Lexus Ls 500

Lexus Ls 500 – 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport: Midsize The new LS poses no threat to its German rival in the full-size luxury segment.

Luxury automakers are in a difficult situation. There’s the Germans at the top, and then there’s products from all the other countries – America, Japan, Sweden, etc. – at the bottom. It was that way until the Lexus LS appeared nearly 30 years ago, threatening to knock Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi out of their seats.

Lexus Ls 500

After five generations of the LS, its sole purpose is to compete with the world’s leading luxury sedans. The latest version, represented by the 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport, can’t crack the lineup like the first-generation LS did in the late ’80s. Far from it, really.

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The Lexus LS currently ranks lower than its German competitors, but still higher than its Japanese and American rivals. Its prices, too, start below the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, all of which are direct competitors, but are higher than full-size sedans from Acura, Lincoln and Cadillac. .

The base price of the LS 500 is $75,000, but this F Sport model starts at $81,000. Our tester was a rear-wheel-drive F Sport, although the LS version comes with all-wheel drive for an additional $3,220.

Because large German luxury sedans are expensive and their prices rise rapidly with added options, the LS 500 deserves top marks in this category.

Lexus designed the new LS to incorporate all of the brand’s current language to the Nth degree. The large painted grille, Nike “Swoosh” lights, and LFA-style taillights all make the new LS look aggressive and My overall impression seemed far removed from what older, older clients were willing to experience. alike. Does it attract new customers? Perhaps, but perhaps at the expense of its existing loyal customer base. It’s true that this is a more refined F Sport, but all LS models have the same basic styling. It scores high on originality but not on overall beauty.

Lexus Ls 500 F Sport Review: Japanese Autobahn Destroyer

There’s one particular element in the LS 500’s design that caught my eye like nails on a chalkboard: the trio of C-pillars. There’s a bar for the rear passenger window cutout so it can be raised up. and down, one for the rear door trim and then the actual pillar of the body frame that separates the side windows from the rear window. Take a look at any large sedan and it’s usually more elegantly designed and built than this one.

At least the LS 500’s styling serves its purpose as a large sedan. The wheelbase is long, providing plenty of legroom, and the roof extends far beyond where the rear passenger’s peak requires that height. The trunk can also hold several sets of golf clubs, and has room to store sailboat parts.

The LS 500 scores above average for interior design and options, but that score is still a point or two lower than what we rated the S-Class, 7 Series and A8. The dashboard layout is interesting and there are many areas and creative tools to explore, but overall they don’t meet the high standards of design and construction set by the Germans.

For example, the digital clock screen behind the steering wheel is too small. There’s only one digital dial with small displays on both sides. In this F Sport model, the central clock screen is actually inspired by the LFA supercar. Its user interface and animations are attractive but the top area provides plenty of space to convey important information. On the other hand, the Audi A8 offers a large screen behind the steering wheel, on which gauges, maps and all sorts of related information are displayed in a beautifully integrated manner.

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However, LS is an open, comfortable place with an interior that resembles a tomb. It still does everything well, but again, the Germans do it a little better. Because this is an F Sport, the bolstered front sport seats aren’t designed to provide as much comfort as they do for active driving, which makes long trips in this LS trim less enjoyable. taste too.

OH! That’s a tough score for such an expensive sedan, but what do you expect when it’s 2018 and your car still doesn’t have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s coming, Lexus says, but not soon. Additionally, as is the case with all Lexus vehicles, the LS 500’s infotainment system failed. The mouse-like input control in the middle of the panel is a terrible use of the system, and its speed and graphics feel a generation old. This is an area where Lexus needs to find its way quickly; Its competition, literally every other competitor, kills in this regard.

The LS 500 offers a leading technology: a 24-inch head-up display. Standing a solid 2 feet tall, the HUD extends below the windshield like a big-screen TV floating in your field of vision. Most of it washed out when I wore polarized sunglasses, but that’s a common problem with HUDs in general.

However, other than that, I’m a bit disappointed that the LS 500 doesn’t offer any interesting and surprising features. Mercedes can emit a sweet smell through the air vents, BMW has a smart key with a screen, and Audi offers OLED taillights with additional bright screens. Unfortunately, there are no interesting or advanced features available in the LS.

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This is the F Sport version of the LS 500, displaying a certain level of sportiness, but to be honest it’s mostly aggressive. Lexus says the F Sport model adds features like a specially tuned suspension, larger brakes and more powerful brake pads. Those, combined with the well-bolstered sport seats, make the F Sport feel sportier than the regular LS. But don’t mistake the F Sport for a performance car on par with a Mercedes-AMG, a BMW M or even an Audi S. Those cars are a step up from luxury sedans in terms of performance. Instead, the F Sport is more of a well-designed appearance package.

The F Sport model’s engine is the same twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 used in all LS 500 models. It makes 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, driven Driven through a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s a good engine with plenty of power in all conditions, but it’s not a great engine.

As expected, the LS 500 offers a full suite of advanced active and passive safety features, many of which come standard. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control all come at a cost, while the Lexus Safety System+ A special package Specially provided with an additional 3,000 USD to improve the itinerary. adaptive cruise control, including a forward cross-traffic alert system, and other minor improvements. Overall, however, it’s not really worth the extra money as the standard safety features are already more than adequate.

First fuel is required to power the Lexus LS 500 and it achieves 19 miles per gallon in the city, 30 miles on the highway and 23 miles combined. It’s really impressive for a car this size to get up to 30 mpg, although I didn’t get there in a week of mixed driving. As an F Sport model, my left leg was a bit heavy that week.

Lexus Ls 500: Lexus’s Flagship Is An Artful Asian Interpretation Of The Modern Luxury Sedan

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