The Lexus LS is the flagship full-size luxury sedan in the Lexus fleet. It was first introduced in 1989, and its strong sales were one of the major reasons behind the success of the Lexus marque.
The 2016 Lexus LS600h L is the 4th generation of the model and is the plugin hybrid version. The car also the long wheelbase version of the sedan, which is the 'L' stands for in the name. Under the hood the car has a powerful 5.0 liter V8 and together with two electric motors, making the power of the car 389hp.
The LS600h L is available only in one trim, which is the long wheelbase hybrid version with all-wheel drive, hence the L' at the end of the car's name. However, the car can be bought with the "Executive Class Seating" pack which replaces the rear middle seat with a rear center console, a power ottoman, rear DVD/Blu-Ray, and additional massage functions for the right passenger seat.
Trims |
600h L |
---|---|
MSRP |
$120,440 |
Key Features |
Glass Sunroof, Front Row |
19-inch Aluminum Wheels |
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Dual-zone automatic climate control, Front Row |
|
Rear Air-conditioning with independent controls |
|
Heated seats, Front Row |
|
SiriusXM AM/FM/HD/Satellite Radio |
|
Remote keyless entry |
|
Rear Fog/driving lights |
|
Heated mirrors |
|
Rain-sensing Windshield wipers |
|
Leather Seats |
|
Lumbar support on all seats |
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Navigation system |
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Parking assist |
The most luxurious offering by Lexus comes in just a single option.
The Lexus LS family has one of the best reputations among luxury cars; it's hard to name a single area in which these big, spacious sedans don't delight those who want top-tier comfort and technology. -The Car Connection
This Lexus Limo comes with only one engine option, the 5.0 liter V8 that makes 389hp and 385 lb.-ft. of torque. It is paired to two electric motors, one starter motor and the main generator for the car, while the other motor powers the rear wheels and uses regenerative braking to replenish charge. The total power produced by the powertrain is 438hp. The car has a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which delivers power to all the four wheels and has 8 manual gear presets. The car does 0 to 60 mph is about 6.4 seconds which is definitely not best in class, despite having big power on paper.
The car comes with four different driving modes other than the normal mode, those can be selected from the center console. These are: Eco, Comfort, Sport S, and Sport Plus. The Comfort mode makes the ride much softer and comfortable as the name suggests while the Sport S and Sport plus modes attempt to make the ride a little sportier by stiffening up the suspension and improve cornering. However, this is still a full-size luxury sedan and weighs like one too so, it cannot be expected to go around corners like a sports car.
Models |
Lexus LS 600hL |
Mercedes S 550e |
Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$120,440 |
$95,650 |
$93,200 |
Engine |
5.0-liter V8 |
3.0-liter V6 |
3.0-liter V6 |
Transmission |
CVT with fixed ratios and manual controls |
7-speed automatic with manual controls |
8-speed automatic with manual controls |
Horsepower |
389 @ 6,400 rpm |
329 @ 5,250 rpm |
333 @ 5,500 rpm |
Torque (lb.-ft.) |
385 @ 4,000 rpm |
354 @ 1,600 rpm |
325 @ 3,000 rpm |
0-60 MPH (sec) |
6.0 |
5.0 |
5.4 |
Quarter mile (sec) |
14.4 |
13.6 |
13.8 |
Braking 60-0 MPH (ft.) |
124 |
107.7 |
101 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
5,115 |
4,729 |
4,619 |
The main objective for anyone to buy a hybrid in this time and age would be the guilt they might carry about their carbon footprint, and the hybrid car is an attempt to do something about it. If this, in fact, is true for the buyer of the LS600h L, then this is not the car for them.
Fuel economy is not where this car shines, losing out to not only its hybrid counterparts like the Mercedes S550e, which has a range of 20 miles from just its electric motors, and the Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid, a more fuel efficient and sportier car to drive but also other luxury sedans with just gas burning engines like the Audi A8 and the BMW 7-series both of which has turbo-charged engines with better fuel economy.
Hence, if the buyer is in the market for luxury but also is conscious about their impact on the environment and the climate, they might be better off with the Mercedes, or even a Tesla.
Model |
Lexus LS 600hL |
Mercedes S550e |
Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
19 |
24 |
23 |
MPG (highway) |
23 |
30 |
29 |
MPG (combined) |
20 |
27 |
26 |
"Plastic" seems to be a four-letter word to LS designers, as the cabin is cloaked in leather and wood of impeccable quality and craftsmanship. -Edmunds
The interior of the car is plush with every kind of luxury and technological bells and whistles one would expect from a car of this segment and price. The interior is lined with high-quality materials like leather, suede, and wood to give the passenger a taste of true luxury and there isn't one bit of cheap materials like plastic to be seen anywhere.
