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Lexus LS600h L: Coming Up Short in a Competitive Segment

2013 Lexus LS600h L: Plenty of Tech, but Short on Value
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Lexus puts itself in a pickle with the LS600h L. The hybrid powertrain represents an interesting way to take on the V12-based competition, but it lacks raw performance. Sure, power is delivered smoothly, but the specifications ultimately fall short of even other luxury cars with V8s. In my speed-loving opinion, Lexus' top-end offering should at least be capable of a 12- or 13-second quarter-mile, even if you choose to drive the vehicle more conservatively. Instead, this is as far as you can get from a driver's car.

Circling back to technology, I like the Remote Touch interface. It's easy to use and intuitively thought-out. Our only complaint is the lack of a dedicated back button for revisiting previous menus. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mazda, and even Hyundai enable this functionality on their own infotainment systems. Lexus should follow suit.

The system's large 12.3-inch LCD is fantastic. Its sheer massiveness creates an easy-to-read surface, allowing us to forgive Lexus for a lack of integration with the gauge cluster. The operating environment implements a split screen that effectively separates your current focus and other available features without creating any confusion.

I'll admit to being disappointed by Lexus' maps, though. That top-down view is fine on more affordable cars, but I was really hoping to see 3D navigation on such an expensive vehicle, especially when the competition offers gorgeous Google Earth overlays. Nevertheless, I did enjoy using Destination Assist for help looking up addresses, which were then piped into the navigation system.

The executive rear seat package is definitely a treat for anyone spending quality time back there. A reclining chair is a little excessive for most, but it's not a bad way to travel if you have someone willing to drive. It's only a bummer that you lose the mini-fridge option, since Lexus' hybrid battery pack occupies that space.

No doubt, rear seat entertainment options on the LS600h L lag behind its competition. A single flip-down LCD is what you find in a minivan or crossover, not an executive sedan. Audi, BMW, and Mercedes serve up separate seat-mounted LCDs for each rear seat passenger. In fact, Audi's entertainment system even enables access to the navigation system for sending destinations to the driver. Lexus' Blu-ray-capable platform isn't as well integrated at all. It hurts to say, but Hyundai does a better job in this regard with its Equus. An option for 7.1-channel sound is somewhat redeeming of Lexus. And then that single composite input turns us back the other way again.

Our press car was missing a bunch of technology that the Tom's Hardware audience probably would have liked to see. It was missing adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, the front collision warning system, a night vision camera, and a heads-up display. What we can say is that Lexus' LED headlights are fantastic at night, and we were treated to blind spot monitoring technology. With a price tag north of $100,000 those other features should become standard equipment. The Audi A8L we drove previously offered most of that functionality for a cheaper $115,000.

We can't help but conclude, then, that the LS600h L is a lost luxury sedan amidst a sea of very strong competitors. The Germans offer better driving dynamics, power, performance, technology, and improved fuel economy without the added weight and complexity of a hybrid system, while the Koreans are perfectly happy giving you all of Lexus' optional extras for almost half the price with a similar drive. Hyundai's Equus Ultimate doesn’t offer the prestige of a Lexus badge, but you get much more car for your money. The original LS400 was an honest luxury car that gave its customers great value. This take on hybrid technology feels like Lexus is trying too hard to aim high, while missing the mark.

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  • 0 Hide
    blackmagnum , July 18, 2014 2:37 AM
    It doesn't look stately and serious like the LS400 of old. Have they hired a new designer?
  • 1 Hide
    cyb34 , July 18, 2014 3:30 AM
    This car, on the outside, looks like your average Mazda or Honda. So -1 there.
    I'm sorry for Lexus for Mercedes is years ahead with its new S class.

    This LS600 does not look premium enough and the inside is closer to an Audi A6.
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , July 18, 2014 5:29 AM
    Quote:
    It doesn't look stately and serious like the LS400 of old. Have they hired a new designer?


    I'd assume so since the LS400 was a Toyota Celsior and badge engineered with premium only content for the US whereas the LS600h L and LS460 was designed solely to be a Lexus from the get go with its own styling.

