As a luxury car maker, Lexus has quickly put the luxury vehicle market on notice by offering their vehicles at a much more affordable price than any of the competition. Add to this the inclusion of all the equipment and features found in any Lexus and the rest of the luxury automaker will need to find ways to price their vehicles lower in order to compete with Lexus instead of the other way around.
The Lexus LS is the largest sedan offered by Lexus and comes in as the flagship vehicle for the luxury car maker that competes heavily in a class that includes the BMW 7 series, Audi A8, Porsche Panamera, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Offering a long standing name for the past twenty years, the LS are packed to the brim with safety and technology, making it an awesome vehicle to drive and own.
As an unchanged offering, the LS carry the mantra of not fixing what isn’t broken. Offering a superbly well-tuned suspension and highly responsive steering, the big luxury car rides like it is floating on a cloud but hugs the road and handles curves with deft precision and superior mastery.
Add to the supremely smooth ride the quietest cabin on the road today, via use of noise canceling technology and superior insulation and the occupants of the LS will be listening to only their favorite tunes instead of fighting through the road noises to hear what they want to on the sound system. If the Sport model is chosen the car will come equipped with a sport tuned air suspension and Bremo brakes offering much sharper handling and confidence with slowing.
The power for this magnificent beast begins with the 4.6-liter V8 engine that brings a strong 386 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. When mated to the eight-speed automatic transmission this pair brings a nice 16 city/24 hwy mpg in a rear-wheel drive format. This engine offers ample power for passing in highway traffic as well as generous acceleration to achieve highway speeds quickly and effortlessly.
Next up is the same 4-6-liter V8 engine that is now set up in all-wheel drive format. Coming in with 360 horsepower and 347 lb.-ft. of torque as well as a fuel mileage of 16 city/23 hwy mpg this power train gives up a bit of power in order to be fitted with AWD, but the added control and precision can be well worth the loss of power.
The hybrid version of the LS, offers as the LS 600h L, offers a combination of a 5.0-liter V8 engine and an electric motor/generator. This beast of an engine offers 389 horsepower and 385 lb.-ft. of torque for the driver to really enjoy the power under the hood. When the engine adds the power of the electric motor/generator the engine achieves an overall 438 horsepower to really make this a powerful sedan. The fuel mileage for this powertrain when mated to the continuously variable transmission and AWD comes in at 19 city/23 hwy, keeping the power up and the mileage where it should be while being fitted with AWD makes this one very pleasant car to drive with this power plant under the hood.
A large 12.3-inch touch screen central control panel sits in the middle of the dash allowing anyone inside to understand just how technologically advanced the LS is. With soft and easy to enjoy materials the LS is covered in luxury from the dash to the rear window. Add a generous offering of legroom for anyone inside the vehicle and the car is truly a pleasure to cruise in no matter what the destination might be.
From the outside the LS has a menacing and sharp look that almost makes the vehicle appear mischievous. Showing up with the signature hour-glass shaped grill framed in chrome; as well as a sharp line from the headlights inward, the car offers a lot of interest from the front view. Move across the hood to the windshield and a smooth and easy angle is created that gives the car a very sporty look to really enjoy. Add the smooth well shaped panels across the front and doors and the car is shaped to ride fast down the pavement. Finish off with even more chrome accents and 18-inch dual spoked wheels and the car is just a handsome and sly offering from Lexus.
Even though Lexus has come in as the lowest price points in all classes they offer a very generous amount of standard features and the LS is no exception. Standard features include a 16-way power driver’s seat, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, keyless aces, push button starting, a ten-speaker audio system, front and rear sonar proximity sensors, a rearview camera, a navigation system, eight airbags, and adaptive front headlights that pivot into corners. All of this makes for one very well equipped vehicle, even at the standard level.
The optional features offered for the LS include an Alcantara headliner, semi-aniline leather upholstery, wood trimmed rear accents, adaptive air suspension, a Mark Levinson audio system, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection and a pre-collision system that applies the brakes in the event of an imminent collision. An Executive Class Rear Seating Package offers rear occupants a vibrating and shiatsu massage, a Blu-ray entertainment system, wood trimmed tables, and a power reclining seat to enjoy an enhanced luxury experience inside the vehicle. Adding all this to the LS gives the occupants the absolute most they could ask for from a great luxury vehicle.
Offering a starting price just over $73,000 leads the thought to how this could be the lowest price offering in the class, but it certainly is. The longer version “L” starts at $79,300 and the top of the line LS 600h L will come in at a price of $121,000. With such a huge price range there is sure to be a Lexus LS that fits anyone’s needs that are shopping in this class.
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