So what gives? Lexus listened. They refined the interior, made the 500 sportier, which also meant reducing interior and exterior dimensions for it to drive less like a boat. Now, people are unhappy. We kind of, sort of, did this to ourselves with the incessant complaining, from both Lexus LS owners and from wannabes. Now we don’t like the final product? And don’t forget we don’t want to pay S Class, A8, BMW 7 money, yet we want a car that matches the S-Class? Let’s all get real about this ridiculous perception of reality. This proves true with everyone drooling over the less expensive Genesis G90, which is a car with no personality of its own. I don’t blame Lexus, as referenced to in some of the replies to my original post, for entering this polarizing niche in the market. If they made the car like an S-Class or 7-Series and charged us for it, we’d be outraged. Let’s be real. Has anyone seen the list of standard features on the LS? I priced the LS 500 I wanted with plenty of features at 85k; the same list of features on the S-Class was 115k. Lexus has placed itself into a niche market, but the value quotient for the quality car we’ve all come to love is undeniable.

Very compellingly point of view. This is clearly a departure from what the Lexus LS was. Clearly Lexus has been making their products more polarizing as of late. Perhaps the crys of consumers and car reviewers about the Lexus brand, especially the 460, being ‘boring’ and ‘for old people’ pushed Lexus into this new attempt to attract a different demographic of consumer. I actually like the understated, ‘old person’ look of flagship vehicles, but one would only need to scour the LS460 forum here in Club Lexus for five minutes to read the disparaging comments about how old the Lexus LS looked and that Lexus was missing the boat when it came to attracting the younger, sports-enthused consumer. Now, I’ve looked at plenty of S-Class cars before deciding on my 17 LS. S-Class is boring too. Powerful engine and great technology but also boring as heck too. So what gives? Lexus listened. They refined the interior, made the 500 sportier, which also meant reducing interior and exterior dimensions for it to drive less like a boat. Now, people are unhappy. We kind of, sort of, did this to ourselves with the incessant complaining, from both Lexus LS owners and from wannabes. Now we don’t like the final product? And don’t forget we don’t want to pay S Class, A8, BMW 7 money, yet we want a car that matches the S-Class? Let’s all get real about this ridiculous perception of reality. This proves true with everyone drooling over the less expensive Genesis G90, which is a car with no personality of its own. I don’t blame Lexus, as referenced to in some of the replies to my original post, for entering this polarizing niche in the market. If they made the car like an S-Class or 7-Series and charged us for it, we’d be outraged. Let’s be real. Has anyone seen the list of standard features on the LS? I priced the LS 500 I wanted with plenty of features at 85k; the same list of features on the S-Class was 115k. Lexus has placed itself into a niche market, but the value quotient for the quality car we’ve all come to love is undeniable. #Facts.

Sorry. I had to chime in... my 2 cents...

I have read the numerous comments/impressions here about the new LS 500. I get it. Lexus made significant overhauls to the 4LS. Change is sometimes unsettling to people who are accustomed to something for so long. I actually appreciate Lexus tapping into their Japanese roots and not giving into the expectations of Americans to see every flagship reflect the ‘German 3.’ I test drove the 5LS and appreciate its performance. I’m 6’4” and I get the complaints about headroom, but by the same token I can appreciate the sporty dimensions of the interior. It hugs my larger body frame. It’s a preference but not for everyone I suppose. Aside from the obvious changes, it still feels like the old LS. Buttons are located in the same places, the ride is still buttery smooth, and the increased HP and torque is decent, especially for us 4LS owners. It reminds me of when I sat in a 2017 Toyota Tundra and compared it to my 2010 Toyota Tundra. Sure the newer model was shinier and upgraded, but the basic elements of the Tundra never changed and explains the great resale value. Same for the LS. Lexus hasn’t deviated much from what its always been know for.

I joined Club Lexus when I purchased my RX350 and continued following the many forums when I purchased my 2017 Lexus LS460. I find it interesting that so many of the comments on the various 5LS threads make unrealistic comparisons to the S-Class, 7-Series, and A8. Lexus is obviously building its own identity, and they have for a while - not something I can say for the Genesis G90. Can we own that?

When considering the purchase of my 4LS, I read numerous comments about how outdated and uninspiring the 4LS had become. So many allegedly loyal LS owners made comments that the Genesis G90 was a better car for a fraction of the cost and their position of the LS’s inferiority to the German 3. This coming from the Lexus enthusiast community - WTH? I am very content with my 4LS, and thrilled with my daily drives. Juxtapose my experience when buying my LS to that of the negative comments on this thread regarding the 5LS. I’d never buy the 4LS if I internalized the opinions, often biased and subjected opinions, of so many so-called Lexus enthusiasts. What ever happened to incredible posts of Lexus owners and their super mods and incredible upgrades to their cars? I learned so much from you guys. I learned so much from these posts, and they gave me much inspiration. Why don’t we take these 5LS posts back to this place? It was very fun.

Now here we stand with the 5LS and some of the same negative rhetoric of the 4LS. What gives? I joined CL because I’m an Lexus/Toyota enthusiast. I appreciate the good and the bad, and many of the comments here are valid. What car is perfect, anyway? I came to Lexus after owning a 2015 Audi A6 and a 2005 A6 prior to that one. Fast cars. Beautiful Audis but not without their MANY faults as well. I’ve owned Toyota vehicles for years (Tundra, Camry, RX, LS). I love the brand. I just find it incomprehensible how loyalists flip so easily. The brand has been evolving for quite sometime now. I like most changes and dislike fewer. The pros, for me at least, outweigh the cons. I sure don’t miss shelling out thousands on over-engineered German cars. Nothing wrong with anyone that does, but Lexus is my preference; hence, why I am a loyal Toyota/Lexus owner. If folks dislike the brand so much, join a forum of the brand you love. I appreciate opposing views, but the posts as of late are incredibly negative and often lack diverse and objective viewpoints. In fact, many comments now laud the 4LS over the 5LS but, no too long ago, the comments on the 4LS were harsh. Why the flip flop? Aren’t we loyal to our brand? Shouldn’t these forums reflect our loyalty?

I am committed to helping bring these forums back to a place where loyalists and can appreciate the perfections as well as the imperfections. We, specifically I, love my brand. So, how about we consider changing the rhetoric?

Just my opinion. Please don’t destroy me for sharing it 😂