Used 2018 Lexus LS 500h for sale 

The opulent Japanese finesse oozing car goes up against the Germans and the American underdog. The Lexus 500h is a well-equipped car that combines an old school V-6 with a hybrid setup to push the refinement and fuel economy through the roof. Lexus loads the interiors with great fit and finish, though you can optionally upgrade that even further with a few select premium packages. 

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The only trim shall be able to satiate most of the people. Lexus includes a few optional packages, though the sedan itself comes with most of the features already included. The upgraded suspension package with adaptive suspension makes sense as it improves the ride quality even further. All the other touches are subject to personal preferences.

The Lexus uses the power of 354 ponies to generate 295 lb-ft. of power mated to a 4-speed automatic EVT transmission, the pedal response is rather sluggish and underwhelming as compared to some competitors. The 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 feels underpowered although the car always makes the response readily available. The drivetrain can optionally be had in either RWD or AWD.

Sitting comfortably at the bottom of the table the Lexus does not attempt to prove its sportiness as the sedan is mostly focused on ride quality and space. Luxury over performance is what Lexus offers and it delivers on this front. Both the Porsche and the BMW offers blistering amounts of performance, in which the Porsche is the better sedan.

2018 Lexus LS 500h Acceleration and Performance

Even after being a well-endowed car the V6 coupled with a dual electric motor does not translate into good power or acceleration figures. The 5.2s time on the clock may be impressive on paper, the actual acceleration seems exceedingly gradual. Nevertheless, it suits the purpose of the car. And a 5.2s 0-60 time is not bad on any day.

The car even touches the quarter-mile in 12 seconds, which is supremely quick.

The BMW 740e with its large weight and the smaller displacement begins slowing down considerably at the quarter-mile. Although it is marginally faster to 60mph than the Lexus. The Porsche Panamera Hybrid is overall the best performer of the lot.

2018 Lexus LS 500h Ride and handling

Ever since their inception Lexus has dedicated itself to bettering what the German counterparts did the best. Now fast forward to 2018 and you have the Japanese not even trying to one-up everyone. Although the Lexus might be a supreme vehicle on paper, in reality, its driving dynamics are rather lackluster. The car seems clumsy around corners. While most competitors offer rear-wheel steering at this price point, it lacks in the LS 500h.

The pedal response is rather slow and frustrating which ruins the whole ride experience. So if driving was the Achilles heel of the car then the size of the heel is gargantuan and much more significant than previously thought. Although that said, it is quite quick on paper, even though it seems gradual. And the gradual speeding up truly makes the ride quality quite pristine. Also because most of the buyers will be chauffeur-driven it is worth noting that the Hybrid engine manages to give great MPG.

2018 Lexus LS 500h Braking Performance

Equipped with not the biggest brake discs in the segments but the highest curb weight it is no surprise that the Lexus takes 113 ft to come to a halt from 60mph. The 14-inch brake discs in the front and 13 in the back make the Japanese Mastercraft stop 113ft which is impressive considering the fact this is the heaviest of the bunch.

With Japanese wizardry at its side, the Lexus manages to outrank the BMW. the Panamera is the only car that comes with outright racing brakes, which makes it the quickest to come to a stop, and also the easiest to handle.

Offering better mileage than a normal not so environmentally conscious car the Lexus falls behind appallingly short of its competition. The car offers great numbers even with its larger motor, which gives it an outstanding range. With the 22.2 gallon tank, the car can go up to 600 miles. 

The Porsche seems more attuned to performance and offers a measly EV-only range of 86-miles. The BMW is the best in that aspect, where the larger electronic setup gives it 340 miles on a full charge. The gasoline engine seems measly in comparison to the BMW 740e

This is one parameter the Lexus wins hands down. That which might be lacking in its performance is made up for in the deluxe and well-refined interiors. With the origami-Esque intermingling and intricate metal thread work the door handles and the surrounding area exuberate an aura of craftsmanship and attention to detail. There is not a single point that you would notice cheaper materials.