The cabin during the drive is extremely quiet and comfortable, with no noise from the engine or the traffic penetrating the interior. The suspension does an excellent job absorbing any bumps and uneven roads, masking the rider from the discomforts of badly maintained roads. The plush and cushy leather seats only elevate the luxurious experience. The driver's seat is twelve-way power adjustable, and the passenger seat is ten-way power adjustable. All seats have memory settings and are heated and cooled, with the passenger seats even having massage functions. The steering wheel is heated and wrapped in leather as expected and comes with power tilt and telescopic adjustment capabilities. The rear seats also house a refrigerator.
The car comes with 12.3-inch infotainment display, reversing camera, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system along with a six-disc changer, satellite and HD radio, and a rear seat control console.
Model |
Lexus LS 600hL |
Mercedes S550e |
Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid |
---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume in trunk (cu.-ft.) |
10.1 |
16 |
11.8 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.0/58.5/44.0 |
39.7/59.7/41.4 |
38.0/51.9/41.9 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.0/56.4/36.7 |
39.2/59.1/43.0 |
38.2/51.7/33.3 |
It's big, handsome, roomy, hedonistic, crackling with electronics and connectivity, and readily identifiable as a new Lexus offering, thanks to the so-called spindle grille that distinguishes the division's latest styling ethos. -Car and Driver
The LS 600h L is the long wheelbase luxury limousine, as stated earlier. The exterior styling has been refreshed for this generation, with the introduction of the now iconic and instantly recognizable spindle' grill. The hood, front fenders, headlamps also saw a redesign to go with the massive new grill with an additional new front bumper. Other parts of the exterior like the trunk-lid, tail lamps, and the rear fender also got some redesign.
The overall striking and angular design of the car gives it a very distinctive and original look, making it very easy to recognize. The car looks every bit of the flagship luxury sedan that it is and there will be no mistaking it for just another sensible Japanese sedan, or for any of its German counterparts. The decent ground clearance the car provides means that it is capable of navigating even the more treacherous kinds of roads with ease.
Model |
Lexus LS 600hL |
Mercedes S550e |
Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid |
---|---|---|---|
Length(in) |
205.0 |
206.5 |
197.4 |
Width(in) |
73.8 |
74.8 |
76.0 |
Height(in) |
58.3 |
58.8 |
55.8 |
Ground clearance (in) |
5.1 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
Wheelbase (in) |
121.7 |
124.6 |
115.0 |
Track width (in) F/R |
63.6/63.4 |
63.9/64.5 |
65.3/65.4 |
The Lexus 600h L comes with Lexus' Enform Safety Connect which provides the rider the ability to communicate with the emergency services, should the near arise. Other safety features include traction and stability controls, front, rear and side curtain airbags, blind spot monitoring. The car also has the optional adaptive cruise control with an early collision-system, which prepares the car systems in the event of an imminent collision.
Lexus LS600h L vs Mercedes S-class hybrid
The hybrid Mercedes costs significantly lesser than the Lexus and is not only quicker but also much more fuel efficient. It also carries the Mercedes S-Class name with it which in itself can be a huge plus since it comes with a large brand cache and can be a matter of prestige for the owner. Even though the Lexus is no slouch when it comes to luxury and can be a better option for someone looking for a more reliable luxury flagship sedan, it falls behind the prestige of the 3-point star.
Lexus LS600h L vs Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid
The Porsche also commands a lesser premium than the Lexus, which when coupled with the Porsche name and legacy, can be a tough competitor to beat. A vision of its own, the Panamera is also much more fuel efficient and rather more fun to drive. This, however, can be the deciding factor for the buyer, that whether they want a sportier car with lesser comfort in the Porsche, or be chauffeured around the truly luxurious but a little dull to drive Lexus.
The Lexus 600h L does justice to its history and position as the flagship luxury sedan in the Lexus fleet, which every imaginable creature comfort, technological and safety feature. However, the fact that it is a hybrid does it no favors, since the car is no more fuel efficient than even its regular engine rivals. Hence, any potential buyer should consider this car solely for the long wheelbase, the luxury of this car and the reliability it comes with from being a Lexus.