LS Road Test: Lexus LS 600 hL Video

[Bruce]

I ain't gonna defend Lexus, but this part:

-Cheap interior materials / poor interior ergonomics

Are we so sure about that? C'mon, leave the bashings aside, i don't believe this... It's their top model after all...

I've got to agree man, I don't agree with that. I've been up close with the LS many times and I have never seen any issues with the interior. I'm not saying Lexus is perferct because they aren't and I'll openly admit the IS and GS interiors are far from perfect (especially when it comes to quality)

But on the LS

Nonetheless, thanks Wimmer.

 

[Merc1]

I agree the, cheap interior materials part is a little bit much, but, but, but this car clearly isn't a S600 competitor in fact it barely outdoes the S550. I'd call it hype, smoke and mirrors, or just plain not accomplishing the objectives stated by the over amped marketing department.

M

 

[Merc1]

The 600h's other competitors all boast more juice-450 horses for the Audi A8 L W12 Quattro, 510 for the Mercedes S600, and 552 for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur-but none, including the BMW, can sip a Lexus-like 21 combined mpg. Even the 19 mpg we observed during our stint humbles the others' combined average of 16 mpg. Also of note is the 600h's SULEV rating, which, according to Lexus, means its emissions are 70 percent cleaner than that of its greenest competitor, the ULEV S600.

Cont....

Where the LS 600h L will undoubtedly fare favorably, though, is on the wallet. Lexus's high-heeled hybrid starts at $104,715, well below its rivals, the nearest of which, the Audi, retails for just under $122,000. Lexus offers a full bevy of options, notably the advanced precollision system and an executive-class package that adds massage and recline features to the right rear seat, so expect fully loaded example to come in several thousand higher. A new stratosphere for Lexus, certainly, but to reach new customers the 600h must not only be a marvel of technology, refinement, and performance, but also price. In light of its competition, it's a deal. Going green never required so much green, but, hey, at least the badges are blue.

2008 Lexus LS 600h L - First Test - Motor Trend

The car might not match the S600, but it is really starting to look awfully good in photos, much better than the LS460L. Don't know why since they're the same body, maybe it is the wheels?

M

 

[YoUhimhER]

the interior material used in lexus LS ain't cheap, but if u put it next to a8, 7er, s-class, i, for one will not consider them to be in the same class.

oh and what is with 200kg load capacity? does that mean it can't sit four 60kg ppl??!!

 

[Mr. M]

We get those wheels on a 460 here.

The LS600h's best strength is its price in the midst of its V12 rivals.

BTW, I think this is Lexus's first V12?

 

[Mr. M]

Agreed Marcus.

 

[Merc1]

Actually its a V8 + batteries for what they say is V12 performance. True when compared to Audi and BMW, but not Mercedes' V12.

M

 

[Mr. M]

Actually its a V8 + batteries for what they say is V12 performance. True when compared to Audi and BMW, but not Mercedes' V12.

M

Thanks Marcus - I gave the article a miss.

 

[bmer]

Actually its a V8 + batteries for what they say is V12 performance. True when compared to Audi and BMW, but not Mercedes' V12.

But the Merc is also the only turbocharged car out of these four.

 

[Mr. M]

But the Merc is also the only turbocharged car out of these four.

No compromises when you have the money to pay for it.

 

[ateekt]

Even if, everything stated up there is right, LS is gonna be a big "hit" ...!

No doubt, it is the "best" luxury sedan ever from Japan ...!

 

[ateekt]

Beautiful sedan & a great buy for bucks ...!

I think, comparing it with high-end German sedan is not fair, leave her alone ...!

 

[Bruce]

Beautiful vehicle.

 

[cawimmer430]

I ain't gonna defend Lexus, but this part:

-Cheap interior materials / poor interior ergonomics

Are we so sure about that? C'mon, leave the bashings aside, i don't believe this... It's their top model after all...

I didn't make that up if that's what you're implying. AMS said that they found the interior rather plasticky and it just didn't have an elegant feel to it.

I've sat in the LS460 at the local Toyota-Lexus dealership, but I sadly was not allowed to take pictures of the car. The interior is good, but it just doesn't feel as high quality as that of the Audi A8's or Mercedes S-Class. Design wise, it has a very "Japanese look" to it, which is fine, but the people in this class want Elegance and the Lexus LS460 interior just doesn't have that IMHO. AMS probably felt the same way.

 

[cawimmer430]

the interior material used in lexus LS ain't cheap, but if u put it next to a8, 7er, s-class, i, for one will not consider them to be in the same class.

oh and what is with 200kg load capacity? does that mean it can't sit four 60kg ppl??!!

This is exactly how I feel. It's a good interior, but place it next to the Germans, especially the A8 and S-Class, it comes across as lacking something.

Load capacity refers to how much extra weight the car can carry. 200 kg basically means you can carry two average adults of 80-85 kg each and perhaps a woman's purse in the trunk!

 

[Mr Robert]

-Extremely poor load capacity (200 kg!!!)

This meaning you can't bring three fully grown men along in this car? But rather just two, and their spare eating sticks?

 

[cawimmer430]

This meaning you can't bring three fully grown men along in this car? But rather just two, and their spare eating sticks?

Yes, exactly. Three average adults are still possible perhaps, but four is approaching the limit. Even if you can sit four average weight adults in this car, the question remains as to what to do with their luggage if they have any. This is a major drawback for the Lexus LS600h.

 

[Mr Robert]

Yes, exactly. Three average adults are still possible perhaps, but four is approaching the limit. Even if you can sit four average weight adults in this car, the question remains as to what to do with their luggage if they have any. This is a major drawback for the Lexus LS600h.

I think four grown ups in a LS600h is to much. If maximum load is 200 kg then in order to carry four people the three persons except the driver must weight less than 66 kg and carry no luggage. Weak. Or, is this a womans car?

 

[Mr. M]

Yes, exactly. Three average adults are still possible perhaps, but four is approaching the limit. Even if you can sit four average weight adults in this car, the question remains as to what to do with their luggage if they have any. This is a major drawback for the Lexus LS600h.

This fact still astounds me. How can such an elaborate carmaker with needle-like precision in their work forget something as important as this? I don't see anyone else complaining except German magazines though. Now if this fact were made known to the world, then LS sales are in serious trouble if you ask me.

 

[bmer]

Are you absolutely sure the load capacity includes the passengers? Perhaps it means that the max load in the trunk is 200 kg? That would make more sense...