To be clear, there are still controls on the passenger seat for the passenger to make adjustments. What is being discussed here is that the passenger seat controls, shown below, have been removed from the left side of the passenger seat. Those adjustments are now on the driver's door.

 

you are seriously confusing things... people are talking about controlling passenger seat from driver seat, it can be done, with an button on drivers side, which makes sense.

You can control both of them on their own seats of course.

 

spwolf is 100% right. This change is a non-issue.

 

Watching with great interest the flood of user feedback about the 5LS. While i have come around to the styling and accepted the loss of the V8; the tight interior room might be a dealbreaker should it come time to add another LS to the stable.

The LS430 has cavernous headroom and good interior space; the only thing you could possibly complain about is the merely 'good' legroom in the back. i think of the first 4 models it probably has the best packaging.

The 4LSL models have amazing rear legroom; but the front cabin feels a little tighter and the headroom is merely adequate. The trunk is smaller but in IMO the styling gains are worth it.

If the 5LS is even smaller inside I might seriously question why I would buy this car. The 4LS I find hard to park; if the 5LS is even bigger outside but smaller inside it sounds like the wrong combo. Even the Porsche Panamera; with it's weird styling seems to have decent headroom.

I may wander down to the dealer this weekend if I have a few minutes just to sit inside and see for myself. Curious how the TTV6 or Hybrid compare with my 600h because on paper they both outperform it.

There is a rumor that Lexus is working on hybridizing the TTV6. That and some NVH improvements could be a whole new ballgame.

 

On a side note I wonder if the smaller dimensions are somehow dictated by the GA-L platform shared with the LC. Supposedly the TNGA platforms are flexible as far as dimensions but maybe this one has some limitations that dictate a lower height.

 

Different rolling diameter tires and different coil springs lengths can be used to lower/raise the ride height, keeping in mind that the lower the ride height, the shorter the suspension travel; this doesn't affect cabin space at all.

Despite the same TNGA GA-K or GA-L architecture, the cabin height from floor to ceiling can be varied just like the Avalon to the Highlander, or ES to the RX, but here, the 5LS chose to go roughly "half way" between the conventional Mercedes S Class full size luxury sedan, and the sports niche Mercedes AMG GT full size 4 door Grand Coupe.

5LS is one body style, that must fight with two separate Mercedes Benz body styles.

Likewise, BMW have the 7 Series full size luxury sedan, but BMW also has the sporty niche M8 4 door Gran Coupe.
Lexus is out-engined, and out-body styled...

 

Yes the 430 was definitely a top LS. It had a lot of V8 lag I recall. The LS460 was the best riding and the best V8 Lexus had ever. The new LS500 is very detailed inside, more curves around you. Really impressive seats. The dashboard is gorgeous at night. Lots of lights. During the day the dashboard has those cosmetic lines in front of the passenger, pointless. They should have done something, how about a rotating projecting series of mini glove compartments that come out and rotate towards the driver to offer him drinks, pens, etc.

The LS500 is a looker. More than any other LS before it.

After driving the LS500H, with its extreme jerkiness while shifting, I ran to the BMW dealer and tested a 7. The 7 is exactly what the LS500 should have been. 10% sportier than the LS460, super roomy, much longer than any Lexus ever was. Sure footed. The back is positively cavernous. Amazing.

I think Lexus should resurrect the 460. Nothing wrong with it. A lot of old men driving it, and they won't like the LS500. The LS500 feels like a GS riding on air. You can feel the road perfectly...all the time. For us LS people it is quite the bronco, A little TMI (too much information.)

But the shifting is perfect, smooth on the LS500. Now I also drove an LS500 Sport and yes, against my instincts, I had the same fun as driving the LS500 as I did the GS. But inside the LS 500 is much larger than the GS.

Will old men like the TMI? Will younger men like the bounciness of the LS500?

The LS500 is much noisier than the LS460. And the V6 announces itself. It has a new feeling all of its own. In a good way. It is the perfect place between the BMW 7 and the GS. The LS460 being smoother than the BMW 7.

Don't forget the LS500 hauls ***.

I think Lexus took a large risk on the LS500. I suggest they put an option button to soften or mimic the LS500 ride to 460 feeling. And keep the 460 for loyals. Today my preference would be:

1) LS460 -- so comfortable
2) GS350 -- fun
3) BMW 7 -- just right
4) LS500 -- fun but large, a "new" feeling. TMI. Beautiful. Angrily powerful, the G's gave me a headache.

The 7 is more expensive than the LS500, and the BMW leases suck,

I'm going for the LS500. There is no other choice. Hoping I get to like the fun aspect of it. I really like the GS but it is small when you sit in it. And the LS500 is large enough for me to wonder if it will be fun to drive energetically or if it will feel out of control, like too noisy and too jumpy. Sometimes one needs to get used to a new car model. Not from the 400 to 430 to 460, all great. This 500 is new. I think it will be well reviewed by pros, except for the electronics.

100) On 100th place, the LS500H

 

 

OK got it. The salesman told me. Looked wider.

 

 

Exactly. Lexus chose a compromise and is gambling on younger buyers, while the Germans simply used their platforms to spin off variations to cover off the segments. As the pics show, Benz knows how to create a sleek formal roofline car that fits its buyer demographic. BMW can do the same. Lexus chose a path and now it will live it for the next two to four years. If you want a sleek coupe like profile you just go and buy the LC.

 

I looked up the 7 and it sure looks like the white one

 

 

Drove the 500 this afternoon. Compared to my Audi S8 I was underwhelmed to say the least. Didn't like the interior, and performance wise it wasn't near the car my 3 year old Audi is.