Lexus LS 500h May Not Be Worth Extra Cost, Says Drive Time
Lexus LS Hybrid proves to be a fun and luxurious machine, but is it worth a few extra grand for better fuel economy?
Lexus has long been a front runner in hybrid technology, and consumers have long loved their hybrid products. In fact, the automaker sells hundreds of thousands of them each and every year. And the reasons why are pretty obvious. Hybrids offer up more power and better fuel economy than their gasoline-powered-only counterparts, and they drive just as smooth. So we were slightly perplexed to hear that auto enthusiast Steve Hammes, host of the Drive Time YouTube channel, wasn’t convinced the LS 500h is a better car than the regular LS 500.
“Let’s cut to the chase. I like the LS. I wouldn’t choose the hybrid. It’s not as progressive as you might think,” Hammes leads with. Hammes originally tested the LS 500 back last year, when it first hit the market. And he admits that he was impressed with that initial offering. The hybrid version uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as its regular counterpart, albeit with no turbos. Instead, it carries a pair of electric motors, which together with the gas engine feature a combined output of 354 hp. Which is quite a bit less than the 500’s 416 hp.
Though it’s 0.4-seconds slower to 60 mph, Hammes says that the hybrid is “still quick and manages to feel very similar to that of a traditional automatic gearbox under these conditions. But when you’re driving less forcefully, say around the town, in Eco, Comfort or Normal modes the hybrid/CVT powertrain delivers far less satisfaction. Other than the increased mileage I honestly cannot make a case for choosing the hybrid powertrain here. It’s more expensive, less powerful, and significantly inferior to its gas-only counterpart in terms of driveability.”
On the bright side, the Lexus LS 500h does deliver impressive “engineering prowess” and improved fuel economy. To the tune of a 24% improvement to 23 mpg city and 31 on the highway. Hammes also found the 500h to be quite sprightly in one important aspect. “This where I most enjoy driving the LS – out here on the back roads in Sport mode where the hybrid powertrain truly comes to life. And the manufactured engine sounds are really authentic.”
Hammes also enjoys the car’s whisper-quiet cabin, which he calls “beautiful, rich and welcoming with stunning animations, massaging front seats, and all of the safety features including this panoramic view monitor and one of the biggest and best heads up displays you can buy.” Along with an all-wheel-drive system that performs great in the snow.
Ultimately, however, our reviewer much prefers the LS F Sport to the 500h. And it’s hard to fault him there. We personally prefer sportier models as well, but the hybrid still figures to be the choice for a lot of folks who care less about performance than efficiency. Even if it does cost roughly $4,500 more than the base LS from the get go.
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