The simple design also has a high attention to detail and most importantly a very long life.

Dimension wise the Lexus comes in the bottom half of the table and lags behind the BMW and the Porsche. The BMW offers the best legroom in the class, though you would be satisfied with almost any car in the lineup, with regards to that aspect. The Lexus interiors reek of opulence and handcrafted luxury that seemingly blends. Some standout interior features are:

• Four-zone climate concierge
• Responsive Seating
• Semi-aniline perforated leather-trimmed interior
• Executive-class seating
• 28-way power front seats with multifunction massage
• Wood and leather-trimmed rear-center console
• Power open/close trunk with kick sensor
• Lexus memory system

2018 Lexus LS 500h Infotainment

The Lexus LS 500h has a variety of technology and features, though its infotainment seems a bit off-point and almost age-old. The display comes with a 12.3-inch HD display. The high-resolution split-screen display has navigation and even a voice assistant included.

Although it can be only operated with the touch-pad in the center console, which itself is rather finicky and hard to get used to. Some standout infotainment features are:

• 23-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound Audio System
• Lexus Enform app suite 2.0
• 12.3-inch infotainment screen
• Drive mode select
• Remote Touchpad
• In-built navigation system
• 12-speaker standard audio

2018 Lexus LS 500h Cargo volume

The boot space is nice and well-made, with material lining throughout. As compared to the non-hybrid variant, the Lexus LS 500, the Lexus 500h has a lesser amount of space, owing to the battery in the boot.

In comparison, the BMW 740e offers a similar amount of space, while the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid lacks by a small margin.

The new Lexus LS 500h speaks of very high standards of build quality. It flaunts its z-shaped headlamps, and DRLs running through along with the hour-glass grille, which all look well fit in place. The Japanese finesse combined with efficiency also makes its presence felt as soon as you look at the car.

Unlike the competition, the car doesn’t offer either a longer or a shorter wheelbase, while the same one should satiate you. The stance itself is lower than any competitor, making it a distinctly visible and attractive sedan. The exteriors now come covered in thick sheet metal, which also adds to the premium quality of the sedan.

The long-wheelbase ensures that the cabin is big, spacious, and roomy. Surpassing each car when the length and width are considered it is safe to say that this is one big car. Cutting through the air with the precision of a katana the Lexus LS 500h manages to capture one's attention too.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has as of yet rated the sedan, owing to its low production volume and premium price. Although like most Toyota cars, the car comes filled to the brim with safety features and technology, all as standard. Lexus even offers the Lexus Safety System+ A as a package which includes some brilliant added features. Some standout safety features in the car are: 

• Lexus CoDrive
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Change Assist
• Front Cross-traffic Alert
• Pre Collision System
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Active Steering Assist
• Lexus Safety Sense 2.0

2018 Lexus LS 500h vs. BMW 740e iPerformance

The Lexus might one-up the German on the interiors front but when all else is considered the Beemer offers a better ride, Better mileage, and better acceleration. So the BMW 7 Series Plug-in Hybrid is the clear winner here. With the class-leading MPG, the BMW is the choice for the environmentally conscious.

2018 Lexus LS 500h vs. Porsche Panamera E-hybrid

The Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid is the German rival that does everything effortlessly and still manages to be the best at what it does. The Porsche also has a distinctly attractive handling and throttle response, making it almost akin to a supercar.

The German rival manages to outclass the Lexus on acceleration and fuel economy and there aren’t many things that you may consider while buying a hybrid.

The Lexus offers a great value for price car, it has great refinement and builds quality. The interiors are a class above most other competitors and come loaded with touches and features. Competitors offer better tech integration in modernity, though the Lexus LS 500h cannot be put off, due to its attention to detail. Overall the car is worth consideration for family buyers, while for people looking for rear seat ride quality it exceeds most competitors and becomes the best car in the class.