Having owned a GS 350 for 3 years, only having to visit the dealer for oil changes, and having a fantastic experience and reasonable costs, was definitely a luxury. Only the infotainment and the transmission were a downer. Everything else was a much better experience than BMW, Porsche and Mercedes.
Yeah that transmission and infotainment that I could never get used to. I would pick 530i any minute. My neighbors X5 has been surprisingly reliable for past 7 years 70k miles. BMW reliability has gotten a bit better and Lexus has gone down a bit tbh.
@@b1uezea1ot the AWD have the 6speed vs 8speed in the rwd. I prefer the 6spd over the 8spd any day. I have the 8spd and it kills the performance of the car.
Reliability is one of the most important things to me when I think luxury. I wouldn't want to have to send my precious car to the repair shop every month. Anyone who is smart with their money knows that time and peace of mind can't be bought, not easily at least.
If that's your rationale then I would buy a genesis. reliable and they will give you a loaner with any maintenance and repair, not to mention they will come pick up the car too.
@@DigitalYojimbo yeah Genesis and Lexus look like the way I would go but I would need to wait a little while to see how well Genesis cars fare given extended use
@@DigitalYojimbo honestly I’d pick Lexus 10 times over. Resale value and yes, Lexus is more reliable then a fancy Hyundai from Korea lol. (Genesis) But hey it’s just my opinion, take it as a grain of salt :) I own a 2007 Lexus with 150k miles and counting and it don’t burn a drop or leak a drop of oil and drives like it did 14 years ago. So I’m biased to Lexus just because I’m happy with my car and how cheap it’s been to own. Sure, upfront price is higher but you pay less long term and it’s trouble free for a long long time.
@@megatronusorionpax4900 totallly agreed… Toyota parts all throughout my Lexus. That’s what makes it good. But on a Hyundai. It’s a turd with a dress on it. ;)
@@ScarletKnightmare according to you, good reliability is an important element of luxury, a Corolla or really any reliable car meets that important parameter of your definition of luxury.
I’m personally 100% within the category of customers that belong to the school of thought you described in the 1st 30 seconds of your review: if it ain’t durable and reliable, then it ain’t luxurious. Dependability is a pre-requisite for true luxury. In this day and age, no one has time to worry about an unpredictable car that may not start, leave you stranded randomly or fall apart prematurely.
Being a long-time Lexus customer, this LS is just worth so much more for the money than the S-class or anything else out there for the time being. While my current 2020 ES hybrid is such a great sedan, if I were to transition into a slightly larger sedan, this LS would be the one for me. A great vehicle for much less than the cost of any other German sedan.
@David Jung it's cheaper because it doesn't have all the bleeding edge tech gimmicks 99% don't use. It sticks to tech that has been proven over time and thus less costly. That's why german cars are not reliable.
@David Jung it’s just 2 different philosophies… I also prefer Lexus’ more conservative approach with an emphasis on quality and longevity. But I understand it’s not the way everyone thinks.
@David Jung Well in my opinion based on my own experience S500 and Ls500 giving the same quiet experience but i also have to say that lexus lack of bleeding tech gimmicks.
FYI the battery replacement on the Lexus IS $10,000-16,000 as quoted by multiple Toyota/lexus dealers for the LS500H. Also hybrid batteries for new lexus/Toyota come with a 8year warranty on the battery back while the rest of the vehicle is about 4-5year bumper to bumper.
@@timsautovision6145 I have owned three since 2009. The diesel is no longer made due to complexity. That said, my 2007 bluetec went over 200k before tranny lunched itself- I’m told that first year seven speed was problematic. The 2011 C300 AWD with well over 100k has been bulletproof. 2015 E250 has had the cheater’s recall done - it has well over 100k, averages about 45 mpg on the highway, and can cruise at whatever speed you wish. I’ll likely never buy another Benz but they are the best driving car I’ve ever owned.
Alex is the absolute best car reviewer. Without exception. I will not, and have not since finding his channel, purchase a vehicle without checking his review. It’s Consumer Report first, then Alex. And yes, that’s a period.
Reliability is my #1 priority. I like to buy used and keep my cars a long time. I have a 2011 LS 460 with 69k miles, and hope to drive it at least another ten years. I wouldn't touch a German car outside the warranty period.
While I respect your opinion, used Lexus is too overrated. My friend bought used 740i for far less than used LS at similar year/miles. He kept the differential to his bank expecting a lot of maintenances and unexpected break downs, but it has been totally fine.
@@b1uezea1ot There are people who.compile statistics on these things, and the reality is that German cars really do develop serious problems after a few years, and those problems are very expensive to fix. And they just keep coming, leading to most older German luxury cars being scrapped far sooner than they should have to be. Sure, an individual vehicle may be the exception, but that's just good luck. Lexus still scores near the top in all reliability metric no matter who compiled the data, and Mercedes near the bottom. Audi and BMW typically do about average, but that's mostly because their cheapest, simplest models are decent.
@@markmiller3279 plus even if the bmw has been reliable so far (surprisingly), the cost in maintenance you spend especially for labor is insane. The “overrated” used Lexus will take on whatever you throw at it and even if something does break it usually doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and some specific repairs can even be done by yourself unlike with Germans where they intentionally make it harder for customers to access or work on their cars after warranty. Even my friends 2012 X5 with like 85k miles is falling apart and he is planning on selling it for a new land cruiser so he won’t be paranoid anymore. It is very common to see land cruisers/LX here with 300-400k miles selling for relatively high prices. But I have yet to see a German with anywhere close to 300k miles.
luxury to me means 3 things - safety, comfort, reliability. currently have a 2017 RX350, would love the opportunity to switch to a Lexus LS in the future.
I have a feeling over the years that all these Lexus spindle grill cars are going to be classics in the future.. Just you watch. The look is going to age well and the reliability is gonna remain for decades to come
I have been a Lexus LS customer for decades and have had absolutely no dependability or reliability problems in any of them over the years. The interiors are comfortable and relaxing and I have always admired the exterior designs. Treatment at the dealership is exceptional. When it is time for a new sedan, I will be heading once again only to the Lexus dealer.
