YMMV). I wonder if the LS had some nice deep incentives from the factory...those are reasons why sales can spike, artificial or not. Lexus doesn't have the variety of configurations that ze Germans have.

Sales spiked because new model was introduced compared to 12 months ago, that is how it works.

And LS does not operate in vacuum... it is cross-shopped by customers and if Germans offer bigger/better deal then a number of customers will switch. So sure, LS has incentives, and competition has bigger incentives.

Berto3818

@momers it has plenty of legroom and plenty of power. They V6 is much better than the V8.

In my test drive I was sold! I have no issues with a V6 or headroom, though yeah, the car was a little compact in the rear.

Finally seen a few driven around, it is a looker, grabs your attention.....

FYI: I mentioned a peeve earlier that the LS500's safety system would go nuts about things in front of you when the car was in reverse. That's now been fixed by a service campaign to update the safety system software. Very nice!

spwolf

Sales spiked because new model was introduced compared to 12 months ago, that is how it works.

And LS does not operate in vacuum... it is cross-shopped by customers and if Germans offer bigger/better deal then a number of customers will switch. So sure, LS has incentives, and competition has bigger incentives.

The German cars have a huge list of optional extras, such that the Germans are able to give incredible discounts to lure buyers, while Lexus often has most equipment standard in their already great value for money packages, such that Lexus can't give huge discounts.

Eg, my next door neighbor purchased an optioned up $116,500 Benz for just $95,000 brand new.

Ian Schmidt

FYI: I mentioned a peeve earlier that the LS500's safety system would go nuts about things in front of you when the car was in reverse. That's now been fixed by a service campaign to update the safety system software. Very nice!

This is just one example how car manufacturers are detached from common sense when it comes to driver technology interface. Pick any manufacturer they all behave the same. Since the very first days of both front and back sensors it has always bothered me why would sensors even beep when car is in N or not moving if you are close to the obstacle. It's OK to beep few times after you start the car to let you know it's there but all the time while you are sitting in it is ridiculous. Especially if you are moving away from the obstacle with steering wheel set straight. If you have something in front of you like branches its normal that front sensors would beep but if you are backing away from it with steering wheel being dead center there is absolutely no reason for front sensors to go nuts.

mediumhot

This is just one example how car manufacturers are detached from common sense when it comes to driver technology interface. Pick any manufacturer they all behave the same.

I hear ya, and I agree 100%. I'm also very happy that Lexus finally addressed the issue.

The Lexus LS 500 Is What a Japanese Luxury Sedan Should Be

2019 Automobile All-Stars contender.

When Lexus launched the original LS in 1989, carrying sedate styling while providing a Japanese interpretation of the Mercedes S-class experience for E-class money, restraint was the theme. Jump ahead 30 years, and lavish SUVs are cannibalizing luxury sedan sales. Clearly, radical change was needed, and the new LS500 delivers transformation in spades.

“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.

Speaking of, the provocative cabin sparked controversy thanks to its distinctive mix of Kiriko glass and origami-style, hand-pleated door panels. “What an exciting, beautiful, modern interior—very unexpected,” contributor Ronald Ahrens noted. Added executive editor Mac Morrison, “I am absolutely a fan of the cabin treatment. Different and cool.”

Others were less impressed. “Inside, never has such a collection of well-thought-out materials and design components come off as so chintzy,” daily new editor Conner Golden said. Editor-at-large Arthur St. Antoine piled on: “I wouldn’t be able to put up with that bejeweled interior trim without gagging.” Its interior stylings are clearly a matter of taste—and part of a $23,100 interior package if it isn’t yours.

One cabin feature you’re stuck with, though, is the infotainment system, which received a proper flogging from editors. “The interface’s twitchy mouse is a big miss,” contributor Basem Wasef noted. (Morrison said the same thing—until he figured out how to change the touchpad’s reaction speed in the settings menu.)

Although Bovingdon also had his issues with the controls, he found a lot to like about the LS: “Of course the touchpad system is truly, truly hateful, and I could easily see why that might be a deal breaker, but the rest of the car has a charm and character about it I really enjoyed. It’s a cool object, the LS, and a quality item.”

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/2018-lexus-ls500-2019-automobile-all-stars-contender/

Lexus LS 500 Contends in Automobile All-Stars Awards

Respect for the flagship.

View the original article post

I’m sick of hearing that the 5LS isn’t on par with the sclass when it truly is,

I'd put it as "the S Class is different, not necessarily better". It's closer to the 3LS ideal of wafting down the road on a cloud than either the 4LS or the current LS (or any generation of the 7 Series), but I'm okay with the LS's tradeoffs.

@Ian Schmidt the new one is more dynamic I think.. more power, agility you name it. While still retaining the old 3,4,LS traits. I have never been a fan of the sclass. Nice car yes but I think the LS is much better. speaking of which I need to get my build date!!!

Even in it's old(er) age, S Class is still a wonderful car. The new LS is more athletic, but there are some key areas where the Mercedes is still ahead: infotainment, customization, engines, safety technology, overall luxury options.

As Ian mentioned above, the S Class and LS are more different now than they've ever been. Historically, they've both been using the same formula but Lexus changed direction a bit with the 5LS, while Mercedes has stayed true to the mission.

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.

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.

True. Both are in a different league compared to others.

Gecko

Even in it's old(er) age, S Class is still a wonderful car. The new LS is more athletic, but there are some key areas where the Mercedes is still ahead: infotainment, customization, engines, safety technology, overall luxury options.

As Ian mentioned above, the S Class and LS are more different now than they've ever been. Historically, they've both been using the same formula but Lexus changed direction a bit with the 5LS, while Mercedes has stayed true to the mission.

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.

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 :/

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 :/

Are any millennials fawning over flagship luxury sedans? I don't think so, personally. LS is definitely the most dynamic looking though.

Gecko

Are any millennials fawning over flagship luxury sedans? I don't think so, personally. LS is definitely the most dynamic looking though.

I meant that LS A8 7-Series are more aggressive and better looking. I don't know about US but in Europe (EU) MB is not sexy.

flexus

I meant that LS A8 7-Series are more aggressive and better looking. I don't know about US but in Europe (EU) MB is not sexy.

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.


Wildcard: I just saw my first refreshed CT6 on the road this week, and WOW. That really is a good looking car from the outside. It's a shame that it's headed out to pasture.

In my direct experience, techie lust for Tesla cooled off quite a bit after Autopilot started going all Christine on people. Then many techies realized "it's run by software just like I write...oh f**k...get it away from me!"

Gecko

Wildcard: I just saw my first refreshed CT6 on the road this week, and WOW. That really is a good looking car from the outside. It's a shame that it's headed out to pasture.

Cadillac CT6 is getting something of a reprieve. It and the Chevy Impala will see an extended manufacturing run until January 2020, and the order books have even been reopened on the tantalizing CT6-V (albeit at a price thousands of dollars higher than the first 250 or so hand-raisers).

Cadillac also has to manufacture its next-gen RWD sedans (CT4 and CT5) somewhere. I have a perhaps naïve gut feeling that CT6 may see an 11th-hour reprieve, with its production moved either under the same roof as the new sedans or perhaps imported from China if some sort of tariffs and trade accord is reached between President Trump and China.

To be clear, here is your XJ buyer:

Gecko

To be clear, here is your XJ buyer:

Had a good morning laugh :D

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 :/

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.

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.

I could bet that models attracting younger buyers are coupes and SUV. Not C or E.