Lexus LS500h Executive

More than a flagship model, the Lexus LS is also the standard bearer of the Japanese brand, which for more than 30 years has managed to establish itself permanently in the global automotive landscape as a premium manufacturer. In early 2017 at the Detroit Motor Show, Lexus lifted the veil on the fifth generation of its top-of-the-range sedan by confirming its success in imposing hybrid technology on this segment and by pushing the design gimmicks participating in the installation of a true visual brand identity common to the entire range. Here we try the Facelift version unveiled at the end of 2020.

an old memory 

In 2018, my very esteemed colleague Jean-Baptiste was full of praise during the first discovery on the blog of this fifth generation of Lexus LS. Fascinated for a long time by this car with a delicious taste of exoticism in our French automotive landscape, I have since started thinking about a way to one day allow me to take the wheel of this fabulous beast which persisted in recalling its existence in a corner of my head every time I looked at Lexus trial availability. It ended up gradually slipping out of my mind, helped by the fact that I had strong doubts about the interest for the Japanese brand to offer this kind of car for testing in France in the years to come, as its sales had to be confidential. . What was my surprise a few weeks ago when I discovered during my walks on Instagram a "story" shared by the brand's press officer proudly displaying the Lexus LS500h Facelift for a face to face with the latest generation Mercedes S-Class. The rest you know, a phone call, a reservation for a weekend, and here I am all excited at the idea of ​​finally touching one of the cars that intrigued me the most until then.

Facelift under the radar

To tell you the truth, the passage through the “Facelift” box of the Lexus LS500h had completely passed under the radar for me. It is by noting the recent license plate of the test model that I end up suspecting that something had been brewed in the past months for Lexus to replace its test model with a brand new one. .

On the aesthetic side, the updates remain very thin. The headlights lose their finesse and now form a single compact block, like the stylistic update on the RC coupe, incorporating the typical daytime light signature in the shape of a tick previously placed under the main headlight unit. The front face becomes even more massive, if indeed it was not already massive enough before. At the rear, a single micro-change as well, the lights lose their horizontal chrome and again become more massive. The stern (it's the case to say it given the size) is undoubtedly the part that I like the least on this Lexus LS. Lack of finesse, very American in the lines in short. The fact remains that we agree without difficulty on one thing: the Lexus LS impresses. First of all, because of its size. Its dimensions are enough to attract attention. 5m24 in length, the Lexus LS is positioned from the outset as one of the most imposing in its class. It's 6 cm longer than an Audi A8, 12 more than a BMW 7 Series but 5 less than the latest Mercedes S-Class. Its configuration then. Even if the use of neutral colors suits this sedan marvelously well, the choice of Moon Gray with its pearly touches and depth that are difficult to render in image attracts more than it seems. Finally, the use of chrome in the grille, around the windows, on the door sills, on the trunk and even on the rims is surprising. 12 more than a BMW 7 Series but 5 less than the last Mercedes S-Class. Its configuration then. Even if the use of neutral colors suits this sedan marvelously well, the choice of Moon Gray with its pearly touches and depth that are difficult to render in image attracts more than it seems. Finally, the use of chrome in the grille, around the windows, on the door sills, on the trunk and even on the rims is surprising. 12 more than a BMW 7 Series but 5 less than the last Mercedes S-Class. Its configuration then. Even if the use of neutral colors suits this sedan marvelously well, the choice of Moon Gray with its pearly touches and depth that are difficult to render in image attracts more than it seems. Finally, the use of chrome in the grille, around the windows, on the door sills, on the trunk and even on the rims is surprising.

Simplified range

For this 2021 vintage, exit the 100% thermal with the V6 3.5 L Biturbo of 417 hp, the Lexus LS now offers only one hybrid engine: a V6 3.5 L naturally aspirated of 299 hp associated with a 179 hp electric motor for a combined output of 359 hp. The sedan remains available in 2 or 4 wheel drive. As usual with the Japanese, few or no options available, only the trim levels give you access to a wider choice of equipment. The LS is available in 4 trim levels: Luxury, F-Sport, Executive & Executive Innovation. This last level includes for the first time at Lexus a central digital mirror which sends back the image captured by a camera placed at the level of the license plate, next to the reversing camera. Disconcerting to use and not necessarily very practical.