Luxury is something above a sufficient. It's something that does the job but is a level above in quality, materials, experience, etc. From here each is choosing what extra he wants.
Great informative content ! I actually don’t mind the smaller display in the dash, it seems to be relatively clear and with the HUD all the necessary information at hand. Well done on the very professional review.
Looks like my Christmas wish of getting the Toyota Century on this side of the pond is not coming true (yet again). I’ll just put in on the list for next year!
That would be the cost cutting, that you immediately noticed. Not just you but alot of people. They didn't offer a long wheelbase or multiple powertrains like the Germans in order to save production cost. This decision has cost them alot of sales this generation LS is the worse selling EVER! TOYOTA really dropped the ball with this car and it's really sad, there still brand new 2020 models at my local lexus dealer.
@@Coupe-sy9nk That's why Lexus doesn't sell in Europe. Here in the comments everyone says the Germans are absolutely terrible but they sell like hotcakes here and are really not as bad as they say they are reliability wise. They just make way better luxury cars, more tech, more power, better refinement and even more features in the interior that make it feel like a luxury car. Also RWD on everything except the cheapest models! Lexus has ZERO RWD unibody SUVs.
I seriously cannot wait for the next G90 to get here. The features that they've equipped it with are more than enough to be a worthy competitor to the big German sedans. It's also gonna be really big, at 207 inches for the standard car, and 215 for the extended version. Word on the street is that the extended G90 will become a global option, and will arrive in North America.
@@naveenthemachine Uh, maybe, but that depends on what else Genesis comes up with. Flagship sedans are nice for bragging rights, but they sell in modest numbers. Lexus outsells Genesis by a massive margin that will be hard for Genesis to reduce unless their reputation keeps improving. Their recent models have been very impressive, but they still are treated with skepticism by luxury car buyers. I'd happily drive a GV70, which is gorgeous and original, but few BMW and Mercedes drivers will make that jump.
@@naveenthemachine I won't say that because Lexus has a loyal following but the G90 is a very nice vehicle. Long term quality will be determine its fate. I owned a 2012 Hyundai Equus when it came out and it turned out to be one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned.
This car doesn’t need to be a speed machine at all. Daily driving in this nightfall mica color? Ummm yes please 🙌🏼💙💙💙💙💙💙 A quiet, comfortable ride is what I want in a luxury 4 door sedan. Enjoyed the review Alex! Love seeing the current generation LS500s on the roads.
Merry Christmas Alex. Hope you and your family are doing well. I had a Lexus RX 350 that was sold at 330k miles while currently my wife is driving 2010 Lexus IS 350 and has 70k on it. Neither presented mechanical problems yet. I will be retiring soon and I'm looking to get another Lexus from my wife as sort of a celebration. She's excited as I told her she can get any Lexus she wants. Knowing her she will get another Lexus RX 350 or LX 570. We're just not going to buy a vehicle right now with dealer markup and the supply crunch. For ME and my wife we're just not interested in that many tech gadgets in vehicles. So as much as I see that the Lexus LS is the Pinnacle of Lexus luxury I'll be happy with the Lexus RX 350 or LX-570.
The Lexus LX570 V8 is on the way out and will soon be replaced with the LX 600 with a Turbo V6. It is also probable that the days of a V6 RX 350 are numbered as it may well be replaced with a Turbo 4.
For reference, Lexus JP website rated LS500H's electric motor's maximum output as 132kW (180PS or 177.5 HP) and 300 N m (30.6 kg*m / 221 lb*ft). Not sure the actual maximum output will be when both gas engine and electric motors are working together, but Lexus TW did rate the entire hybrid system as having maximum of 359 PS (354 HP).
I would like a close-up on the rear side window seal between the up-down one and the small fixed one. It's rare that we see a flush mount integration without apparent post between the 2.
As much as I like Toyota, even if I was able to afford a 100k+ large luxury sedan, the last car I would look at would be the LS. Reliability isn't an issue if u can afford this new, and the majority of vehicles in this class are leased, so reliability doesn't even matter anymore. The S-Class or 7 series is just on another level in every category except reliability. When you can afford a new S-Class every 3 years, then you know u made it in life, i doubt u can get that same feeling in the LS. I'm sure my neighbor who has a LX470, and 2 LS400 in their driveway would love to upgrade to this in 10 years.
I would argue about battery life on the H. In the GS450h (very similar setup) expectations were 200k-300k km’s. In the LS600hL I changed mine at 150k miles, found another owner who did it at 125k miles, and yet another who did it at 180k miles. All around that same mileage as the GS450h. Not saying it is good or bad, but it should be an expected maintenance item at some point.
I always bang on Lexus because the vast majority of their sales are just fancy Toyota models; namely the NX, RX and ES. But this LS is a true luxury car! It's got good tech, beautiful materials, solid build, and rides on a proper RWD platform. Oh, and it's reliable! I wish Lexus made more proper luxury vehicles like this!
@@canadabear72 Yes, the LX represents 3 tons of Lexus, body-on-frame SUV luxury. It may be cheaper by the ton than any other Lexus so it represents value as well.
This will be my 3rd Lexus. I was disappointed to see a less than stellar cabin noise rating. Please recommend the tires you would change to in order to improve the decibel result. A very important factor to me. Thank you Alex
Merry Christmas Alex! $40k for a battery replacement in the S-Class is a total deal-breaker for buying one. Guess that’s why people lease them, but then you wouldn’t make the money back on the fuel savings due to the mileage limit and short “ownership”.
@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 actually the one Alex was talking about was an S400, which was sold in the early 2010s. Hopefully the battery in the new MB hybrids are cheaper to replace.
For someone buying new every few years, reliability won't be as strong a selling point. But the residual value of lexus is strong because you know with just normal maintenance it'll still be as good in 20 years time as it was when new.
