The Lexus LS serves up comfort, technology, and elegance as if each were the primary goal. Add to that its exceptional build quality and effortless operation, and it’s easy to see why the LS has become a benchmark of luxury travel. The flagship of the brand since day one, the Lexus LS has faithfully delivered what buyers desire most in a luxury sedan for nearly 30 years.
Enhancements for 2016 include a more convenient infotainment interface and remote access to vehicle operational reports. The existing generation of the LS was introduced as the 2013 model.
The Lexus LS moves with natural serenity, so free of noise and vibration that one wonders if it is really working. The walk is sumptuous. There are 3 driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) that adjust the car’s functionality to your liking, but the differences are sophisticated so as not to interfere with the LS’s luxury mission.
The Lexus LS 460 is powered by a 4. 6-liter V8 with 386 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Takeoffs are sleek and fast, and the LS 460 hits 60 mph in a luxuriously fast 5. 4 seconds.
Even more power hides under the hood of the LS 600h L, namely a 5-liter V8 and a pair of electric motors that in combination produce 438 horsepower for tougher acceleration performance. The hybrid formula uses a frequently variable automatic transmission (CVT). and provides EPA-estimated combined city and highway fuel consumption. As a result, the trunk area suffers.
L models get an additional five-inch wheelbase for freedom to expand in the rear and can be equipped with passenger amenities.
Most drivers will revel in the big sedan’s silky drivability, but for those with sporting bones Lexus offers the LS 460 F Sport.
The Lexus LS competes with the BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The Lexus LS 460 ($72,520) comes with a 4.6-liter V8, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. (All prices are MSRP and do not include destination charge.) The LS comes loaded with leather upholstery, navigation, integrated smartphone apps, driver and passenger memory, satellite and HD radio, and other luxury features.
It has all-wheel drive and comes with a defroster for the windshield wipers and headlight washers.
The LS 460 L ($78,820) rides on a longer wheelbase for more rear-seat space. The L models receive ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power trunk lid, and a power rear sunshade. These features are optional elsewhere in the lineup. The Executive Class Seating package transforms the rear compartment with individual seats, a center console, power side shades, and a video entertainment system. The passenger-side seat features additional massage functions and a power ottoman with an integrated knee airbag.
The LS 460 F Sport has suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, and sport tires.
The LS 600h L ($120,440) uses hybrid gas-electric power and comes standard with all-wheel drive and the Ultra Luxury package.
Options include a 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The Ultra Luxury package furnishes rear seat passengers with a refrigerated compartment, individual climate and audio controls, and power climate-controlled seats with massage function.
Safety features include rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a full complement of airbags. The standard Lexus Safety Connect system provides automatic crash notification, emergency assistance, and a vehicle locator. Optional technology includes blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and a front collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection and automatic braking.
The Lexus LS is a horny luxury sedan. His conservative lines don’t offend anyone. More debatable is the giant hourglass-shaped grille that links it to other Lexus models. It’s distinctive.
As you’d expect in this class, there’s room for five adults and their luggage, and the seats are upholstered in the best leather Lexus has to offer, with contrast stitching.
The setting is sober and finely detailed, yet reassuringly solid. You’ll find a gorgeously rendered wood and leather guide wheel, mirror-like chrome accents, and giant (12. 3-inch) high-resolution screens. Most infotainment functions can be controlled via the Lexus Remote Touch interface, in which the driver uses a touchpad to open menus and make decisions on the central dashboard display. Even soft-close forced doors are standard.
The interior finish is attractive, with fabrics that vary depending on the model. The LS 460 comes with walnut, maple, or dark gray wood trim. The F Sport uses aluminum. The LS 460h has quite bamboo trim. All of them have great leather upholstery.
The LS 600h L’s battery reduces the trunk area to about 10 cubic feet, which is less than what you get in max compacts, reducing it as an airport shuttle.
Lexus LS models across the road on a magic carpet.
The 4. 6-liter V8 is sleek and smoothly propels the giant rear-wheel-drive sedan with its 386 horsepower. The automatic transmission is slightly noticeable when adjusting the gears.
The LS 460 has an EPA rating of 16/24 mpg city/highway, or 19 mpg combined. The LS 460 AWD gets 16/23 mpg, or 18 mpg combined. The LS 600h L has a fuel consumption of 19/23 mpg city/highway, or 20 mpg combined.
Although it generates an increase consistent with EPA ratings, the LS 600h L is not a matter of power consistent with the SE. It’s designed to provide the power and acceleration capability of a turbocharged V8 or V12 without the usual mileage penalty.
The Lexus LS 460 F Sport comes with a sport-tuned air suspension with additional driving modes, firmer steering, performance brakes, larger wheels with summer performance tires, and sportier trim throughout. The F Sport package makes the LS more assertive and responsive in spirited driving, though it doesn’t transform it into a sports sedan. This Lexus is meant to thrill in other ways, like pleasing the senses.
We still can’t be impressed, or even impressed, by the refinement and quality built into the LS. There are no pain points or compromises to think about. While there are plenty of sportier and sexier opportunities in this category, none of them come with luxury car buyers as much as Lexus’ flagship.
Driving impressions through The Car Connection. John Diether contributed to this report.