Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2013 Lexus LS 600h L

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-...photo-5874931/


I have spent the last seven days driving the Starfire Pearl (read: white) 2013 Lexus LS 600h L you see here. And after roughly 500 miles of errand-running, highway-cruising, commuting and people-schlepping, I can safely say this: I don't get it.

The LS hybrid is a nice car. It's comfortable, has every amenity you'd ever want in a luxury boat, and with its freshened appearance for 2013, it looks modern, integrating the company's new spindle grille into an overall package that's elegant. None of this is bad news. But let me explain why I still cannot wrap my head around the overall LS 600h L package:

Driving Notes

• For starters, the LS hybrid mates a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 to a 165-kilowatt electric motor. The gasoline engine on its own is good for 389 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, and with the electric motor factored in, Lexus states that the total system output is a robust 438 hp. (All of that, by the way, resides in what editor Zach Bowman refers to as the "world's saddest engine bay.")
• That makes for one quick sedan, even here with all-wheel drive and a hefty 5,159-pound curb weight. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes 5.5 seconds, and top speed is limited to 130 mph.
• Hybrid or no, as you'd expect with a package like this, fuel economy isn't exactly stellar. The EPA rates the LS 600h L at 19/23/20 miles per gallon (city/highway/combined). My average over the week was 19.2 mpg.
• For comparison, let me introduce you to the non-hybrid LS 460 L AWD, powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that makes 360 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the 600h, the 460 is slower to 60 mph by 0.4 seconds and its fuel economy numbers are 16/23/18 mpg. That's right: The highway economy number is the same as the hybrid, and the combined rating is only reduced by two mpg.
• Lexus does call the LS 600h L a performance hybrid, so rather than it being a more efficient version of the flagship sedan - sort of the way a Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is really just a more frugal S550 - this electrified LS is supposed to be the zenith of the line, offering the most power, quickest acceleration, and top-level refinement.
• Thing is, it's not all that good to drive. Even with the Drive Mode Select button toggled to Sport S+, the LS 600h L delivers driving dynamics that are far closer to that of a Hyundai Equus than an Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series. It's a giant rolling couch, with vague steering, plenty of body roll, and a suspension that, even in its firmest setting, doesn't offer a whole lot of sport. Comfy and plush, yes, but hardly engaging.
• The interior is really where the LS excels, yet lags. It has every comfort and convenience feature you can imagine, the materials are top notch, and it's, well, Lexus quiet. But from a user standpoint, there are issues. I know that Audi's MMI, BMW's iDrive and Mercedes-Benz's COMAND aren't always peachy systems to use, but they at least offer more user-friendly controllers than the horrible mouse-like Remote Touch controller in the LS. Several passengers commented on this during my week with the car, each one of them failing to understand the point. Perhaps Lexus could bring that 12.3-inch screen out a little more and just make it a proper touchscreen interface.
• But here's where it totally falls apart: as-tested, the LS 600h L I drove stickered for $135,029, including $895 for destination and handling. Remember that LS 460 L AWD I mentioned earlier? The one that's not much slower and, in most cases, just as efficient as the hybrid? Option it up to the exact same levels of equipment as this 600h and it's still $34,749 cheaper. That's right, nearly thirty-five thousand dollars less.
• Or hey, check out the BMW 750Li xDrive sedan. It has 445 horsepower, gets 24 mpg highway, and completely loaded, is $20,000 less than the LS 600h L. And if efficiency really is your thing, allow me to introduce you to the Audi A8L 3.0 TDI that claims up to 36 mpg highway. It starts at $82,500.
• What we have here is car that is, in a vacuum, fine. Everything that it does, it does well enough. But not for this price. And certainly not when there are so many more attractive options for buyers in the segment. Regardless of your preference for power, efficiency or just straight-up luxury, there are better ways to spend your cash than on this LS 600h L.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2...k-spin-review/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The LS600hL is a nice car, but it like the GS450h are overpriced. When it came out they said it was V12 power with V8 efficiency - not really the case.

I noticed this specific LS600hL in the pictures does not have the nice bamboo wood trim.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Gorgeous car, but its drivetrain and engine are quite dated. Still, the 750 in real world driving will not get anywhere near the fuel economy of the 600h, or even 460.

The author is right about remote touch, its a horrendous interface that makes no sense at all.

LexFather

Yeah at 134k that is going to be a near impossible sell. Going to be one rare car to find.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

The LS600hL will always be compared to other cars, as noted with the above mentioned Bimmer, Audi, and Benz (and even its non-hybrid brethren).

However, I think Lexus made it a point to make this car unique. It is what it is. You get certain figures of horsepower, speed, fuel efficiency, and cost; and all other intangibles such as earth-friendliness, exclusivity, and simple "**** you I've got money" flaunted pride: which no other car can claim to have.

This is not a practical purchase. It surely is an emotional one.

Toys4RJill

The LS600 really was a mistake. The author maKes a compelling argument against it. The LS460 is clearly the better, smarter buy.

RNM GS3

Saw a black 460Fsport today - car is beautiful except for the ugly rims.

New taillights are best part of the exterior redesign - full LEDs and no amber. I wish they put them on the GS.

Will the LS get a new V8 anytime soon?

Toys4RJill

I've heard a twin turbo smaller V8 is in the cards.

jwong77

I agree, the LS f sport seems to translate the current design language the best out of the current models. I really like the aggressiveness, but wish they would do a sport tuned coupe version.

gengar

I thought the LS600hL used CVT?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

you are correct. First post edited for correctness

RXSF

there is a used LS600HL I drive by everyday at my local toyota dealer parked under a temporary awning... not sure how much they are asking for but it has that hideous grill found on the HS, so maybe an '11

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

the LS600hL is a technological marvel, but ultimately won't appeal to many being VERY heavy, not very fast, not particularly fuel efficient (although who cares when it's 6 figures to start), small trunk, expensive, etc. might as well get an S-class 4MATIC.

patgilm

That article hits the main issue I have with the 600hL, the pricing. I am not sure who the target market is for this car at that price point or even the earlier models price point of approximately $125k for a loaded one. For that price there are a lot of other cars I would consider that are better overall. As for the V12 performance, I don't think a V12 is going to only have 50hp over a V8, it better have more than that. The 600 is noticably heavier than the 460 (which is probably why performance numbers are not much better than the 460) and takes some getting used to but I still like the drive of them and the fact that they typically come with almost all options. I typically get 22-23 mpg combined with highway mpg a little bit higher in my 08.

gengar

Just to point out, the last non-FI 760i/Li (which was MY2007, so only one year before the 600h debut) only made 438hp so the 600h was certainly in the right ballpark. IMO the traditional distinction of the V12 over the V8 was higher torque anyway. It wasn't until everyone started twin turboing their V12s that the hp numbers started getting ridiculous.