Unbelievably, three decades have passed since the Lexus LS was ushered into the automotive arena. It gave the world a refreshing alternative to the luxury limousines offered by established German brands.
Lexus, believes the fifth incarnation of the LS can make even more of an impression. The situation helped, by the current demonization of diesel and the ever-growing constraints on motoring around urban areas on everything other than electrical energy.
Speaking of power, the Lexus LS 500h hybrid combines a 299PS 3.5-litre V6 petrol lump with a couple of electric motors, offering a total output of 359PS – that’s enough to get the four-wheel-drive car from zero to 62 in just 5.5 seconds. However, the efficiency of the Lexus isn’t staggering – the LS 500h Premier AWD, as tested here, achieves 39.8mpg and CO2 emissions are 161g/km. Still, the figures could be far worse.
The flagship Premier trim accounts for up to 45% of sales in the UK and carries luxury features, such as Shiatsu massage, for occupants. It also houses a fantastic ottoman function in the back seats moving the front passenger seat out of the way, giving a metre of legroom for one of the rear seat passengers. Awesome, or what?
Additionally, Premier LS 500h’s are kitted out with the Lexus Safety System+A. This incorporates the ability to keep the vehicle in its lane while you keep a light touch on the steering wheel, and to change lanes if you simply hold the indicator in its ‘halfway’ location. There’s also a state-of-the-art pedestrian avoidance feature that can brake and swerve to circumvent an impact.
Ride-wise, the LS 500h is sandwiched between the Audi A8 and the Mercedes S-Class. The Premier’s air suspension irons out all but the worst of potholes, providing a soothing drive for 99% of the time. However, the LS rolls in bends – but that’s not surprising as the car weighs 2.4 tonnes. What’s more, the steering is a bit too light and sluggish, making it difficult to gauge what’s happening under the tyres.
Happily, refinement is the Lexus’ strong point – it’s hushed at speed and, around town, all you hear is a faint electric whirr with the occasional low-key firing up of the combustion engine. In this regard, the LS500 h is an excellent limousine.
Inside, the designers have unleashed their creativity with lots of Japanese craftwork, making the Lexus stand out from the old-school German rivals. There are some beautiful touches, with cut-glass interior trim in the style of Kiriko a traditional Japanese technique for glass decoration.
Interior details are taken even further by opting for hand-pleated materials in the LS’ door panels. The car also has a sizeable head-up display fitted. It’s incredibly easy to read and use, but it’s a shame there’s no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity offered. All in all a nice touch, but a £7600 option.
All in all, the LS 500h has come on in leaps and bounds. It’s brimming with technology, and the cabin is superbly put together. The hybrid powertrain is also on point for present-day needs. Indeed, there is little doubt Limo buyers after a left-field choice will find lots to like in the Lexus LS 500h.
Car reviewed: Lexus LS500 h Premier Pleat AWD, on the road price £113,870 0-62mph 5.5secs Top speed 155mph Engine 3456cc V6 24-valveDOHC unleaded Euro 6.2 Fuel Economy Combined 39.8mpg CO2 emissions 161g/km Total Power Output 354bhp Max Power Engine 295bhp@6600rpm Max Power Electric Motor 177bhp Transmission Multi stage hybrid all-wheel -drive
Watch what the others say on Youtube…
Jonathan Humphrey
The man from Drive.co.uk
After many, many years of being passionate about cars, spending too much money on cars and too much time driving. I have now spend my time running and developing Drive.co.uk and creating a bold expressive new motoring lifestyle website.
” Drive | Quotes “
“You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen, it said ‘Parking Fine.”
Tweet
– Tommy Cooper
OUR RECENT REVIEWS
Mazda MX-30 E-Skyactiv R-EV, quirky is good
Innovative, quirky, strange, different, eccentric, odd words have been used to describe the Mazda MX-30 Car Reviewed: Mazda MX-30 E-Skyactiv R-EV The Makoto version of the MX-30 R-EV is a very good-looking car, great to drive, refined and well-kitted out. It was a gorgeous red painted in the popular ‘Soul red’ crystal metallic. But, as…
Continue Reading Mazda MX-30 E-Skyactiv R-EV, quirky is good
The KGM Actyon, is it me you’re looking for
KGM hopes to be the brand you will want to drive and the KGM Actyon may be the SUV for you Car Reviewed: KGM Actyon K50 1.5L Petrol Auto Initially founded in 1904, Bassadone Automotive Group, founded in Gibralta-based Bassadone Automotive Group, rescued the former SsangYong manufacturer in 2022 after it went bankrupt twice recently.…
Continue Reading The KGM Actyon, is it me you’re looking for
Kia PV5 Radically, Re-defining the Van
Revealed the exterior of the New Kia PV5 Passenger and PV5 Cargo Vans Kia is preparing for a worldwide premiere of their futuristic vans, PBVs ( PBV = Platform Beyond Vehicle, or Purpose Built Vehicle). Either way, it’s pretty exciting to see Kia crash the party. The van market in the UK has forever been owned…
Kia Niro PHEV, a safe, stylish, compact SUV
The Kia Niro, one of the South Korean brand’s constant best-selling cars, we enjoyed the PHEV model Car Reviewed: Kia Niro PHEV ‘3’ 1.6 GDi The second generation of the Niro is built on Kia’s ‘K-platform’ and is available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid PHEV and pure electric EV; Kia gives you a choice of…
Continue Reading Kia Niro PHEV, a safe, stylish, compact SUV
Nissan Qashqai e-Power, still the best Peoples SUV
Electric cars just don’t suit everyone and never will Car Reviewed: Nissan Qashqai e-POWER 190 N-Design Reducing emissions does and the Qashqai e-Power is the people’s SUV that does a lot right. In this changing world, maybe the right car has an engine, runs on petrol, charges a battery and is driven by an electric…
Continue Reading Nissan Qashqai e-Power, still the best Peoples SUV
Mazda CX-80 Reviewed, a roomy contender
The elegant Mazda CX-80 is the flagship of the range and highlights Mazda’s ability to offer a premium seven-seat SUV amongst stiff competition Car Reviewed: Mazda CX-80 3.3D 254ps AWD Takumi Plus Mazda’s latest CX-80 SUV has been launched. Seven-seaters have become popular in recent years, and the CX-80 is a roomy contender, with an…