Lexus LS500/LS500h
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 16,891
Likes: 468
From: Knoxville, TN
Well, I finally saw and sat in one at the dealer today.
I don't really care for the looks of it, it looks smaller in person. I like the futuristic design but there's just something about it that doesn't do it for me.
The interior was amazing, plush, though the cheap seatbelt anchors IDK what they were thinking. Everything else was amazing inside--except the space. The backseat I sat in, it barely has more legroom room than my LS430, let alone a LWB 460. It felt rather cramped back there with the low roofline, too.
I'm sure it's a great car but as of now I don't really aspire to own one someday. A late model 460 whenever my 430 bites the dust (at the end of time?) is looking better and better each day.
I don't really care for the looks of it, it looks smaller in person. I like the futuristic design but there's just something about it that doesn't do it for me.
The interior was amazing, plush, though the cheap seatbelt anchors IDK what they were thinking. Everything else was amazing inside--except the space. The backseat I sat in, it barely has more legroom room than my LS430, let alone a LWB 460. It felt rather cramped back there with the low roofline, too.
I'm sure it's a great car but as of now I don't really aspire to own one someday. A late model 460 whenever my 430 bites the dust (at the end of time?) is looking better and better each day.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: West Coast
I've noticed that despite the reasonable starting price, dealers have all picked up models going for $100K+.
That's gonna be a tough sell when most S-classes at dealers are priced around $110K.
The new LS is very good but in my experience it's not as good as the new S-class, nor does it have the brand recognition of Mercedes.
That's gonna be a tough sell when most S-classes at dealers are priced around $110K.
The new LS is very good but in my experience it's not as good as the new S-class, nor does it have the brand recognition of Mercedes.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 6
From: SG
I've noticed that despite the reasonable starting price, dealers have all picked up models going for $100K+.
That's gonna be a tough sell when most S-classes at dealers are priced around $110K.
The new LS is very good but in my experience it's not as good as the new S-class, nor does it have the brand recognition of Mercedes.
That's gonna be a tough sell when most S-classes at dealers are priced around $110K.
The new LS is very good but in my experience it's not as good as the new S-class, nor does it have the brand recognition of Mercedes.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 16,891
Likes: 468
From: Knoxville, TN
Like I said, in 5 years or so a very late 460 is looking better and better to me.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,097
Likes: 3,871
From: Maryland
I've noticed that despite the reasonable starting price, dealers have all picked up models going for $100K+.
That's gonna be a tough sell when most S-classes at dealers are priced around $110K.
The new LS is very good but in my experience it's not as good as the new S-class, nor does it have the brand recognition of Mercedes.
That's gonna be a tough sell when most S-classes at dealers are priced around $110K.
The new LS is very good but in my experience it's not as good as the new S-class, nor does it have the brand recognition of Mercedes.
Case in point, executive package LS460s. WAY more 2007s of them than any other year. I scoured the country for my LS460L, there were none optioned any higher than mine and my MSRP was $89,400...the 460L topped out around $110k.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,285
Likes: 311
From: ON/NY
Sat in the new LS500 again tonight as well as the new A8 a short time later. Both are nice, but there are completely 180 degree polar opposite experiences. Neither is better IMO. They are just both distinctly different. After trying out the Audi touchscreen, I think Lexus and the touchpad is the wrong direction long term.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: New York
I agree!! Ironically I just seen a video last night on YouTube and that interior looks very cramped! I’m pretty tired myself and just from the looks of the video it looked as if it was cramped is if it was a 2010 GS 350
Dont know if posted but when i was looking for rear seat room specs i came across this review which is well written, thorough and fair. One of its 'likes' is lots of rear seat space.
https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_ls_2018
https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_ls_2018
Last edited by bitkahuna; Feb 22, 2018 at 01:51 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 31
From: Canada
Dont know if posted but when i was looking for rear seat room specs i came across this review which is well written, thorough and fair. One of its 'likes' is lots of rear seat space.
https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_ls_2018
https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_ls_2018
I believe that Lexus needs to produce (if they have not already done so) a short and official technical summary of how the Multi-Stage Hybrid System operates. Use this technical summary in all official communications (including websites) and hide the longer, detailed description, which is harder to understand without some technical knowledge and knowledge of how the Toyota / Lexus hybrid system operates.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 52
From: AZ
I'm 6'2" and did not find the rear seat "cramped". Certainly lot more room than a GS. It does not have as much room as a 460L though, more like the base 460.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
I'm 6'0" and the rear, while adequate, definitely felt more intimate than the rear of the S-Class, 7 Series, G90, A8. Mix of that low-ish roof line and maybe a more angled greenhouse/tumblehome. Foot space under the front seats also seemed quite tight from where I had the seat positioned for myself as a driver.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 0
From: CA
It's a shame that the new LS is so poorly packaged that it offers less rear legroom despite having a longer wheelbase than the outgoing LS460L. Almost all of Lexus's recent new models follow the trend of offering less room in both passenger and in luggage compartments than the competitors' models of the same class. Lexus needs to get the basics right first before going for fluffs like a sleek roofline, super aggressive suspension geometries, etc., or they'll keep losing more and more sensible customers, which constitute the vast majority of the market.
Last edited by ydooby; Feb 22, 2018 at 08:26 AM.