Full replacement cost for the Lexus battery pack by the dealer is only $6k? And you can recondition your old Prius battery packs for considerably less like a thousand dollars just by replacing the defective units in the pack. If the cost of replacing the Mercedes battery pack is $40k then you might as well strap a bunch of dynamite to it and blow it to pieces at the local rock quarry. It’s not worth saving. Yeah, give me the Lexus.
The Lexus LS is certainly a fine, capable, and reliable luxury car. I'm in the minority, but I actually like the exterior design. Due to its proportions, it seems to best integrate Lexus' design philosophy over other vehicles. That said, there are reasons it doesn't do better in the class. The interior packaging, as is the case with most of Toyota's TNGA-platformed cars, is below most in the class.(reliability isn't enough to rest on since so many of the vehicles in this class are leased and returned before reliability issues rise).The rear seat area doesn't appear to be much bigger than what you'd get in something like a Honda Accord or VW Arteon, let alone the truly opulent S-Class or A8. I do appreciate that Lexus infused a different luxury environment than the normal leather and woods, but it just seems to be "busy" rather than cohesive or continuous. The gauge cluster is from 2012 and seriously played out, and the details like updated the head unit but leaving the rear screen on the old graphics would drive my OCD to the moon! But if you must have one, this is certainly the model to get. The 3.5TT is known to have a few reliability issues(oil consumption and fuel system issues).
During the recent media event announcing Toyota's major plunge into electric cars we saw CEO Akio Toyoda acting as MC. He looks to be about 5'5" and he is regularly mentioned as being influential in Toyota's new designs. Would it be reasonable to say - if an interior is big enough for Akio, it is big enough for Toyota?
Excellent review. Since it's inception the LS has been built in one plant located in Tahara Japan. Lexus mantra is the, "Pursuit of Excellence" and they mean it. For me Quality and dependability is paramount when I purchase a vehicle. If you buy a vehicle and keep it for a long time or you buy a used Luxury vehicle get the Lexus.
@@naveenthemachine, they make excellent vehicles. However, I worked for a major manufacture for 40 years and had access to different manufacturers warranty numbers. Lexus always had the least amount of issues. Mind you no one makes a bad vehicle today. Cheers!
@@b1uezea1ot honestly I think Lexus is a value play now. We have purchased a new RX and IS over the past few years and they provide amazing value. Not exciting but practical luxury.
@@b1uezea1ot the only Toyota or Lexus models I’d recommend are the v6 Camry, is500, LC500, RC F, gx460, RWD Mirai. Everything else yeah I don’t think so
I own A ES 350 and A 350RX the best cars I have ever owned. If I compare my experience with my sister who owns a big Mercedes S UV the difference is I change the oil and drive and she is constantly at the dealership. I will never buy another car unless it is A Lexus.
I wish they still had a GS model in the line up. I’d have a hard time buying a non-turbo car and while the ES ticks pretty much every box, it has no turbo nor the AWD option of the LS.
alex i love how technical you are, and appreciate your in depth reviews of areas of cars, seats for example at 6:18. have you thought of doing a spreadsheet on google docs for folks to search dependent on their criteria? someone may be chasing a car with top end sound, or a large rear area, small footprint etc, the spreadsheet would allow someone to narrow down the search.
Reliability could definitely be luxurious, considering the British and Germans seem to chase a form then engineer the function, where Lexus and Toyota really bake it in. The dread of walking out to an electrical nightmare or only having options that weren't nickel and dimed out of you is enough to steer people to something that doesn't pretend that it's an F1 car and works, every time.
Although I can't find the article I think your point about design is actually the opposite, at least in one case. When they worked on the Z4/Supra Toyota was surprised that BMW set the hardpoints of the car and then designed around them rather than Toyota's approach of designing the exterior and then interior.
If I had to rank my requirements for a luxury car: 1. Reliability 2. Luxury 3. Fuel Economy 4. Tech 5. Sporty Feel I’m the type of person to not like sportier handling cars, and that’s why I’m not a big fan of BMW. Mercedes-Benz is right on the line of being a sporty brand, but I still feel like it would have a comfortable ride. If I was in the market for a large luxury sedan, I’d go with the Lexus LS500h in a heartbeat, but I’d also add the AWD.
To me, reliability is an expectation, not a luxury. Few exceptions (and brand reputations) aside, I don't worry about any new car leaving me on the side of the road. Maintenance & repair costs are what give me pause.
If you’re buying a Lexus reliability shouldn’t matter in some cases If you want reliability forget Lexus. Get a Toyota. You save tens of thousands of dollars and have lower cost of operation. The dealer experience is nice but only if your Lexus breaks all the time. You’re essentially paying for a one time luxury dealer experience
@@naveenthemachine I agree that an "elevated" dealership experience is not worth the cost, especially since I'd rather not be sitting waiting around at all. I own a Stinger GT and my Kia dealership has a shuttle service that will take you to your work and pick you up when the service is finished (they have loaners for long term repairs). I don't want to sit in a fancy leather chair in a waiting room, I want to get on with my day.
LS hybrid I will pay for Other brands I will lease The LS will be my “just in case” car, meaning if I lose my money, I have a nice car that won’t give me money problems when I lack the funds to live extravagant
Merry Christmas Alex, Team Alex on Autos and Subscribers!! You asked how we define luxury so here is my best approximation, luxury is comfort, power, quiet and quality in abundance. In my book quality = reliability so that leaves the Germans, Italians, British and Detroit 3 out. Recently Toyota Motor Corporation surprised us with an entirely different RWD Hybrid design in the Tundra where they added a pancake* electric motor between the engine and 10 speed transmission. What does that development say about the future of the Hybrid system used in the LS and LC? Getting back to comfort, it is a crying shame this luxurious LS has removed far too much rear seat headroom to be comfortable for taller passengers. Alex, next Christmas I hope Toyota sends you their top car the Century to see how it compares to this humble LS.
