Superfast1

Two years ago, my sons & I were looking forward to the LS500, however when it came out, in our opinions, it was a big disappointment. First of all, instead of a V8, 5.0 which the LC500 comes with, for some reason, Toyota has decided to equip the LS500 with a 3.5L, twin turbo. I think the 5.0 will come as an option soon. We've test drove both the base & the F-Sport LS500's, same HP & performances, just more sporty appearance for the later, they're both fast but we still prefer the V8. Secondly, the car doesn't look very proportional. From the rear, it's too skinny & somewhat tall. For the side view, the trunk is way too short & the front is way to long. The only think that we like is the interior & we can live w/ the F-sport spindle grille. I was hoping eventually, it'll grow on me but it has been almost 2 years now & it still hasn't. We live in Southern California & considered by many as the trendsetter but we hardly see any LS500's on local streets & freeways. Perhaps the consumers are seeing & feeling the same way about the latest LS500 as me???

I'm curious to hear what do you guys think of Toyota latest creation of their top-of-the-line luxury sedan.

Stroock639

as just some car it's quite nice, as the first totally redesigned LS in over a decade it's a disgrace

i'll copy this from my other post in the LS 500H thread...


compared to previous LS models this one is:

- no longer on a bespoke platform designed exclusively for it
- not introducing any sort of breakthrough or industry changing drivetrain feature
- no longer using a V8, sacrificing the reliability feel and sound that's always characterized the LS and made it like the nicest silkiest car to drive
- doesn't even have an available V8 when the s class and 7 series still do
- probably didn't cause any mercedes executives to lose their job (look up wolfgang peter w140)
- excessively large on the outside with too much style for the sake of style, while being more cramped and less airy on the inside (space and airiness are like the fundamental pillars of luxury)
- outward visibility isn't great, without BSM there'd be a problem
- the first dishonestly named LS
- trying to be too sporty while not actually being that fast or executive sounding
- too many gears, usability is compromised
- relies more on silly gimmicks like being able to change the color of the car model in the 360 camera
- needing to use the infotainment for things like the heated seats which is convoluted, distracting, and more dangerous (total LS opposites)
- looks like a whale from some angles
- and of course the most outrageous spindle grille yet lol
- doug demuro described a bunch of the features as "cool or interesting" so you know something's not well


too much form over function, this has departed too much from the original lexus mission and philosophy of engineering perfection and functionality above all else... fake air intakes on the front bumper? that's not how the LS came to be the class leader it used to be, and i think a part of why it no longer is

Fit1too

I love, love, love the interiors! The headlights are wicked! The front grill looks silly! There is no V8 and that is unacceptable in this class!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I don't see many/any in my usual areas That's sad and a statement that Lexus may not have swayed those with 460's let alone the big German sedans. I don't have the desire to drive one nor even stop by the dealer to see.

Stroock639

the whole flowing lines thing is cool, except they abruptly end without gracefully carrying over to the door

Stroock639

i made sure i did drive one so i'd be able to more thoroughly complain about it without being accused of not driving one lol

Superfast1

I think the way Toyota/Lexus prices the LS500 is also at a disadvantage from the start. The base LS500 is at around $75k so not too bad, however a fully loaded one is @ ~ $100k so w/ this price, the consumers will go for the base Mercedes S450 V6 3.0 bi-turbo at about the same price or spend a little more for the S560 V8 4.0 twin turbo @ ~ $110k or a lot more for the S63 V8 4.0 twin turbo AWD @ ~ $150K. Toyota/Lexus has lost the battle on this one!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I should take one for a drive. Lexus as a whole has had a lessening appeal for me.

Superfast1

After 3 years & soon to be 4, I still hardly see any LS500's on the streets & freeways in California. Looks to me Lexus isn't doing well w/ the LS500. What a shame.

sdls

As a former multiple LS400 owner and current LS460 owner I turn my nose up at the newer ugly spindle grille cars including the V6 LS350 (let’s be honest with the name)
Lexus has gone off the deep end since 2013..
PS: the LS400 is a better car than the LS460

sdls

And I think that Lexus lost ground in the LS market by going comatose on their laurels while Kia/Hyundai brought the K900/Equus to market, and Tesla.. well we all know what Tesla did to the whole segment.

YODAONE

Sat in a Tesla Model S once... several years ago...was overwhelmed by outgassing of the cheap plastic interior.

Are you saying that interiors of more contemporary Teslas have improved, or is it still cheap material interiors?

sdls

I’m not saying anything about the interiors. I’m talking more about the driving experience and technology underneath. They will probably improve the fit and finish to really compete in that arena too.

It’s not really fair to compare the LS400s interior to anything else. Even the LS430s interior felt cheap in comparison, lol

Superfast1

Sdls- I bought my 97 LS400 when it was a year old so it has been 22 years ago. Since then, I've logged in 190K miles but it still drives like a new car & this is why I love it so much even to this day. I have driven a few LS460's. They're nice but I don't like the satin finished woods in some of them. They just look too dull for my taste. Anyway, can you elaborate a bit more about why the LS400 is a better car than the LS460?

Yodaone- In regards to the Tesla Model S, I totally concurred w/ you that the interior has that cheap plastic feel. For a $100K car, they really need to up on the interior in the departments of materials & quality in order to compete w/ cars at the same price range. It's also hard for me to believe people are willing to spend $50K+ for a Model 3 when its interior looks so plain, especially the dashboard.

sdls

that’s awesome, you enjoyed your car from the beginning. I bought my first LS400, a 96, back in 2006.
Why do I think it’s better?
It was better built. In my opinion, much better from a fit and finish perspective. It worked more smoothly. Easy enough to work on, by the time I got the hang of it, it was very easy to work on. The hydraulic power steering was more satisfying than the 460s electric power steering. The 400 had what felt like leather wrapping on all of the interior surfaces, where the 460 has Corolla spec cloth on the headliner, visors, pillars. Rubbery plastic on the inside door armrest. The LS400 has better ride quality and better isolation from road noise.
The LS460 has way more recalls and TSBs. Maybe you have heard of the melting interior that Lexus are supposedly fixing under the ZLZ service campaign.
I can go on but I feel like a moron for badmouthing my current car.
Toyota/Lexus was at its peak in the 90s. After that, they just became mediocre.