    Quote:
    This car, on the outside, looks like your average Mazda or Honda. So -1 there.
    I'm sorry for Lexus for Mercedes is years ahead with its new S class.

    This LS600 does not look premium enough and the inside is closer to an Audi A6.


    Yea, the Mercedes S class is stunning inside and out. The Lexus looks bland and when you step inside, it doesn't give the same wow factor. Sure its functional, but its not what I'd expect from a luxury vehicle.
  • 0 Hide
    edlivian , July 18, 2014 7:33 AM
    if I had 100+k to spend on a luxury sedan car, i would never get this car, it would either be a A8/A7, S550 or 760i.

    And its not because I dont like Japanese cars, I used to have an Acura RL, but they too have dropped the ball. Their design looks bland, they drive is similar to mid class series high end cars, if you want high end you do not think Lexus anymore.
  • 2 Hide
    iknowhowtofixit , July 18, 2014 9:01 AM
    These expensive luxury hybrids offer little in compensation for the extremely high price. Unless you are like Harvey Specter from suits, most people drive themselves and could care less about reclining rear seats. There are so many better, less expensive, better performing options than this. Not to mention, you could always install an aftermarket infotainment system that would likely function more intuitively than the factory unit.

    Honestly, there is too much segmentation in the automotive market with regard to infotainment. The controls and look of these system seem dated, even when brand new. Plus, who on Earth needs composite plugs for an infotainment system?! It is 2014!
  • 0 Hide
    edlivian , July 18, 2014 9:06 AM
    Quote:
    who on Earth needs composite plugs for an infotainment system?! It is 2014!


    you are right, that is completely absurb, I think I threw all my composite cables away, its either HDMI or Displayport
  • 1 Hide
    2Be_or_Not2Be , July 18, 2014 9:41 AM
    Why would you review a 2013 model in 2014 when the 2015 cars are almost out??

    Or are we just recycling? I'm also for recycling - just not in my "News" section. ;) 
  • 0 Hide
    danwat1234 , July 18, 2014 2:07 PM
    I think 1 of the main reasons why this Lexus doesn't get much better fuel economy, and no better fuel economy than a regular Lexus is because the engine is not Atkinson cycle, but rather regular OTTO cycle.
    In most hybrid cars, the engine is Atkinson cycle, where the intake valves stay open part way up the compression stroke to increase thermal efficiency. Thus it is more efficient not only in the city where the electric motors aid efficiency, but on steady state highway driving too.

    But with this Lexus it is probably just plain OTTO cycle. If they were smart, they have camshaft behavior where it could change from OTTO to Atkinson and back on the fly, in millieseconds, so you can have more fuel economy and also the power when you get into it. But they don't.
    Part time HCCI (Sparkless diesel cycle ignition) is even more efficient, with OTTO cycle when you want power.

    Also if this car had a higher capacity battery pack with a more powerful electric motor, there'd be less need for engine displacement.
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , July 18, 2014 4:05 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    who on Earth needs composite plugs for an infotainment system?! It is 2014!


    you are right, that is completely absurb, I think I threw all my composite cables away, its either HDMI or Displayport


    Yea its a bit odd. Even the Honda Fit and Civic have HDMI inputs now for the front infotainment system.

    Quote:
    Why would you review a 2013 model in 2014 when the 2015 cars are almost out??

    Or are we just recycling? I'm also for recycling - just not in my "News" section. ;) 


    Because the higher end luxury vehicles are harder to come by. We got ahold of it towards the end of 2013. 2014 was mostly carryover minus one package change that added the driver assists to make it $135k, which doesn't really change our opinion of the vehicle at all. I assume 2015 will be another carryover year as well since the flagships run on 10 year product cycles.

    Quote:
    I think 1 of the main reasons why this Lexus doesn't get much better fuel economy, and no better fuel economy than a regular Lexus is because the engine is not Atkinson cycle, but rather regular OTTO cycle.
    In most hybrid cars, the engine is Atkinson cycle, where the intake valves stay open part way up the compression stroke to increase thermal efficiency. Thus it is more efficient not only in the city where the electric motors aid efficiency, but on steady state highway driving too.