The LS isn’t practical at all. So much so that according to throttle house, the short wheelbase LS460 has way more interior space than the long wheelbase LS500. Currently even a Camry has a bit more interior legroom and headroom lol
@@naveenthemachine it seems a lot of new cars are getting to be like that. One that comes to mind is the Acura TLX being smaller than a Honda Accord. Possibly even smaller than a Civic inside.
00:24 What’s wrong with you??????!!!!! WE WANT ALL OF THOSE THINGS!!!!!!!!!!! Comfort, style, performance, reliability, safety. Name me one ID!0T that Durant want one of these things. Automakers have a lot of room to improve and I’m glad to see Tesla leading this change. Except for reliability, which is improving, the Tesla model S is the closest to checking all of the boxes, which is why Consumer Reports said it was the BEST car they had EVER tested.
For me Mercedes Benz defined luxury with the S Class until the 1992 model. It mixed built as a tank, cars lasting decades and reliable technology. Lexus copied that and kind of kept it going. The Germans lost it after that and deviated towards technology for the sake of it and lease time lasting reliability.
I had a pair of $600 Shoes that were quite beautiful, but also quite uncomfortable and impractical. The question that I always asked myself when wearing them was: “Is this really what is considered luxury?” Or, “what does luxury mean?” The answer that I eventually arrived at was Luxury is what the name suggests: something you don’t need, an extravagance. However, what I also learned, and what I gained from having those shoes was though was that, while luxury may be defined as an extravagant and totally unnecessary item, it should/must also always provide value. If something is expensive and beautiful, but it is a pain in the behind, is it really a luxury, or has it actually become a nuisance?In other words, if we have something that is beautiful and brings joy, but we can’t use it because, through using it, it eventually becomes something that brings pain, is it truly bringing joy? Does joy have to last? These are questions that I still ask myself.
You are so good at this. It's like you were born to review cars. You are a trusted voice.
You are *the trusted voice.
Having owned a GS 350 for 3 years, only having to visit the dealer for oil changes, and having a fantastic experience and reasonable costs, was definitely a luxury. Only the infotainment and the transmission were a downer. Everything else was a much better experience than BMW, Porsche and Mercedes.
I’ve had a 2014 gs 350 fsport awd for 7 years... and it’s been grippy pretty fast and just nice and neeeevvveeerrrr breaks. It’s so wild.
Yeah that transmission and infotainment that I could never get used to. I would pick 530i any minute. My neighbors X5 has been surprisingly reliable for past 7 years 70k miles. BMW reliability has gotten a bit better and Lexus has gone down a bit tbh.
@@b1uezea1ot the AWD have the 6speed vs 8speed in the rwd. I prefer the 6spd over the 8spd any day. I have the 8spd and it kills the performance of the car.
Reliability is one of the most important things to me when I think luxury. I wouldn't want to have to send my precious car to the repair shop every month. Anyone who is smart with their money knows that time and peace of mind can't be bought, not easily at least.
If that's your rationale then I would buy a genesis. reliable and they will give you a loaner with any maintenance and repair, not to mention they will come pick up the car too.
@@DigitalYojimbo yeah Genesis and Lexus look like the way I would go but I would need to wait a little while to see how well Genesis cars fare given extended use
@@DigitalYojimbo honestly I’d pick Lexus 10 times over.
Resale value and yes, Lexus is more reliable then a fancy Hyundai from Korea lol. (Genesis)
But hey it’s just my opinion, take it as a grain of salt :)
I own a 2007 Lexus with 150k miles and counting and it don’t burn a drop or leak a drop of oil and drives like it did 14 years ago.
So I’m biased to Lexus just because I’m happy with my car and how cheap it’s been to own.
Sure, upfront price is higher but you pay less long term and it’s trouble free for a long long time.
@@brandonott7258 a Genesis is as much a "fancy Hyundai" as Lexus is a "fancy Toyota" or Audi a "fancy VW"
@@megatronusorionpax4900 totallly agreed… Toyota parts all throughout my Lexus.
That’s what makes it good.
But on a Hyundai. It’s a turd with a dress on it. ;)
To me "luxury" means not hating my commute. Good reliability is an important element of that
By that logic, a Corolla is a luxury car then.
@@drivescene6747 Your reading comprehension is legendary
@@drivescene6747 I would hate my commute in a Corolla, unless it’s a short drive to and from a train station
@@Skfkf1393a same lol
@@ScarletKnightmare according to you, good reliability is an important element of luxury, a Corolla or really any reliable car meets that important parameter of your definition of luxury.
I’m personally 100% within the category of customers that belong to the school of thought you described in the 1st 30 seconds of your review: if it ain’t durable and reliable, then it ain’t luxurious. Dependability is a pre-requisite for true luxury. In this day and age, no one has time to worry about an unpredictable car that may not start, leave you stranded randomly or fall apart prematurely.
For a lot of people, if you can buy thing car you most likely have a backup.
Being a long-time Lexus customer, this LS is just worth so much more for the money than the S-class or anything else out there for the time being. While my current 2020 ES hybrid is such a great sedan, if I were to transition into a slightly larger sedan, this LS would be the one for me. A great vehicle for much less than the cost of any other German sedan.
@David Jung it's cheaper because it doesn't have all the bleeding edge tech gimmicks 99% don't use. It sticks to tech that has been proven over time and thus less costly. That's why german cars are not reliable.
@David Jung it’s just 2 different philosophies… I also prefer Lexus’ more conservative approach with an emphasis on quality and longevity. But I understand it’s not the way everyone thinks.
@David Jung S Class and A8 aren’t for driving so if you use it as a family car… don’t
@David Jung I don't know if you ever been in a Lexus but they have been known to be very smooth and quiet vehicles for years now.
@David Jung Well in my opinion based on my own experience S500 and Ls500 giving the same quiet experience but i also have to say that lexus lack of bleeding tech gimmicks.
I would get the LS
It has enough gadgets, drives well, and looks good.
I've owned an LS in 400. LS430 and I currently own an LS460. Nice to see how they've evolved
FYI the battery replacement on the Lexus IS $10,000-16,000 as quoted by multiple Toyota/lexus dealers for the LS500H. Also hybrid batteries for new lexus/Toyota come with a 8year warranty on the battery back while the rest of the vehicle is about 4-5year bumper to bumper.
