Lexus LS

Exterior

A glance is all it takes to understand that Lexus is very ambitious about selling snazzy-looking cars. The large, spindle-shaped grille looks striking from the front, flanked by Z-shaped headlamps. There are also huge vents on either side of the bumper. The 20-inch chrome wheels are possibly the coolest ones you will have seen on a car yet. That strong shoulder line gives it a lot of character from the side; so does the one running below it. At the rear too, the Lexus LS 500h new model does not compromise on the styling, despite its overall girth. The half-chrome, half-glass tail lights look sleek, and there's even a bar of chrome running atop the number plate. This is a design that is hard to fault with, no matter what angle it is viewed from.

Variants

The 2018 Lexus LS 500h variants are as follows: Luxury and Ultra Luxury. Features include heated seats with massage function, air suspension, 28-way adjustable front seats, multiple screens, a 23-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system, active noise cancellation, 12.3-inch Lexus Enform interface with navigation, a digital cockpit for the driver, ambient lighting, moonroof, cruise control, auto rain-sensing wipers, LED sequential turn signal headlamps and a wooden steering with a leather pad and heater. On the safety front, it is equipped with 14 airbags, ABS, VSC, HAC and Heads Up Display.

Interior

Opening the door has the car's ride height increase, while the driver's seat too, raises itself. Even the steering position is adjusted the moment you press the start button. The front seats are large and supportive, and allow you to adjust the shoulder and lumbar support. There's ample legroom for occupants at the rear, and the backrest can be reclined by up to 48 degrees. The armrest in the middle consists of various controls for the infotainment and seat adjustments. The cabin is full of angular forms, panels and elements that come together to create a unique atmosphere. There's a lot of intricate detailing that has gone into the making the interior right for the price. Lexus LS’ boot space, at 430 litres, is pretty good too.

Engine Specifications & Performance

The Lexus LS 500h is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and two electric motors that make a combined output of 295bhp and 350Nm of torque, with power being sent to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The engine is silky smooth, and delivers strong performance. It manages the 0-100kph sprint in just 5.4 seconds. Even at higher speeds, the LS feels rather relaxed, while the gearbox proves to be very precise. Around corners, the car doesn't feel like it is heavy; instead, it feels planted. In S+ mode, the LS feels is almost ready to take on a racetrack. Even the exhausts sound a bit sporty in this particular mode. That’s the insane performance you get when you sign a cheque for that hefty on-road price. Lexus LS’ ride quality over bad roads is decent, but when you hit the harder stuff, the stiffness can be felt. And the steering is light, but it isn't lacking excitement, and can genuinely have a driver feel satisfied.

Mileage

The Lexus LS 500h's ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure is rated at 15.38kmpl for both hybrid variants.