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Consumer reports summed up the LS 500 as a “misfire” last year. They seem to randomly decide otherwise well-received cars are not up to their standards and they don’t re-evaluate as the model is improved. They just continue to trash it year after year. They hate Lexus Enform and the more features packed within Enform, the more they hate it.
I could understand something like a Tesla Model 3 or a modern Volvo getting low reliability due to poor infotainment as both brands are extremely limited by an inoperable touchscreen, but Lexus are still mostly functional if Enform is being buggy so it shouldn’t be as high up as an engine that tends to grenade or a CVT that lasts 10k miles.
I subscribe to CR, so I just logged in to check on this. Sure enough, they're predicting worst reliability with no supporting ratings. Shows 1/5 for predicted reliability, but none of the items under that show any trouble spots. It does indeed look like a mistake to me.
I can't really show the whole thing because it's huge and all graphics, but essentially it looks like this:
(I believe this is why the OP listed the items under their ratings rather than trying to post of picture of all these weird icons).
As a thought, do the arrows in each of RAG statuses mean anything? Ie, is consumer reports indicating reliability trend rather actual reliability for that year?
Consumer reports summed up the LS 500 as a “misfire” last year. They seem to randomly decide otherwise well-received cars are not up to their standards and they don’t re-evaluate as the model is improved. They just continue to trash it year after year. They hate Lexus Enform and the more features packed within Enform, the more they hate it.
I could understand something like a Tesla Model 3 or a modern Volvo getting low reliability due to poor infotainment as both brands are extremely limited by an inoperable touchscreen, but Lexus are still mostly functional if Enform is being buggy so it shouldn’t be as high up as an engine that tends to grenade or a CVT that lasts 10k miles.
However, to Consumer Reports, it is.
They did the same with Ford and Microsoft Sync when it was first launched. I think I remember them refusing to recommend any Ford vehicle that had Microsoft Sync.
I think CR serves a purpose, but I wouldn't buy/not buy something solely on their recommendation.
As a thought, do the arrows in each of RAG statuses mean anything? Ie, is consumer reports indicating reliability trend rather actual reliability for that year?
How it works is each year they ask members to submit surveys. They ask you what car you have (or still have), and what specific issues you had with it that year. They tabulate those responses to come up with the reliability scores. While the icons don't represent trends, in most car models you see more and more problems the older the cars are. The issue here is that the total reliability score doesn't make sense since none of the individual areas have low reliability. I will try to email them and see what they say.
I have been to the Lexus dealer to check out the LS500. Relative to the all the LS series that preceded it, 400, 430 and 460 this car is an abomination.
The exterior is a cartoonish nightmare of overstyling. The interior is smaller, cramped, visibility compromised. The ergonomics of the
instrument panel are a horror. The simplest operation requires multiple steps with an infuriating mouse through a maze of menus
requiring WAY too much attention away from the road. Read the road test text that accompanies the rating...I agree with their findings.
The LS that we know and love is dead. I will never buy another one beyond the 2012. The LS430 was the high point for Lexus. The 460
was a slight downgrade. The 500 has fallen off a cliff.
Yeah, it's been well documented that owners that loved the old LS's typically don't like the new one. Lexus is after a younger customer here. That said, I don't think it's fair to continually criticize the new LS on the forum devoted to those young people that liked it well enough to buy or lease one.
My point in posting here was to say that Consumer Reports is doing a disservice to Toyota by publishing (apparently) incorrect reliability ratings.
The Consumer Reports road test focused mostly on the misguided design and engineering choices Lexus has made...not the reliability.
The car is no longer as attractive, as comfortable, as user-friendly or as smooth as before. None of these issues affect reliability
but they greatly affect the pleasure of driving. Lexus had tried to turn the LS into a sports sedan. This is not the role of the LS.
If Lexus wants a sports sedan they should make one, not "repurpose" the LS. What they have now is a
Neither-Fish-Nor-Fowl mess. BTW, few "younger customers" are buying $80,000+ sedans. C.R. is not doing a disservice to
Toyota. Toyota is doing a disservice to their customers.
Yeah, it's been well documented that owners that loved the old LS's typically don't like the new one. Lexus is after a younger customer here. That said, I don't think it's fair to continually criticize the new LS on the forum devoted to those young people that liked it well enough to buy or lease one.
My point in posting here was to say that Consumer Reports is doing a disservice to Toyota by publishing (apparently) incorrect reliability ratings.
Well.....I guess I was one of those as I left 3 years ago for the Volvo S90. I just didn't like the front end and maybe after 17 years wanted to try another type of car. While the S90 was a good car, and I got a ton of compliments on it, I kept seeing the LS500 on the road and it would catch my attention. I slowly began to get more comfortable with the front end, and as I have said in another post or two, I went back to test drive it. I know people in here have said it isn't as big inside, and don't like it because they took the V-8 away, but when I took it for a test drive I instantly remembered why I liked the LS before....the smooth and quiet drive. I'm not a heavy guy, so I have plenty of room inside and the V-6 gives me plenty of power. I've only had it for a week, but dang, just an enjoyable drive. Perhaps that is just because the S90 was a good bit below the LS and so the difference for me was more noticeable making the jump back to Lexus and the LS. I was quite concerned about the touch pad when reading reviews, but it works fine for me. I think those that do the test drives just don't have enough time with it to get comfortable with it. So after just 1 week, I am still quite happy with the purchase. Maybe I could have gotten the price down a little more, but no buyers remorse at this point and hopefully it will be a reliable car for at least the next 3 years (single pay lease period).
I think the role of the LS is Lexus's decision, not yours. If you don't like it, you don't have to buy it.
Of course, it's a Lexus decision. As an LS owner
I have a right and a responsibility to express
an opinion when I think they are making a mistake. And you are correct...I will try to
keep my LS running as long as possible as I will not be buying another until/unless Lexus
rediscovers sensible and ergonomic design. R.I.P. LS.
11-18-19, 08:09 PM
Consumer Reports Slams LS500