Private lounge

Let's talk about this interior, which alone deserves a complete article. If the colors chosen do not mark at first sight by their originality, the choice of materials is free from any criticism. Leather covers almost all of the elements on board, except for the lower part of the door panels. The dashboard cap, the glove box, the upper part of the doors, the armrests, the attention paid to every detail flatters the discerning eye. The headliner and the upper part of the door panels are adorned with Alcantara and a black wood veneer that we remember on the inside of the steering wheel rim and around the gear selector. The 12.3-inch central screen is the only update on board and for the occasion, makes using the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-compatible multimedia system particularly easy since it becomes 100% tactile when stationary and on. One wonders then why Lexus saw fit to keep the touch pad with its not very ergonomic use. The front seats are of course electrically adjustable in 18 positions and offer massage, air conditioning and heating from the first trim level. 5 massage modes are available adjustable in intensity on 5 levels. The only fly in the ointment, even if you are going to say that I quibble are ………. floor mats. Not very elegant, coarse seams, surprising finesse and Lexus inscription embroidered in a hurry, one wonders even if these are indeed the carpets specific to the LS. Surprising to find this kind of detail in such a beautiful setting.

The rear seats also deserve attention, especially the right-rear passenger seat. The Lexus LS offers 5 seats as standard, the middle one of which is more like a folding seat. But once this 5th place has been sacrificed and the central armrest lowered, another universe is offered to you. For the rear-right passenger, there are no longer 18 but 22 possible adjustment positions. Individual air conditioning, electric sun blinds on the passenger windows, the two rear quarter panels on each side and also the rear window (can be triggered from the driving position), 7 possible massage functions at 5 intensity levels, two tablets touch screens, HDMI port, DVD/Blue-ray player,the place to be on board this Lexus LS. Of course, this is nothing new. Many manufacturers have been offering this kind of seat on their flagships for several decades now, but for me this is the very first time that I have been able to experience this kind of position on board a car and I am not sulking about my pleasure.

On the road, calm and serenity

If the performance displayed is almost surprising in terms of the weight/power ratio, everything on board this Lexus LS exudes calm and serenity, each body movement, each acceleration, each braking requires to be meticulously broken down to adopt a senator's rhythm. as neutral as possible and do not rush your passengers, who at this price level will often be “important” people. Businessmen, ambassadors, statesmen, wealthy owners and the best. The 0 to 100 km / h is shot in 5.5 seconds, the same time as a Yaris GR to compare. As you can imagine, the character of the two beasts is nonetheless poles apart. Associated with a 10-speed gearbox (the same as on the Lexus LC500), the naturally aspirated 3.5 L V6 turns out to be rather noisy at the slightest frank request. It must be said that the automatic transmission is in fact a converter box (aaah the mythical Toyota CVTs) with artificial complementary ratios and is therefore not befitting war on rhythmic driving but rather favors a stabilized speed at low revs for the benefit of the tranquility of your passengers via spectacular soundproofing and fuel consumption easily maintained under 9 L / 100 km on the highway.