Reliability was a Mercedes trademark for years plus prestige and exclusitivity and built quality
Mercedes has been garbage for decades
@@timsautovision6145 I have owned three since 2009. The diesel is no longer made due to complexity. That said, my 2007 bluetec went over 200k before tranny lunched itself- I’m told that first year seven speed was problematic. The 2011 C300 AWD with well over 100k has been bulletproof. 2015 E250 has had the cheater’s recall done - it has well over 100k, averages about 45 mpg on the highway, and can cruise at whatever speed you wish. I’ll likely never buy another Benz but they are the best driving car I’ve ever owned.
@@timsautovision6145 Late 90s Mercedes have started to show a significant decrease in reliability compared to previous model years.
Was…
In terms of quality Lexus is king but I heard the EClass Mercedes models are ok.
I need the long wheelbase back. The LS460L was class-leading on rear comfort back in the day, and I enjoyed it very much.
The last gen Ls460 short wheelbase had way more space inside than the long wheelbase LS500
Alex is the absolute best car reviewer. Without exception. I will not, and have not since finding his channel, purchase a vehicle without checking his review. It’s Consumer Report first, then Alex. And yes, that’s a period.
Reliability is my #1 priority. I like to buy used and keep my cars a long time. I have a 2011 LS 460 with 69k miles, and hope to drive it at least another ten years. I wouldn't touch a German car outside the warranty period.
While I respect your opinion, used Lexus is too overrated. My friend bought used 740i for far less than used LS at similar year/miles. He kept the differential to his bank expecting a lot of maintenances and unexpected break downs, but it has been totally fine.
@@b1uezea1ot There are people who.compile statistics on these things, and the reality is that German cars really do develop serious problems after a few years, and those problems are very expensive to fix. And they just keep coming, leading to most older German luxury cars being scrapped far sooner than they should have to be. Sure, an individual vehicle may be the exception, but that's just good luck. Lexus still scores near the top in all reliability metric no matter who compiled the data, and Mercedes near the bottom. Audi and BMW typically do about average, but that's mostly because their cheapest, simplest models are decent.
@@markmiller3279 plus even if the bmw has been reliable so far (surprisingly), the cost in maintenance you spend especially for labor is insane. The “overrated” used Lexus will take on whatever you throw at it and even if something does break it usually doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and some specific repairs can even be done by yourself unlike with Germans where they intentionally make it harder for customers to access or work on their cars after warranty. Even my friends 2012 X5 with like 85k miles is falling apart and he is planning on selling it for a new land cruiser so he won’t be paranoid anymore. It is very common to see land cruisers/LX here with 300-400k miles selling for relatively high prices. But I have yet to see a German with anywhere close to 300k miles.
Love this review. Super informative, fact filled, not too long and you covered all the things a potential buyer would factor. Well done!🤙🏾
luxury to me means 3 things - safety, comfort, reliability. currently have a 2017 RX350, would love the opportunity to switch to a Lexus LS in the future.
Not only do the sail windows have sunshades, but the sail windows for the sail windows do, too. Love it! And love your videos, of course!
This is the luxury car you buy to own for a long time with zero issues. The exact opposite of most you lease for a short time
The only reviewer on UA-cam that does a detailed seat analysis.
I've landed on this review "a bit late" and years after you posted it. But it is a great review, as always. Thanks!
interesting the rear seats in the Lexus ES appears to have more rear seat leg room
And a bigger trunk iirc.
It does actually. Although the ES has more rear legroom than essentially everything in its class actually...
I have a feeling over the years that all these Lexus spindle grill cars are going to be classics in the future.. Just you watch. The look is going to age well and the reliability is gonna remain for decades to come
LMAOOO
This car is freaking beautiful.
I have been a Lexus LS customer for decades and have had absolutely no dependability or reliability problems in any of them over the years. The interiors are comfortable and relaxing and I have always admired the exterior designs. Treatment at the dealership is exceptional. When it is time for a new sedan, I will be heading once again only to the Lexus dealer.
Luxury is something above a sufficient. It's something that does the job but is a level above in quality, materials, experience, etc. From here each is choosing what extra he wants.
Great informative content ! I actually don’t mind the smaller display in the dash, it seems to be relatively clear and with the HUD all the necessary information at hand. Well done on the very professional review.
I'm glad that you mentioned that replacing the battery pack on the LS won't happen before putting 150k miles and that is if it happens at all!
very very good review far better than many other more popular channels on youtube
5:04 $6k to replace a failed hybrid battery on Lexus LS Hybrid.
5:20 $30k to replace a failed hybrid battery on Mercedes S-class Hybrid.
$30-40k to replace a failed hybrid battery? You might as well get another car with that money.
Considering the lack of quality in all German cars, you'll be replacing it frequently.
@@damilolaakanni Luxury cars have extremely high running costs, repairs too. Toyota is a little different.
Someone is being taken for a ride by their Mercedes dealer.
Labor rates need to be discussed in that equation as well. Also the rate of failures/car.
Lexus all the way, Just got my 2022 450h a month ago. Very happy!
Time is money. Being broken down is poverty. Luxury cars should be the MOST reliable cars of all. Not just the most bells and whistles.
Great review as always. Really like the multi screen drive review.
Merry Christmas
Great review. I like the 3 vid collage but it would be better if the interior vid was the larger one so i can see that beautiful luxury interior 😜
Looks like my Christmas wish of getting the Toyota Century on this side of the pond is not coming true (yet again). I’ll just put in on the list for next year!
Eyes during the line delivery at 15:00. Perfect.
The drivetrain is as complicated as you'd imagine a luxury car drivetrain would be but it doesn't ooze luxury to me.
That would be the cost cutting, that you immediately noticed. Not just you but alot of people. They didn't offer a long wheelbase or multiple powertrains like the Germans in order to save production cost. This decision has cost them alot of sales this generation LS is the worse selling EVER! TOYOTA really dropped the ball with this car and it's really sad, there still brand new 2020 models at my local lexus dealer.
