I love my 09 460swb but I am considering buying a 08 600hL. I was wondering if any 600hL owners could compare the two and whether the drive is similar to my swb with air suspension. I am really wondering if the extra 5 inches and extra weight the 600 has with its batteries makes a big difference in the way it drives. My car is pretty soft and I am hoping the 600 is not any softer. I can't really test drive it because it is not really close to me. anyone ever drive both?

The other thing that I am questioning is the trunk space. I had the seller take pictures and I can't really tell how small it is. I have a 2 and a 4 year old so I need room for a decent sized stroller and other stuff to fit back there. My 460 has a very large trunk since I don't have the rear seat upgrade. Can anyone give any insight into this?

Lastly, is there any issues with the 600 that I should be aware of? I know all of the 460 issues and I assume they apply but are there any others that apply solely to the 600?

 

Moving from a standard LS460 to a fully loaded 600hL would be heaven. Since the 600hL has air suspension, you have 3 choices, Comfort/Normal/Sport depending on what you want, each mode will have different suspension hardness. For the extra length, it goes all to the back legroom which makes the rear more roomy, and I love the solid look of long sedans. For the battery, it makes huge impact on fuel consumption 'cuz within 40mph, only the electronic motors work and the gasoline engine shut down. The 600hs are economic comparing to other 5.0L engines. The hybrid battery also makes no noise when starting the vehicle, imagine just a push of the Start button and go, no noise or vibration.

For the trunk space, it's very limited since there is the hybrid battery, meaning that you'll have to leave out some of the stuff.

The only problem with LS600hLs is the hybrid battery, several battery issues have been reported here, you can search it.

 

Without offense to any 600 owners, I can't imagine why anyone would want one. IMO you'd be far better off with a 460L to get the air suspension and longer wheelbase - without all the added clutter and weight.

 

try driving one -- it's amazing. infinite-seeming reserves of torque.

 

The 600 I would imagine is softer. The weight and power balance out its a heavy car either way the added power just makes it seem as if it wasnt there. 460 and 600 have similar 0-60 times. Only negative in my opinion is the tiny miniscule trunk size when I compared to a 460. Other than that the exclusivity alone outweighs anything else

 

Is it true that combined MPGs is only 2mpg better than a non hybrid? Perhaps real owners can testify

 

i'm averaging 21-23 mpg. my commute is usually stop and go for 50 miles total/day

 

I really don't have a good reason for buying it but I kind of want it. My wife and I are not that tall and my kids are still in car seats so it really isn't the leg room. I do like that all of the 600's have rear seat entertainment, power side window shades and radar cruise. We are pretty close on the price and my trade in so I guess we will see. The dealer sent me pics and measurements of the trunk and I think I can live with it but pics can be deceiving. If I don't get it oh well, I love my current car. I guess I am just bored a little and want something new to drive.

 

From what I read and seen online the mpg is actually worse by 2-4 mpg with the hybrid compared to the 460L.

 

Worse is not true. I drive 80% city and average 19.5. My job and school is 10 minutes away so its not even enough to get warmed up. If I had a 460 I would get 16 at best ave so 3 mpgs higher about I would say but I could still pull up on anyone and say I drive a 100k car not a 70k one. Thats what its all about

 

I do a lot of city driving in Houston traffic, and lots of 2 mile trips to my kids' school, and I never get as low as 16 MPG. I think 18 is at low as it gets.

I've never driven a 600 so I am shooting from the hip...but to me, the 460 is already complicated enough. Adding all the electric goo-goo is just begging for a love-hate relationship with your dealer.

As for impressing people....I've found that very few people even discern that the 460 I drive is an 80K car so I doubt they would be swayed by an extra $20K.

 

just the headlights alone are worth the price difference

 

^^ For the coolness factor I agree, however for actual lighting owners on here have said that they are actually worse.

 

Pat, at least get the 2010+ , because the instrument panel is totally different from the regular LS460. That itself to me is why i am leaning toward the 600hl in the near future.

 

i get 21-24 mixed city and highway. I've never ended a tank at 16 and im heavy footed with 22s. the worst it gets for me is 18 mpg so if you're averaging 19.5 then i would conclude that it's not as good as 460.