The Lexus LS500h embeds all the driving aids allowing level 2 autonomous driving. Its driving is very smooth, starting with the handling of the two pedals. A slight pressure on the accelerator pedal will wake up the V6 whose discreet purr will not disturb the peace of mind of your passengers on board and will allow you to get out of almost all situations where gaining speed is necessary. Only the brake pedal requires a little practice before being apprehended perfectly. Low pressure barely slows the LS's almost 2.3 tons empty while a few more millimeters propel the occupants forward via hard braking. A spongy character not so compatible with the driving of a master chauffeur. It is therefore at a steady pace over long journeys that the Lexus demonstrates the full extent of its know-how by offering services worthy of Emirates Airlines Business class, even for the driver. The latter benefits from an absolutely complete and surprisingly wide head-up display containing all the information essential to driving, including the driving mode, current speed and direction reminders. The Mark Levinson Reference Surround Audio system envelops who will have the chance to listen to it with one of the purest acoustic experiences I have ever heard in a car, if we can still call it a car. A far cry from the Scene mode extravaganza of the Bowers & Wilkins Volvo so acclaimed by the media (including ours and I agree that it is a real master's cost to have experienced it), the 23 loudspeakers transcribe with disconcerting fidelity the slightest note from both my “100 Classical Masterpieces” playlist as well as my favorite U2 albums. Enough to make you want to drop everything to become a driver on board an LS.

The icing on the cake, I couldn't resist the urge after seeing a test of the 2018 version on video insisting on the acceptance of the LS in the face of an “authoritarian steering wheel” to see for myself- even what a few frank solicitations of the mechanics and the chassis could give. 5 driving modes are then available to you. Efficiency, Comfort, Normal, Sport & Sport + with even the possibility left to the driver to deactivate the ESP via the upper knob on the left of the dashboard cap. If the beast shows its weight and suffers from a predominant roll from the first tens of km / h reached, its stability and its rigor of heading in long curves as in steep turns are to be positioned at the rank of excellence. at least as much as his surprising agility, once again in view of its very American size. The pneumatic suspension with controlled damping performs feats in body handling as well as in absorbing unevenness in the surface. The behavior turns out to be relatively healthy for those who want to rush their beautiful limousine (or to escape a gang of gangsters in big SUVs). The box is meanwhile, even in Sport + completely on the pick-up in its 10 reports, the passage from one to the other results in unpleasant jumps of the whole body which is felt even in the bottom of the driver's back, which is why the exercise quickly cut short. The behavior turns out to be relatively healthy for those who want to rush their beautiful limousine (or to escape a gang of gangsters in big SUVs). The box is meanwhile, even in Sport + completely on the pick-up in its 10 reports, the passage from one to the other results in unpleasant jumps of the whole body which is felt even in the bottom of the driver's back, which is why the exercise quickly cut short. The behavior turns out to be relatively healthy for those who want to rush their beautiful limousine (or to escape a gang of gangsters in big SUVs). The box is meanwhile, even in Sport + completely on the pick-up in its 10 reports, the passage from one to the other results in unpleasant jumps of the whole body which is felt even in the bottom of the driver's back, which is why the exercise quickly cut short.

Exotic pricing and positioning

If the market for large sedans in France turns out to be totally dominated by the German trio and in particular by the Mercedes S-Class which can argue without complex to prove to be a master in the field of avant-gardism in the segment, the Lexus LS has at least less for it the art of cultivating its difference over the generations and confirming without blushing its positioning exclusively turned towards the hybrid by removing its thermal version, at least on the old continent. This choice still earned it an honorable score of about 9.0 L / 100 km on average on our test, figures reached by the competition without too much difficulty…. but in Diesel. Not the most technological, not the most economical either, the choice of the LS is made knowingly and if two more arguments were needed to convince you,Suits ) without going through the Law studies box, and on the other hand, the penalty displayed by the LS500h in 2021 amounts to between €3,331 and €5,105 depending on the version chosen. Hurry up before the weight penalty comes to stick its nose in there...

Some numbers

Dimensions: 5235x1900x1460
Empty weight: 2280  kg
Trunk volume: 430 L
Tank volume: 73 L 
Combined consumption announced (WLTP): 7.1 L/100 km
Average CO2 emissions announced (WLTP): between 171 and 178 gCO2/km
Displacement: 3456 cc
Max power: 359 hp at 6600 rpm
Max torque: 500 Nm at 3000 rpm
Max speed: 250 km/h
0 to 100 km/h: 5.5 sec