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Join Date: Jul 2019
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E300

How does the LS stack up vs the competition?Lease on my E class is ending soon and I am experiencing some first world problems as I search for a new vehicle to get into. I've narrowed it down to several alternatives and would like some opinions on them in regards to comfort levels.

1) S560
2) Audi A8
3) 7 Series

 

How does the S stack up vs the competition?

Is Lexus on the list?

 

Maybe OP forgot the L in S?

A8 is the quietest and has the softest ride. Interior quality is lacking. Best tech than all mentioned. Might be the slowest of all the below.
S560 has the most prestige IMO. But it's being redesigned this year. Styling is a little dated. Probably can get a decent discount.
LCI 7 series is the fastest (V8). Might have the most engaging drive.
LS is probably the cheapest to lease. Best value. Might have the best interior quality.

 

Woops missed an L.

 

In regard to comfort, I think the current consensus is that it goes something like this:

(More comfortable end of the spectrum) A8 -> S-Class -> 7-Series -> LS (Sportier end of the spectrum)

That said, we'll shortly have an all-new W223 S-Class that I would expect to regain the #1 spot on the comfort end of the spectrum.

 

Agree with this - The A8 is seriously worth a look; if you can hold off for a year, the new S-class is coming out too.

I also personally like what they've done with the new-gen A6 (since you're coming form an E-class) if you haven't taken a look?

 

I was going to get an s class, but after experiencing mercedes customer service - went for the ls. Which was the only reason. Arrogant snobby sales people looking down on you was a complete turn off

 

I’m shopping around for my next car and the LS was on my list. “Was” being the operative word.

One of my current cars is an LC500. I absolutely love that car because the driving dynamics and glorious V8 sound overshadow it’s interior shortcomings. If it weren’t for Apple CarPlay, the infotainment would be a no-go for me. It’s difficult to use the mousepad accurately and don’t even think about doing it while moving. And for heaven’s sake, give me some damn buttons for the seat heating/ventilation and heated steering wheel. Being buried down several layers of screen menus is a poor choice. The LS commits those same sins, but adds in my ultimate deal killer- glossy trim. The F-Sport is available with only gloss black and the other trims available I find unattractive. The LS is handsome but not stunning, capable but not athletic, luxurious but not aimed squarely at being an isolating cocoon like the last gen.

The A8 looks great but again, massive amounts of gloss black that’ll be covered in fingerprints and scratches after the first cleaning. I also don’t care for all of the controls being through touch screens.

I have to have an emotional draw to a car. I looked at the 7 series and was “meh” about it. I found the M550i much more appealing. Definitely on my list if I go the route of having an engaging car, but with the LC I may consider something softer.

The current S class is nice, but again, no emotional draw to it. The next generation is around the corner and the spy shots show it going the route of Tesla and just having giant touch screen everything. Hard pass for me.

If you really want an executive sedan, just do yourself a favor and check out the Genesis G90. Zero glossy materials, crazy quiet inside, every feature you could want, and much much less. I love my Lexus but after Hyundai/Kia/Genesis hired the top talents from BMW, Porsche, Lotus, Audi and Bentley, the other luxury car makers need to pay attention. They’re not all the way there yet, but they’re getting pretty darn close.

As for dealer experience, I’ve noticed brand doesn’t have much to do with it. I’ve been treated very well by every Lexus dealer and most Genesis dealers. BMW was nice to me as well. I went to two Porsche dealers, two Audi dealers, one Maserati and one Lotus dealer who would not even acknowledge my presence. I guess an early 30s guy with tattoos isn’t their perceived demographic. That all changes, of course, if I roll up in my LC. Suddenly they’re all running towards me as soon as I park!

 

Dealer experience has been a bit or miss for me. One
​​​​​Lexus dealer refused a test drive without running my credit. Mercedes dealers were pretty nice but one was kinda pushy.
One Bmw dealer couldn't find the car I set up to test drive.

I'm also in my early 30s

 

I went through the same comparisons and ended up with a new 2019 LS. Right now the discounts make it difficult to overlook as I was able to get nearly $20,000 off of a loaded RWD base with an MSRP tickling $103k. I have had an A8 and a 7-series in the past and was considering them again, but I was coming from a new A6 and the A8 did not differentiate itself enough, other than having the new V8 engine and a rather bland exterior. The dual touch pads on the A6 and 8 are nice, but are fingerprint magnets. The lack of remote start was also annoying. The tech is incredible on the Audis and BMWs (I also drove an M550i XDrive), but I had little glitches with each that I have owned and was looking for more long term reliability.

The LS kind of hits the sweet spot. It is whisper quiet in comfort mode, has just enough low end grunt to give one the feeling of good thrust, and drives with the requisite heaviness and gravitas of a large luxury sedan in this class. The S Class is beautiful, if dated, and the new one shows changes that don’t appeal to me. I don’t believe any of them have the theoretical reliability of the Lexus.

I do miss some features such as a wireless charging pad, auto stop-start, and the more voluminous rear seat space offered elsewhere. The Lexus Copilot lane centering system is not as good as that of the Germans and the rear cameras are obviously lower resolution as compared to the competition, but it is a beauty of an automobile, those omissions notwithstanding. I am getting used to the touchpad and can work with that interface. It isn’t as convenient as a touch screen, but it sure keeps that wonderfully large center display clean!

Overall I am very happy with the LS and think it is a keeper. Best of luck in your search!

PMMD

 

Does the LS actually show tire pressures? I know BMW does, my A7s did not, and our current GX and previous GS's did not. Twice while driving to work at 5:30 in the morning in parts of town I did now want to pull off into I had to do just that to see if my A7s where just a little low on air or if they were flat.

Its come to the point where all cars are so good that things like that can make a difference in what I buy. A positive in the Audi's is that you can turn off Rainsense wipers and have a "normal" intermittent mode that does what I want them to do. I detest Rainsense wipers and they cannot be avoided on any upscale vehicle anymore.

 

Thats one thing I forgot about Audi's. They don't use tire pressure sensors. The tire pressure is determined by the speed the tire rotates. It would be nice not having to worry about tire sensors but if you wanted to deviate from the stock tires or even the stock tire size, it will screw up the pressure reading.

 

The 5LS and 4GS both have active TPMS where you can see the tire pressure for each tire,

 

Id be surprised if any vehicle with rain sensing wipers did not allow you to turn them off and use the wipers manually. Sounds like a law suit waiting to happen. On the LS500, you can turn off the rain sensing wipers.

 

Just took in an autoshow. No S class at the show. But the Lexus holds up very well, especially the inside. They are good. But the design of the interior LS is the most interesting IMO