@@Coupe-sy9nk That's why Lexus doesn't sell in Europe. Here in the comments everyone says the Germans are absolutely terrible but they sell like hotcakes here and are really not as bad as they say they are reliability wise. They just make way better luxury cars, more tech, more power, better refinement and even more features in the interior that make it feel like a luxury car. Also RWD on everything except the cheapest models! Lexus has ZERO RWD unibody SUVs.
@@Coupe-sy9nk they do offer multiple technically. 2 atleast
Lexus sold 12, that's right, 12 of these in 2021
This answers a question nobody asked
My LS600hl has 190.000 miles and zero problems.
This versus the new G90 would be interesting. Now that they also only have a V6 it's even more similar. I prefer the LS exterior and G90 interior.
I seriously cannot wait for the next G90 to get here. The features that they've equipped it with are more than enough to be a worthy competitor to the big German sedans. It's also gonna be really big, at 207 inches for the standard car, and 215 for the extended version.
Word on the street is that the extended G90 will become a global option, and will arrive in North America.
@@greg.anywhere once the new g90 comes it’s the begging of the end of Lexus
@@naveenthemachine Dude stop smoking crack!
@@naveenthemachine Uh, maybe, but that depends on what else Genesis comes up with. Flagship sedans are nice for bragging rights, but they sell in modest numbers. Lexus outsells Genesis by a massive margin that will be hard for Genesis to reduce unless their reputation keeps improving. Their recent models have been very impressive, but they still are treated with skepticism by luxury car buyers. I'd happily drive a GV70, which is gorgeous and original, but few BMW and Mercedes drivers will make that jump.
@@naveenthemachine I won't say that because Lexus has a loyal following but the G90 is a very nice vehicle. Long term quality will be determine its fate. I owned a 2012 Hyundai Equus when it came out and it turned out to be one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned.
This car doesn’t need to be a speed machine at all. Daily driving in this nightfall mica color? Ummm yes please 🙌🏼💙💙💙💙💙💙 A quiet, comfortable ride is what I want in a luxury 4 door sedan. Enjoyed the review Alex! Love seeing the current generation LS500s on the roads.
Merry Christmas Alex. Hope you and your family are doing well.
I had a Lexus RX 350 that was sold at 330k miles while currently my wife is driving 2010 Lexus IS 350 and has 70k on it.
Neither presented mechanical problems yet. I will be retiring soon and I'm looking to get another Lexus from my wife as sort of a celebration. She's excited as I told her she can get any Lexus she wants. Knowing her she will get another Lexus RX 350 or LX 570. We're just not going to buy a vehicle right now with dealer markup and the supply crunch.
For ME and my wife we're just not interested in that many tech gadgets in vehicles. So as much as I see that the Lexus LS is the Pinnacle of Lexus luxury I'll be happy with the Lexus RX 350 or LX-570.
The Lexus LX570 V8 is on the way out and will soon be replaced with the LX 600 with a Turbo V6. It is also probable that the days of a V6 RX 350 are numbered as it may well be replaced with a Turbo 4.
They need to throw that clock back in, thats the signature.
This is the only sedan I must get one Alex.
Fantastic video and recording style is on point. Subscribed.
Enjoyed this informative review (though I'm not in the market for a lux sedan). I like the exterior styling.
For reference, Lexus JP website rated LS500H's electric motor's maximum output as 132kW (180PS or 177.5 HP) and 300 N m (30.6 kg*m / 221 lb*ft). Not sure the actual maximum output will be when both gas engine and electric motors are working together, but Lexus TW did rate the entire hybrid system as having maximum of 359 PS (354 HP).
I’d opt for the twin turbo V6 but ultimately a 5.7L V8 that I wished only Lexus had offered one.
A beautiful car. Merry Christmas Alex and team
I would like a close-up on the rear side window seal between the up-down one and the small fixed one. It's rare that we see a flush mount integration without apparent post between the 2.
Great review! Love the LS
Reliability is a necessity in every car I purchase. Having leather, sound deadening, audio etc doesnt do you much when you dont have peace of mind
Twin-turbo V6, F Sport, RWD is by for the best choice in the LS500 lineup. Better handling, horsepower, and styling!
Audi A8 is the class of the field
No wonder why I never see these on the road. I see bunch of 7 series and S class, but I literally never saw this.
You can get a used one for 45k
As much as I like Toyota, even if I was able to afford a 100k+ large luxury sedan, the last car I would look at would be the LS. Reliability isn't an issue if u can afford this new, and the majority of vehicles in this class are leased, so reliability doesn't even matter anymore. The S-Class or 7 series is just on another level in every category except reliability. When you can afford a new S-Class every 3 years, then you know u made it in life, i doubt u can get that same feeling in the LS. I'm sure my neighbor who has a LX470, and 2 LS400 in their driveway would love to upgrade to this in 10 years.
nice video， high quality as always.
When my Shiba inu and amc rip 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
AMC is never going back up
the new 2023 G90 is amazing i hope Lexus step up their game on the LS next year
They won’t. The g90 has ended any effort for the next gen LS
Plus I doubt the LS will even live on.
Sometimes I wish my Lexus will break down so that I can fix , no matter how hard I drive it , the car still runs like day one.
Nice to know that the e 5 or a6 competitor is still going strong. I have no idea why you keep bringing up cars that don’t compete
I would argue about battery life on the H. In the GS450h (very similar setup) expectations were 200k-300k km’s. In the LS600hL I changed mine at 150k miles, found another owner who did it at 125k miles, and yet another who did it at 180k miles. All around that same mileage as the GS450h. Not saying it is good or bad, but it should be an expected maintenance item at some point.
Not seeing any at dealers. Is the self driving option readily available?
I always bang on Lexus because the vast majority of their sales are just fancy Toyota models; namely the NX, RX and ES. But this LS is a true luxury car! It's got good tech, beautiful materials, solid build, and rides on a proper RWD platform. Oh, and it's reliable! I wish Lexus made more proper luxury vehicles like this!
