Its rare to hear the Lexus LS and Acura NSX mentioned in the same breath, but both cars have accomplished similar goals.
When it debuted in 1989, the LS asserted the power of the Japanese car industry by trouncing the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in quality and reliability, just as the NSX stuck it to Italian exotics like Ferrari by proving that a supercar doesnt need to hemorrhage oil and torture its driver to be super.
Fast forward to 2013, and the LS has become an established player in the full-size luxury sedan segment, carrying the Lexus flag into battle against the S-Class, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Jaguar XJ.
Is this 21st century Lexus a world-beater, like the original? We grabbed the key fob of a top-of-the-line LS600h L to find out.
Best of both worlds?
Most carmakers put a big V12 in the most expensive version of their most expensive car, but Lexus decided to go green and make the LS600h L a hybrid (hence the h, the L denotes the cars long wheelbase).
The silence afforded by electricity does wonders for the driving experience.
The V8 produces 389 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motor contributes 221 horses for a total system output of 438.
The EPA rates fuel economy at 19 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. In theory, the hybrid powertrain should give the LS600 the power of a V12 and the fuel economy of a smaller engine.
However, the numbers dont quite add up. A BMW 750Li, equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, has a little more power (445 hp) and gets nearly the same mpg (16 city/24 hwy/19 combined).
Lexus owners wont be able to brag to their golf buddies about ultimate horsepower or mpg, but the LS hybrid heart does start to make sense once you press the start button.
Pressing that button doesnt cause a savage roar to be emitted from the engine compartment; if the gauges and infotainment screen didnt flicker on, it would be hard to tell that the LS600 was actually running. Thats because, like all hybrids, it can operate on electricity alone.
The silence afforded by electricity does wonders for the driving experience. Its not very dramatic, but theres a reason why carmakers spend so much money on sound deadening. Luxury car buyers, especially those who go for enormous barges like this one, want a bit of serenity.
The LS600 delivers that in spades. Running on batteries, the loudest noise is the air conditioner. Even when the gasoline engine is on, it tends to hover around 1,500 rpm while cruising, not calling any attention to itself.
Work that engine a little harder, and the LS600 feels every bit as quick as its claimed 5.6-second 0 to 60 mph time as a wave of torque pushes you past lesser cars wallowing in the right lane.
Driveability
Its easy to be overwhelmed by the LS600s bulk, but it handles reasonably well for a large car, negotiating twisting back roads and McDonalds drive-throughs without causing too much unease. From behind the wheel, drivers will notice the controls relaxed response and, while wed always prefer something a little sharper, its totally appropriate for this type of car.
The air suspension and electric power steering follow the same beat as the smooth-but-silent powertrain. The controls are responsive, but this is definitely more of a boulevard cruiser than a Nurburgring taxi. That V8/electric motor combo might be able to summon brief bursts of torque for quick acceleration, but the rest of the chassis is quick to remind the driver of the LS true mission.
The LS600 also comes with a choice of driving modes that alter different vehicle parameters.
Eco Mode turns the gas pedal to mush, and is best saved for emergencies. Comfort splits the difference between Eco and the default Normal, and Sport S and Sport S+ are, well, sporty. The biggest difference between the normal and Sport modes is replacement of the standard economy gauge (it swings from Charge to Power, depending on the engines mood) with a tachometer. From the drivers seat, the difference isnt really apparent.
Theres also an EV Mode that requires you to drive as if the throttle was an eggshell. The best bet is to leave things in Normal Mode.
A blind spot detection system, with illuminated signals in the side view mirrors, and Lexus Park Assist, which produces a chirp when the LS gets too close to another car or a land mine while parking. Both features perform as advertised and are genuinely helpful when maneuvering this titanic ride in tight confines.
A bamboo-lined living room
Of course, drivers may not even want to go anywhere in their LSes because the cabin is a very nice place to be, even while youre sitting in traffic.
The optional Mark Levinson Reference sound system brings 19 speakers and 450 watts to the party, and there are plenty of ways to fill it with tunes.
The seats are comfortable, and the car feels twice as spacious inside as it appears from the outside. Thats particularly true for rear seat passengers: our long wheelbase version had enough rear legroom to ensure that passengers knees will never even be in the same time zone as the backs of the front seats.
The interior doesnt have the avant garde design of an A8s or XJs, but it is functional. The instrument panel and 12.3-inch infotainment screen are easy to read, and Lexus Remote Touch Interface controller is among the most intuitive of its kind. The mouse-like design has some tactile feedback and moves from button to button automatically, making screen navigation faster.
Our review car was veneered with the optional bamboo trim which contrasted nicely with the tan and gray interior fabrics and the Deep Sea Mica exterior. Also, unlike the wood trim in many other cars, it looks and feels like it actually came from a tree.
The optional Mark Levinson Reference sound system brings 19 speakers and 450 watts to the party, and there are plenty of ways to fill it with tunes. Drivers have a choice of: AM/FM/satellite radio, USB, wireless syncing through Lexus Entune system, or the Enform App Suite, which includes music streaming services like Pandora.
Still, all of those infotainment functions can be distracting. Luckily, Lexus included a second set of climate and audio controls in the rear center armrest for a co-pilot to operate. Or, better yet, you could stay in the back and hire someone else to do all of that pesky steering and braking for you.
The LS600 would make an excellent limo. Its relaxed driving dynamics, plus the seemingly infinite rear legroom, make it the perfect car for people with chauffeurs. With those comfy chairs and control of whats being piped through the speakers, it really does seem like Lexus designed this car from the back forward. Once youre actually sitting back there, the temptation to never leave and spend the rest of your life trading in bundled mortgage derivatives is strong.
Back seat riders also get shiatsu massaging seats, although theyre more Brookstone than five-star spa.
Even further back, the trunk is deceptively small. It should be able to handle a suitcase or golf bag, but it couldnt accommodate a mini fridge that needed transporting (the mini fridge, of course, being an industry-standard unit of measurement).
The wrapper
Once your ensconced in that leather-and-bamboo lounge, its easy to forget about what the LS actually looks like, but no one wants to look vapid in front of the proles.
The unwashed masses will probably be gaping at the LS600s size. Its long wheelbase and relatively tall stance give it a lot of bulk, making it look a bit like an angry taxi.
Eagle-eyed carspotters know that this LS is actually a facelift of the 2007-2012 model, sporting Lexus new Spindle Grille, LED headlights, and taillights with L-shaped elements.
Thats not a bad thing though; the 2013 LS wears its facelift well. Its not a fashion item like the Jaguar XJ, but theres something to be said for Lexus more subtle design tactics. This is a car that shouldnt look good, but it does.
Conclusion
When the original LS400 launched at the end of the Cold War, it redefined what a luxury car was. The 2013 LS600h L does not do that, and if buyers can get over that fact, they should be more than satisfied.
From the hybrid powertrain to the tech to the styling, the LS does many things well, but it wont be making any headlines. For a flagship car that starts at $119,910, thats a problem. Owners want to have the latest and greatest, and carmakers want a vehicle that can lend its prestige to the rest of the lineup.
The LS600h L isnt an image maker, but it is a very good luxury car.
Highs
- Hybrid powertrain returns decent mpg and a refined driving experience
- Impressive sound system with plenty of media options
- Well-designed interior
Lows
- Needs either more power or dramatically better fuel economy to stand apart from competition
- Handling is more 1970s American than 2013 European
- Small trunk
The ultraluxe 2013 Lexus LS 600h L impresses with power and amenities that are among the best in this class, but they come at a price many thousands of
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