Reviews: The Fifth Generation (XF50) Lexus LS

[Black Dynamite!]

Seems to me Motor Trend was very fair with the Lexus, and if they got a $85k fleet copy, not a loaded-to-the-tits example, it might've won.
No V6 is worth $100k, so it was fighting with one arm tied behind its back. For the size of it, its back seat should be bigger, and it weighs more than a comparable S-Class, which again, with a V6, ain't gonna git it! And the infotainment......

It's a solid triple, but not going dethrone the S-Class anytime soon. Maybe Lexus was wise not to even try......
BD

 

[Levi]

Fair to complain about lack of rear seat room, but then the same complaint should be made for every other car that is more than 4.5 m.

 

[LDeleuran]

That is something I don't quite understand. The new LS is longer than the previous LWB LS, and yet, now there is a lack of space in the back!?


And regarding the infotainment. It seems like an easy cop-out to simply dismiss it as "unintuitive", "hard to use", "poor graphics", etc. I would really like to know exactly what it is that is unintuitive. This should be easy: If a grouping of menues is unintuitive, then give us an example of this. Give us an example of what they find hard to use. Which graphics are lacking? Icons? Map displays? Transitions? Did the reviewer adjust the input settings? Are they automatically adjusted by the system? I don't want to know that a system is bad, I want to know why. Whe else waste the time on reviewing a car when you don't want to go in depth?

 

[zeusus]

True, and I cant fathom why someone wants to be seen in an F-sport looking like some kind of race-car when actually what they are driving is a comfortable and slightly under-performing normal car. Lexus should focus on being elegant and solid, and not so pathetically "sporty".

Lol, are you trolling or delusional? I don't know a single soul that desires to have a "slightly under-performing normal car" in this segment. :joy:

Is that why F-sport variants are getting huge chunks of the overall sales per model?

In the end, that is the big difference between you, a single consumer, vs. an actual marketer who studies trends and what people want.

 

[krew]

Lol, are you trolling or delusional? I don't know a single soul that desires to have a "slightly under-performing normal car" in this segment. :joy:

Is that why F-sport variants are getting huge chunks of the overall sales per model?

In the end, that is the big difference between you, a single consumer, vs. an actual marketer who studies trends and what people want.

Nouvel is no longer on the forum because of his trolling.

 

[bogglo]

"Our test car’s air suspension sorted out big bumps but struggled with small, high-frequency bumps such as the Botts’ dots that line California lanes. “We’re on pretty new pavement here, and I’m still getting lots of small vibrations from all the little bumps in the road you can’t see from the driver’s seat,” Evans said."

I think This is due to the Tire choice Lexus went with. They should have find a way to include a spare tire to eradicate the use of runflats. Am sure a Tire Update to that LS will produce a different result in all aspect of the driving review.

 

[LarryT]

Every Lexus is better looking in non F-sport versions.

I respectfully disagree! The LS 500 F Sport variant looks great just like the standard LS 500, but why is one half of the F Sport exterior trim (window, rear lights & side mirrors) chrome while the other half (grille frame, rocker trim & trunk lip molding ) plated black? IMO, this somewhat ruins the overall appearance of the F Sport unless you choose Obsidian or Caviar as an exterior color.

Also, I like the F Sport front fascia better, as the lower grill intakes match the main grill unlike the standard LS 500 contrasting plastic lower grill intakes which make the front end look less refined.

 

[mikeavelli]

I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.

These excerpts from the Motor Trend comparison answer your comments and objections:

I still don't understand the logic. The Continental is big for its size but it is nowhere near a flagship. It STARTS at $45,000 and most are around $60,000 with the upper end trim. Should we include the XTS too?

 

[Ian Schmidt]

I gotta agree, the Conti is clearly outclassed in that comparison. And there is no American-made LS/7/S-Class competitor, which kind of blows up MT's concept. The Model S dropped any pretense at luxury when they deleted ventilated seats, which for my money are the defining luxury feature of the late 2000s.

