That's your opinion and everyone's entitled to their opinion. I have a GS and my opinion is that the Model S compares more to the LS.

If we're looking at price in the factors to consider, the S Class is out of reach (and this then goes back to the longstanding S Class vs LS debate)

So let's just say the Model S can be considered for anyone looking at a GS, LS, or S Class... and being the huge Lexus fan / owner that I am over any other manufacturer, I've been swayed to the Model S

To never have to get an oil change or have gas required components go bad, no exhaust etc is amazing.

 

I like the idea of the Tesla, they're beautiful cars and I see them all over the place here. I'm not a buyer YET, and here's why:

1. Infrastructure & range limitations. Now that we have the twins and we take our van exclusively on family trips, I could deal with the range limitations of the Tesla day to day. But, I do at times take trips on my own, and I take them places other than up and down the 95 corridor where there are charging options.

2. Interior. I appreciate the high tech nature of the Tesla's interior, but from a materials, design, layout, and quality perspective its seriously lacking compared to similarly priced cars.

3. Cost. People comparing the cost of a Tesla to GS ownership haven't priced one out. A GS is a $45-$55k purchase after negotiation, a Model S starts at $76,200...yeah the website talks about tax credits and fuel savings, but those things are benefits realized over time, the cost of entry is the cost of entry. An 85D which is what most people would want to get the better battery costs $86,200 to start. That solidly an LS range car, not a GS range car.

Now...optioned its a $100,000 car basically. When you compare the feel of it inside to other $100,000 cars, its not there by a wide margin.

Not saying I will never be a buyer, I'm just not a buyer yet.

 

From a quality and feature perspective, they don't even seem to be in the same class. The LS460 is a very, very nice car, but the S550 goes above and beyond that. Of course, this is reflected in the price difference.

 

I agree with this completely. As an LS460 owner they used to compete. Since the Ls hasn't been anything but refreshed since 2007, the S class has had a complete remake thus leaving the Ls behind. One must wait to see what Lexus comes up with for the remake of the LS in the future to see if they can bring it back to its former glory.

 

Lexus has a rather standard schedule they follow for their models. The LS has followed it exactly. New model comes out, refresh in 3 years, then redesign. 2016 will be a refresh year, while 2013 was a redesign year.

 

We have over 3 more years till we see any drastic changes to the LS

 

I used to think the LS is on par with the S class, and in many ways it is. But the LS more OR less follows its own path, in my opinion. I honestly believe the S class is a step above, it's more of the look at me class. Loaded with the latest and greatest, most technologically advanced gizmos you can find. Lexus stays more conservative and tried and true means of doing things. Luxury is many different things to many different people. Lexus IS great at what it does

 

2013 was not a redesign. It was a refresh. Same engine, same everything except it was a major refresh due to the new front bumper, some new interior parts, etc. The basic vehicle stayed the same. LS400-LS430 Redesign, LS430-LS460 Redesign, its been the LS460 since 2007. Same vehicle with refreshes.

 

That was my point exactly. The car costs in the range of a LS/A8/S-Class/7-Series but really isn't comparable especially from a luxury standpoint. It more or less competes the lesser class like I mentioned earlier in luxury. In terms of performance the 85D, for example, completely obliterates a lot of cars in the 0-60 tests. But that's about where the comparisons stop short of the price. The Model S is priced very weirdly. A Model S, in my opinion, doesn't feel like a 100k car (when properly optioned, that's the price you end up with). The interior is nowhere near other $100k cars for example. Yes the car is a technology marvel and that's what you're largely paying for. The Model S is an awesome car, don't get me wrong, but you can't really directly compare it to an LS/S-Class/A8/whatever except on price alone and the fact that it has (at least the 85D) supercar 0-60 times.

 

Did a quick google of Lexus LS 460 redesign. According to lexus.com, lexus drivers.com, motor trend.com, cars.com. and the list goes on, 2013 was a redesign. Sure it didn't bring and earth shaking changes, it was their redesign. 2016 will only be a refresh, but with the hopes of something great. I even heard rumors of a coupe.

 

I met with the Lexus regional factory rep in March at the Bakersfield dealership. He said, "The new LS will have new technology which will be a game changer to the automotive industry." It will be first released as a 2017. Interesting, I wonder what he means...we'll have to see.

 

If that is true, that is sad. Did they even touch the drivetrain at all?

 

This is incorrect. The 2013 LS was a second over refresh of the same basic LS460. This is an anomaly in the LS design cycle. If you look at it, its obvious. Doors, glass, interior door panels, etc are all the same as the 2007 LS460. I have one, trust me...its not an all new car. Of course Lexus bills it as an all new car...Lexus is trying to sell cars.

2016 will be unchanged from 2015, and 2017 should be an all new LS.

2013-2015 LS (second 460 refresh):



2010-2012 LS (first 460 refresh):



2007-2009 LS (all new 460):







No. It was a very extensive refresh, some 3000+ parts were changed but it is a refresh, and no changes to the drivetrain.

Quite frankly, I don't think the Tesla is as nice inside as my 2013 GS was, or any of the other cars in that segment. The Tesla feels like a $40,000 car inside to me.

 

Not a redesign. But I'm not surprised that Lexus would call it such.

 

Consumer Reports' $127K Tesla becomes 'undriveable'

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...dles/27492335/

On CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/18/news...les/index.html