2008 Lexus LS 600h L Review

PROS
Post interior, Limousine-like ride and room, Powerful and fuel efficient engine

CONS
Small trunk, Sloppy handling, High price of admission

Introduced in 1990, the original LS set the luxury-car world on its ear with a powerful V8 engine and base price of $35,000. The LS cost thousands less than rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even Cadillac. It quickly became one of the most popular large luxury sedans in the U.S.

In 2007, Lexus completely redesigned the LS and added a long-wheelbase model. The LS 460 is slightly longer and wider than the model it replaces and similar in size to the Audi A8 and Cadillac DTS. The stretched version is called LS 460 L. Its 4.8 inches longer than the standard LS, with almost all of the added length going to rear-seat leg room. The 460 L matches up to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and long-wheelbase versions of the A8, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ8, and Lincoln Town Car.

Also added in '07 was an industry-first eight-speed automatic transmission and a hybrid model called the LS 600h L. The 460 and 460 L are rear-wheel drive and get the eight-speed automatic. They are powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that packs 380 horsepower and 367 pounds-feet of torque. The LS 600h L comes with all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain that features a 5.0-liter V8 and two electric motors combine to produce 438-horsepower and mate to a continuously variable automatic transmission.

The hybrid system is similar to those used on the Toyota Prius and Camry. It will operate the vehicle in electric-only mode at low speeds and shut off the engine when appropriate at stoplights. The batteries are recharged in deceleration and when cruising so there is no need to plug in at night.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes, brake assist, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, and front, front side, front knee, and curtain side airbags. Front and rear obstacle detection, a rearview camera, rear side airbags, a rear seat airbag, and a pre-collision safety system are available options.

Standard equipment on the 460 includes power tilt-telescope steering wheel, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, 16-way power driver seat with memory, wood interior trim, keyless starting, 6-disc CD changer with auxiliary input, sunroof, front and rear illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, power rear sunshade, power trunk closer, theft-deterrent system, high-intensity-discharge headlamps, and fog lamps. The 460 L adds heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, power door closers, navigation system with traffic information and voice recognition, rearview camera, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, satellite radio, and headlight washers.

Hybrid models add all-wheel drive, front- and rear-obstacle detection systems Mark Levinson audio system with 6-disc CD changer, digital hard drive, alacantara headliner, automatic and driver-adjustable suspension.

Two rear-seat comfort packages are available. The Upgrade Package adds rear side airbags, special leather upholstery, heated and cooled power rear seats with memory, four-zone automatic climate control, rear-seat cooler box, rear radio control, and power side sunshades. Executive Class Seating Package adds right-rear seat cushion airbag, center console, right-rear seat power recliner with leg rest, massaging right-rear seat, right-rear seat fold-down tray, and DVD video entertainment system.

Key options include a self parking system that turns the steering wheel when parallel parking or backing into spaces and a Mark Levinson Audio system with hard-drive music file storage. The Touring Package adds uprated brakes, variable-ratio power steering, and air suspension. Pre-Collision System adds pre-crash safety system, adaptive cruise control.

Base price for the LS 460 is $61,500. LS 460 L starts at $71,500. The LS 460h L has a base price of $104,000. All have a destination charge of $765.

Get up and Go
The hybrid powertrain doesn't operate smoothly as the standard V8. There's some hesitation at tip in as the gas engine starts up and also when transitioning between throttle settings. One thing the 600h isn't short on is power. The engine/electric motor combination provides ample thrust for every situation. Lexus doesn't quote a 0-60 mph time but it's easily less than six seconds and comparable with like-priced competitors.

The hybrid system has an electric-only button that will allow for electric operation at speeds below 20 mph for a short distance provided the battery is adequately charged. In practice, it works best in parking lots where speeds are slow and the driving distance is short.

Lacking traditional gear ratios, the transmission does a good job of balancing power and acceleration and keeping the engine in its most fuel efficient range when cruising. If more acceleration is necessary, the transmission instantly allows the engine RPMs to climb to provide the additional power.

The all-wheel-drive system does not have a low range and is not intended for off-road use. Unlike the all-electric all-wheel-drive system on the Lexus RX Hybrid, the LS all-wheel drive features a transfer case connected to the transmission and front wheels. It's seamless in operation and works to help deliver power to the wheels with the most traction on slippery roads.

The LS 460h L is EPA rated at 20 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Those numbers are considerably better than V8-powered luxury sedans and on par with V6-powered midsize cars. In routine driving expect to average about 20 mpg, perhaps 23 mpg if you have a light throttle foot. Lexus says that the LS hybrid requires premium-grade fuel.

On the Road
The original Lexus LS favored ride comfort over handling prowess and the '08 version is no different. Set in comfort mode, the LS 460h L's air suspension provides a cushy and comfortable ride. In other words, unless the bump is large, you don't feel it. Still, there's a fair amount of float at highway speeds and the car bobs up and down on bumpy roads.