    But with this Lexus it is probably just plain OTTO cycle. If they were smart, they have camshaft behavior where it could change from OTTO to Atkinson and back on the fly, in millieseconds, so you can have more fuel economy and also the power when you get into it. But they don't.
    Part time HCCI (Sparkless diesel cycle ignition) is even more efficient, with OTTO cycle when you want power.

    Also if this car had a higher capacity battery pack with a more powerful electric motor, there'd be less need for engine displacement.


    I think at the end of the day, its because its still a very heavy boat and they are trying to replicate a V12 with good fuel economy but ultimately end up with something that doesn't do much better than a turbo V8 that has more power and much more entertaining to drive.
  • 0 Hide
    zodiacfml , July 19, 2014 12:10 AM
    I don't know but they probably have something here. I believe their hybrid implementation is well suited for this niche since buyers of this class won't be able to use all the power of a V12.
    With the hybrid though, max torque would be available even at low RPMs which results in a more relaxed driving and that performance would not need an expert driver.
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , July 19, 2014 8:21 AM
    Yes, that's ideally what they're going for. But it doesn't offer much more smoothness than the V8. Buyers in that class won't necessarily use all of that power, but they buy it to know they have all of that power. It doesn't give you the "I just dropped $130k on a car and its awesome" type of feel.
  • 0 Hide
    dj christian , July 19, 2014 8:12 PM
    This model is old, came 2007. Next year it's time for a new one.
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , July 19, 2014 8:25 PM
    Quote:
    This model is old, came 2007. Next year it's time for a new one.


    It was just refreshed for MY2013, which means its going to be around for another 5 years or so. High end luxury vehicles tend to have longer 10-year product cycles.
  • 0 Hide
    kiniku , July 19, 2014 10:03 PM
    BMW has provided multi band presets for several years.
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , July 20, 2014 7:51 PM
    Quote:
    BMW has provided multi band presets for several years.


    Audi does as well but they're presets are clunkier and not as elegant / easy to assign.
  • 0 Hide
    sportfreak23 , July 20, 2014 11:54 PM
    I'll buy a Lexus LX560 or any SUV, why waste money on a sedan.
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , July 21, 2014 7:07 AM
    Quote:
    I'll buy a Lexus LX560 or any SUV, why waste money on a sedan.


    I love sport sedans. The LS is not one of those. However, I would love an LX560. Huge, unnecessary, but I'm a sucker for a luxified Land Cruiser. Hell, I'd love to build an off-road beast from the first gen LX450.
  • 0 Hide
    anthony8989 , July 22, 2014 2:57 PM
    I like the IS-F and the LFA - the new GS is nice but there's better out there.. Nothing else from Lexus is appealing to me personally.
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , July 22, 2014 10:43 PM
    The new IS350 is a decent looking car and I love the LFA-inspired F-Sport gauge cluster. The suspension is tuned well, but that 3.5-liter Camry V6 is too damn smooth no matter how hard you want to drive it. It doesn't throw you back in the seat and gives you that sense of urgency that makes you want to romp on it, which is disappointing from a sporty vehicle. The GS460h is my favorite hybrid, smooth power, comfortable, throws you back in the seat, and gets ~30MPG while putting a grin on your face.

    I have a picture story on the new NX series coming, but they managed to make a 2.0-turbo 4 boring as hell to drive.
  • 0 Hide
    sportfreak23 , July 23, 2014 7:59 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    I'll buy a Lexus LX560 or any SUV, why waste money on a sedan.


    I love sport sedans. The LS is not one of those. However, I would love an LX560. Huge, unnecessary, but I'm a sucker for a luxified Land Cruiser. Hell, I'd love to build an off-road beast from the first gen LX450.


    Should have said Large Sedans, I don't see the point in them anymore, beside leg room but then I think they trimmed it down a bit like what toyota did to the avalon.

    I wouldn't mind a sport sedan as well for those nice days, but looking at the IS, did they fix that AWD drive tunnel shaft thing sticking into the foot well? I found that quite a turn off ;p
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