Is the Lexus LS 500 the Ultimate Commuter Car?
If you have a long commute, either with lots of miles or stop and go traffic, the Lexus LS 500 is the ultimate ride.
According to the US Census Bureau, the average person spends 56 minutes in traffic each day. Just under 10% of people commute for more than an hour. That adds up to a lot of time spent in the confines of your car. Some people spend that time listening to the stereo or taking phone calls. In extreme cases, some people use the time to get dressed, put on makeup, or even eat soup.
We practically live out of our cars. So the question is, what car do you want to live out of while slogging through a long commute? Like a multiple choice test, there are some answers that appear right. But there is only one right answer – the Lexus LS 500, which features some new and notable changes for 2022.
To start with, a long commute requires a comfortable and relaxing interior, and the Lexus LS 500’s is exquisite. It features the highest quality materials with heated and cooled massaging seats. The Mark Levinson audio system provides concert hall quality sound for any music. A 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen interfaces with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and offers access to Amazon Alexa. This connectivity gives you the ability to shop from your car, control your smart home devices, or get recommendations for take-out food. New for 2022, is the optional Haku interior ornamentation for the Luxury and Executive Packages. But regardless of how the LS 500 is equipped, it is a serene place to pass the miles.
Besides a comfortable interior, other pre-requisites for a commuter car are the ability to handle adverse weather and provide reasonable gas mileage. The former is a big reason why people buy SUVs and crossovers. Gas mileage is the primary reason Toyota has sold over 15 million hybrids. The Lexus LS 500 offers AWD to cope with nasty weather. And while it’s no Prius (not that you’d want it to be) the LS 500 gets up to 29 mpg on the highway.
Performance goes hand in hand with gas mileage and all weather capability. If the guy eating soup and steering with his knees wanders into your lane, you will need to get out of harm’s way in a hurry. On all fronts, the LS 500 delivers sports car like performance. According to Car and Driver, 0-60 mph takes around five seconds. Braking from 70 mph takes 164 feet and road-holding is a secure .89 g.
Performance aside, it’s what the Lexus LS 500 isn’t that makes it the ultimate commuter car. It is not a canyon carver, doesn’t have track ready steering or a hard suspension. That’s the point. It won’t lurch on pock-marked interstates or jitter across steel plates. Instead, think of it as your own private cocoon. The LS 500 excels at serving up high levels of competence, refinement, and luxury while providing large doses of serenity.
Photos: Lexus