When set to sport, the most of the bobbing and bouncing are eliminated and body motions are kept in check. The ride grows slightly firmer, but not so much so that driver's can't leave the setting in sport mode all of the time.

On twisty roads, the LS 460 L set in comfort mode handles like a traditional American sedan or perhaps, dare I say, a Toyota Camry. There's lots of body lean and too much nose dive in braking. A flip of the switch to sport and the LS gets a wake up call. Body lean is greatly reduced and that alone gives drivers more confidence when tackling expressway on ramps and curvy roads. Even in sport mode, the suspension doesn't give the LS moves to match the BMW 7-Series or Audi A8, but it doesn't have to shy away from enthusiastic driving any more.

Because the LS 460h L is a hybrid that can potentially operate in electric-only mode, the steering is has electric assist rather than hydraulic assist. Regardless, it is light, but dead accurate and tracks straight and true on the highway. Brakes are impressively strong but the pedal is very sensitive and that makes modulation difficult. In hard braking it is too easy to oscillate between too much and too little force, leading to jerky stops.

The self parking feature works as advertised as long as conditions are ideal (the parking space is the right size, you have positioned the car in the right spot, there's no traffic behind, etc.). Given that LS has available front and rear backup sensors and an available backup monitor, it's really nothing more than a novelty.

The LS is one of the quietest cars on the road. The engine is nearly silent when cruising and only subtly noticeable in hard acceleration. On the highway there's very little wind or road noise.

Behind the Wheel
I call the LS a "personal decompression chamber." It is one of those rare vehicles that leaves you feeling refreshed after a hard commute. It is so quiet, so calming, and so comfortable that it actually lowers your stress level as you drive. Materials and fit and finish are top notch. Surfaces are nicely padded and doors and switches are nicely damped.

Though the LS offers every modern convenience known to motoring, it's isn't as complicated to operate as some of its European competition. That's because it doesn't have a central command system or a multi-function interface. Audio and climate controls are blended between simple buttons and knobs and clear touch-screen presses. Some ancillary controls are tucked away behind the steering wheel, but they are the kind you set and forget. Even the navigation system is fairly easy to program, though the voice system is not as intuitive as those found on Honda and Acura vehicles.

One very nice feature is the real-time traffic reporting that is displayed on the navigation screen. It is provided via the XM radio signal and marks urban expressways in green, yellow, or red. This is very helpful in deciding routing during rush hours. In addition, the navigation system makes alternative recommendations based on traffic conditions and will display the time differences in the routes.

Up front, there's plenty of leg and head room for large adults. The seats are extremely comfortable and offer excellent padding. On the 460h L they are heated or cooled and the available 16-way power driver seat has a seat cushion that moves forward independently of the rest of the seat. This is a great feature for long-legged adults and found only a few luxury cars. The power tilt-telescope steering wheel makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position and the tall windows and thin pillars help outward visibility.

The rear compartment in the LS 460h L is about as roomy as you'll find in any limousine. The seats themselves are comfortable and supportive. The myriad of rear controls include power seats, individual temperate settings, and full audio system access. The available cooler box is a nice touch, but it will only hold smaller bottles of water or 12-ounce pop cans. The driveline hump is fairly large and limits the usefulness of the center seat.

Perhaps the greatest downfall of the LS hybrid is its compact trunk. The rear air conditioning, volume shrinks cargo volume to 12.0 cubic feet. That's enough room for two sets of golf clubs and perhaps a couple of overnight bags, but no more. In addition, the power hinges for the trunk eat into available space. Inside, there's plenty of storage space and even a couple of handy hidden bins for smaller items.

Lexus is one of the first automakers to offer hard-drive storage of music files on a vehicle's audio system. It's a nice feature, but it takes time to load all of your music into the system. A better solution for audiophiles might be for Lexus to offer a USB connector and iPod compatibility. BMW and some other manufacturers do this. It's convenient and limits the number of places you must upload songs. (Anyone who can afford LS can certainly afford an iPod.)

On the other hand, having a portable hard drive in your car allows you to store stuff like phone numbers, addresses, movies, games, etc. This could be very useful for a family vehicle like a minivan or a midsize sport-utility vehicle.

Bottom Line
The latest LS is a fantastic car and more traditionally American compared to European rivals. Where they lean toward sport, the LS favors comfort. With a starting price north of $60,000, you know you're getting a good car, but, as a bonus, the LS is easier to operate and every bit as luxurious.

If you are looking for a driver's luxury sedan, perhaps the LS isn't for you. If you're looking for a comfortable, refined, and roomy luxury car, there's really no reason to look anywhere else.

The 460h L is an altogether different proposition. At $104,000, you're getting a fully-loaded LS with a very unique powertrain. It has all the power of a V8 luxury sedan with the fuel economy of a midsize sedan. Given the price, the fuel savings is more of an environmental statement than a financial opportunity.