 

[zeusus]

I do think back seat room isn't as amazing as one would think. That is my personal feelings having sat in the car.

Well seems like the rumors from a few years ago came true. Lexus took a "panamera competitor" approach to the LS. Looks sporty, drives sporty, rear seating space reduced, low roof line.

 

[Tragic Bronson]

... Representing the stars and stripes is the 2017 Lincoln Continental AWD Black Label 3.0. Wait, you say, why isn’t the California-born and -bred Tesla Model S the American pick? After all, it is far and away the best-seller in this segment—it even outsells the Mercedes S-Class—so we reasoned we’d hold it back for a future test with this comparison’s winner and the S-Class. As for the “other” big American luxury car, the Cadillac CT6, well, it’s unimpressive, finishing third to the Mercedes E-Class and Volvo S90 in its last comparison. With no major changes to the CT6 since then, we thought we’d give the Continental, a proper flagship for the Lincoln lineup, its shot at glory.

Old money prefers traditional luxury nameplates, while "new money" folks AKA tech guys and younger executives have flocked to Tesla.

 

[DDas]

ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.

 

[Tragic Bronson]

ew no, no, no. The LS and 7 Series should never be near a Genesis and a Lincoln.

Too late...Lexus allowed MT to test the car against its competitors and this is what happened. As long as it sells, any news is good news?

 

[momers]

Hi Guys,

And in a Head 2 Head at MT (YouTube: 2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs. 2018 Lexus LC 500 - Head 2 Head Ep. 96), despite being almost a 100K cheaper, and at par or better than the competition, the Lexus (the LC 500) STILL doesn't win over the Aston Martin DB11!

How come Lexus never wins at MT!? This review for me was another surprising conclusion. Just when you think MT would tip in favour of the Lexus!

 

[LDeleuran]

I wouldn't say never. Remember when the NX won against its competition:

https://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/03...or-trend-luxury-compact-crossover-comparison/

This latest Head2Head, however, is really wonky. How can the styling of the LC500 not be quite there!? It seems like the LC is ahead in pretty much every aspect... but it has the wrong badge?

 

[zeusus]

Hi Guys,

And in a Head 2 Head at MT (YouTube: 2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs. 2018 Lexus LC 500 - Head 2 Head Ep. 96), despite being almost a 100K cheaper, and at par or better than the competition, the Lexus (the LC 500) STILL doesn't win over the Aston Martin DB11!

How come Lexus never wins at MT!? This review for me was another surprising conclusion. Just when you think MT would tip in favour of the Lexus!

Yea they apparently had a hard time deciding which was the winner but they wore their bias like a romper.

They specifically said the LC was the more 'balanced' car, the better 'drivers' car and the Aston Martin was a better road car whereas the LC performed better on the track. They specifically stated they were NOT considering price (even though there is a clear 100k+ difference) and gave it to the AM for the sole reason that it was a better road car and in the GT category. To be honest, they couldn't just say no to the badge. The badge won the review but the LC won the real test that day.

If anybody watched that video and did not watch the conclusion, I think 90% would assume the LC won. Take a look at the comments, overwhelming positive remarks for the LC over the DB. No question in my mind Lexus made a great decision with the LC, it brought them so much street cred in terms of sex appeal.

See for yourself folks

 

[maiaramdan]

This head 2 head is a clear indication that Lexus still not premium as Europeans, just not yet as Toyoda San want

 

[Levi]

Europeans are greater badge whores than Americans.

 

[zeusus]

This head 2 head is a clear indication that Lexus still not premium as Europeans, just not yet as Toyoda San want

Your deduction is flawed.

This review was all about perception and the fact that a Lexus literally won the review but lost the brand battle to a AM DB11 which is $100k+ more expensive. That is a clear indication that Lexus is closer than they've ever been to European premium reputation.

 

[Alexander Li]

At least we can the GAL in action with this car. It did VERY well on the MT figure eight and nearly ties the 1 ton lighter Lexus GS 350 F sport in that measure. I'm just disappointed that they couldn't get RWD press cars.