I suspect a large, RWD Lexus CUV is on the way.
@@rightlanehog3151 I'd love to see it!
@@canadabear72 Some time in 2022.
@@rightlanehog3151 Of course, the new LX is pretty nice too!
@@canadabear72 Yes, the LX represents 3 tons of Lexus, body-on-frame SUV luxury. It may be cheaper by the ton than any other Lexus so it represents value as well.
The New 2022 G90 interior is Crazy Good!
🤮🤮🤮
@@Coupe-sy9nk at least you tried
I just watched to see if he still had a band aid on his thumb...but those back seats look Hella comfy
Luxury means top notch quality, everywhere
Doesn't the S-Class have a full-hybrid?
This will be my 3rd Lexus. I was disappointed to see a less than stellar cabin noise rating. Please recommend the tires you would change to in order to improve the decibel result. A very important factor to me. Thank you Alex
Thanks for the Christmas video
ive only seen this car 3x in california. beautiful car
The LS is a little above my pay grade. I'm thinking G90 with the 5.0L V8 in 2023 (My original Genesis will be 10 years old then, with zero repairs)
LUXURY MEANS: Not having a CVT.
Amen to that! Lexus sure knows how to take care of their 80+ year old customers!
This is not cvt…
@@jackz4149 -- They mixed the real gears of an automatic with a CVT. So, yes -- it has a CVT.
@@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow an eCVT, not quite the same as normal CVTs
Why?
Merry Christmas Alex! $40k for a battery replacement in the S-Class is a total deal-breaker for buying one. Guess that’s why people lease them, but then you wouldn’t make the money back on the fuel savings due to the mileage limit and short “ownership”.
Yes but then you'd lease the V8.
@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 actually the one Alex was talking about was an S400, which was sold in the early 2010s. Hopefully the battery in the new MB hybrids are cheaper to replace.
@@garrettw99 I don't expect much difference lol.
For someone buying new every few years, reliability won't be as strong a selling point. But the residual value of lexus is strong because you know with just normal maintenance it'll still be as good in 20 years time as it was when new.
Do you have thoughts on a used Lexus SUV for $20k or under?
Full replacement cost for the Lexus battery pack by the dealer is only $6k? And you can recondition your old Prius battery packs for considerably less like a thousand dollars just by replacing the defective units in the pack. If the cost of replacing the Mercedes battery pack is $40k then you might as well strap a bunch of dynamite to it and blow it to pieces at the local rock quarry. It’s not worth saving. Yeah, give me the Lexus.
Hi Alex,any thoughts on the long term reliability of engine and transmission for mdx type s please ??
The Lexus LS is certainly a fine, capable, and reliable luxury car. I'm in the minority, but I actually like the exterior design. Due to its proportions, it seems to best integrate Lexus' design philosophy over other vehicles.
That said, there are reasons it doesn't do better in the class. The interior packaging, as is the case with most of Toyota's TNGA-platformed cars, is below most in the class.(reliability isn't enough to rest on since so many of the vehicles in this class are leased and returned before reliability issues rise).The rear seat area doesn't appear to be much bigger than what you'd get in something like a Honda Accord or VW Arteon, let alone the truly opulent S-Class or A8. I do appreciate that Lexus infused a different luxury environment than the normal leather and woods, but it just seems to be "busy" rather than cohesive or continuous. The gauge cluster is from 2012 and seriously played out, and the details like updated the head unit but leaving the rear screen on the old graphics would drive my OCD to the moon! But if you must have one, this is certainly the model to get. The 3.5TT is known to have a few reliability issues(oil consumption and fuel system issues).
During the recent media event announcing Toyota's major plunge into electric cars we saw CEO Akio Toyoda acting as MC. He looks to be about 5'5" and he is regularly mentioned as being influential in Toyota's new designs. Would it be reasonable to say - if an interior is big enough for Akio, it is big enough for Toyota?
In Europe we have the short wheelbase 7-series, S-Class and Audi A8 but even those are more spacious than the LS.
@@rightlanehog3151 It's not big enough if you're selling to the average American.
Agreed. There must be something in the TNGA platform that made all new Toyota cars less space efficient than their predecessors
I believe the Accord actually has more rear seat legroom than this.
I can't believe that Lexus doesn't offer a panoramic roof on the LS....
Merry Christmas to you and your family Alex from mine
Excellent review. Since it's inception the LS has been built in one plant located in Tahara Japan. Lexus mantra is the, "Pursuit of Excellence" and they mean it. For me Quality and dependability is paramount when I purchase a vehicle. If you buy a vehicle and keep it for a long time or you buy a used Luxury vehicle get the Lexus.
Lexus no longe has the pursuit of excellence
Genesis and acura hold those titles now
@@naveenthemachine, they make excellent vehicles. However, I worked for a major manufacture for 40 years and had access to different manufacturers warranty numbers. Lexus always had the least amount of issues. Mind you no one makes a bad vehicle today. Cheers!
I just took delivery of the 2022 ES300h. Is the LS worth more than double the price?
Is it better? Yes. Is it worth it? No.
@@CrazyWeeMonkey Agree wholeheartedly
ES is the only car that I think it's worth buying from Lexus now. All other cars are just too old with old technology.
@@b1uezea1ot honestly I think Lexus is a value play now. We have purchased a new RX and IS over the past few years and they provide amazing value. Not exciting but practical luxury.
@@b1uezea1ot the only Toyota or Lexus models I’d recommend are the v6 Camry, is500, LC500, RC F, gx460, RWD Mirai.
Everything else yeah I don’t think so
I own A ES 350 and A 350RX the best cars I have ever owned. If I compare my experience with my sister who owns a big Mercedes S UV the difference is I change the oil and drive and she is constantly at the dealership. I will never buy another car unless it is A Lexus.
Here’s 2025 and this is one of my most desirable cars.
I wish they still had a GS model in the line up. I’d have a hard time buying a non-turbo car and while the ES ticks pretty much every box, it has no turbo nor the AWD option of the LS.
not into full size sedans but if i was i would take a seriouse look at the genesis and bmw
Is that really what your garden looks like in December, Alex, or was this recorded earlier?
alex i love how technical you are, and appreciate your in depth reviews of areas of cars, seats for example at 6:18. have you thought of doing a spreadsheet on google docs for folks to search dependent on their criteria? someone may be chasing a car with top end sound, or a large rear area, small footprint etc, the spreadsheet would allow someone to narrow down the search.
LS all the way
Reliability could definitely be luxurious, considering the British and Germans seem to chase a form then engineer the function, where Lexus and Toyota really bake it in.
The dread of walking out to an electrical nightmare or only having options that weren't nickel and dimed out of you is enough to steer people to something that doesn't pretend that it's an F1 car and works, every time.
Although I can't find the article I think your point about design is actually the opposite, at least in one case. When they worked on the Z4/Supra Toyota was surprised that BMW set the hardpoints of the car and then designed around them rather than Toyota's approach of designing the exterior and then interior.
You said at the beginning of the video 2021 yet title of video says 2022, which is it Alex?
Once Genesis comes out G90 hybrid or EV it will give Lexus a run for its money
Not just that. The g90 will terminate the LS entirely. Eventually genesis will end Lexus altogether just like genesis has ended infiniti
If I had to rank my requirements for a luxury car:
1. Reliability
2. Luxury
3. Fuel Economy
4. Tech
5. Sporty Feel
I’m the type of person to not like sportier handling cars, and that’s why I’m not a big fan of BMW. Mercedes-Benz is right on the line of being a sporty brand, but I still feel like it would have a comfortable ride. If I was in the market for a large luxury sedan, I’d go with the Lexus LS500h in a heartbeat, but I’d also add the AWD.
To me, reliability is an expectation, not a luxury. Few exceptions (and brand reputations) aside, I don't worry about any new car leaving me on the side of the road. Maintenance & repair costs are what give me pause.
If you’re buying a Lexus reliability shouldn’t matter in some cases
If you want reliability forget Lexus. Get a Toyota. You save tens of thousands of dollars and have lower cost of operation. The dealer experience is nice but only if your Lexus breaks all the time. You’re essentially paying for a one time luxury dealer experience
@@naveenthemachine I agree that an "elevated" dealership experience is not worth the cost, especially since I'd rather not be sitting waiting around at all. I own a Stinger GT and my Kia dealership has a shuttle service that will take you to your work and pick you up when the service is finished (they have loaners for long term repairs). I don't want to sit in a fancy leather chair in a waiting room, I want to get on with my day.
LS hybrid I will pay for
Other brands I will lease
The LS will be my “just in case” car, meaning if I lose my money, I have a nice car that won’t give me money problems when I lack the funds to live extravagant
Merry Christmas Alex, Team Alex on Autos and Subscribers!! You asked how we define luxury so here is my best approximation, luxury is comfort, power, quiet and quality in abundance. In my book quality = reliability so that leaves the Germans, Italians, British and Detroit 3 out. Recently Toyota Motor Corporation surprised us with an entirely different RWD Hybrid design in the Tundra where they added a pancake* electric motor between the engine and 10 speed transmission. What does that development say about the future of the Hybrid system used in the LS and LC? Getting back to comfort, it is a crying shame this luxurious LS has removed far too much rear seat headroom to be comfortable for taller passengers. Alex, next Christmas I hope Toyota sends you their top car the Century to see how it compares to this humble LS.
Yeah, retune the 10 speed and put that hybrid Tundra powertrain in the LS as the standard powertrain.
The LS isn’t practical at all. So much so that according to throttle house, the short wheelbase LS460 has way more interior space than the long wheelbase LS500. Currently even a Camry has a bit more interior legroom and headroom lol
@@naveenthemachine it seems a lot of new cars are getting to be like that. One that comes to mind is the Acura TLX being smaller than a Honda Accord. Possibly even smaller than a Civic inside.
@@garrettw99 yeah. It’s odd I know.
@@rightlanehog3151 Not really.
00:24 What’s wrong with you??????!!!!! WE WANT ALL OF THOSE THINGS!!!!!!!!!!! Comfort, style, performance, reliability, safety. Name me one ID!0T that Durant want one of these things. Automakers have a lot of room to improve and I’m glad to see Tesla leading this change. Except for reliability, which is improving, the Tesla model S is the closest to checking all of the boxes, which is why Consumer Reports said it was the BEST car they had EVER tested.
He's talking about luxury cars not tesla's
Lmaoooo ew
Is there any Lexus SUV car that is also hybrid?
For me Mercedes Benz defined luxury with the S Class until the 1992 model. It mixed built as a tank, cars lasting decades and reliable technology. Lexus copied that and kind of kept it going. The Germans lost it after that and deviated towards technology for the sake of it and lease time lasting reliability.
the 1992 S class W140 was the best one of them all
@@kristians2704 indeed. The gold standard.
Toyota actually. I heard the Japanese sent their people to California to check what Americans want in a luxury car.
I had a pair of $600 Shoes that were quite beautiful, but also quite uncomfortable and impractical. The question that I always asked myself when wearing them was: “Is this really what is considered luxury?” Or, “what does luxury mean?” The answer that I eventually arrived at was Luxury is what the name suggests: something you don’t need, an extravagance. However, what I also learned, and what I gained from having those shoes was though was that, while luxury may be defined as an extravagant and totally unnecessary item, it should/must also always provide value. If something is expensive and beautiful, but it is a pain in the behind, is it really a luxury, or has it actually become a nuisance?In other words, if we have something that is beautiful and brings joy, but we can’t use it because, through using it, it eventually becomes something that brings pain, is it truly bringing joy? Does joy have to last? These are questions that I still ask myself.
Lexus is the benchmark, period.
Said literally no one ever 😂
Mercedes bmw genesis are the benchmarks