When you’re on the lookout for a car that’s equally comfy to drive and to be pushed in, look no additional than the Lexus LS 500. Absolutely loaded with the Government Package deal, driving on this full-size sedan is like flying First Class however on the highway. The 2023 LS 500 affords a easy and quiet trip and surrounds its passengers in luxurious and luxury. The automotive has subtle styling from each angle, beginning with its hourglass-shaped mesh grille, flanked by triple LED headlights with arrow-like accent lights main your eyes inward towards the enduring “L” emblem. Even in the event you’re not a fan of the Lexus spindle design, it appears fairly darned sharp right here.
19″ alloy wheels come customary on the LS 500, however my evaluation car got here with the 20″ break up spoke rims. These are the best-looking of the obtainable wheels, with ten windmill-like spokes and gloss black accents. Lexus says the wheels are designed to scale back noise, although I at all times thought tires have been the principle reason for highway noise. Wheel designs may contribute to wind noise, however I’m unsure. Regardless, there’s ample insulation between the sheet steel and the automotive’s cabin, so it’s whisper quiet inside.
Pushed by a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft. of torque, the 5000-pound sedan launches from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.6 seconds. Energy heads to the rear wheels through a 10-speed computerized transmission. All-wheel drive is offered for a couple of $3000 premium. The transmission shifts easily and predictably, however I did encounter only a fraction of a second of lag between once I pushed my foot down and when the automotive accelerated. The adaptive variable air suspension affords a supremely cushioned trip in Consolation mode, whereas Sport+ mode gives the stiffest dealing with profile. That drive mode is essentially the most partaking, shifting nearer to the redline and including some weight to the steering. It additionally pipes in an enhanced exhaust notice by way of the audio system, but it surely sounds a bit synthetic for my liking.
The LS 500 contains an intensive suite of security options, together with radar and camera-based pre-collision help with pedestrian detection, lane tracing help to assist preserve you targeted on the highway, and clever excessive beams that robotically change to low beams after they detect an oncoming car. The elective Lexus Security System+ A bundle provides a lane change help function that helps with freeway lane modifications by controlling steering, acceleration, and deceleration when the driving force initiates a flip with the sign. The improve bundle additionally improves the pre-collision system by including steering help. It shows pedestrian alert data on the head-up show, provides entrance cross-traffic alert, and highway signal help, which mixes map and digital camera information to point out the present velocity restrict.
The inside of the LS 500 is elegant and distinctive. All through the cabin, you’ll discover beautiful design touches like laser-cut black wooden trim with an intricate steel sample and quilted leather-based that echoes the curved theme. The 23-speaker Mark Levinson Reference audio system is stellar – with studio-quality sound, glorious dynamic vary, and an enveloping soundstage when its 3D encompass mode is enabled. Plus, it’s obtained among the coolest-looking steel speaker grills.
Since I first noticed the redesign in 2017, I’ve cherished the undulating curves throughout the dashboard. Nevertheless, the newer 12.3″ touchscreen doesn’t combine as properly because the 2018 to 2020 fashions, breaking apart the in any other case glossy aesthetic of the sprint. On the plus facet, the brand new show is now operating Lexus Interface, a much-improved system for interacting with media, local weather, navigation, and car settings. Developed in-house for Toyota and Lexus, the system is fast, intuitive, and has cloud-based navigation. It helps wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, too. My automotive additionally had a digital rearview mirror and a 24″ colour head-up show. Whereas I often just like the improved visibility that digital mirrors supply, this one appeared dimmer and had extra glare than others I’ve used, rendering it laborious to see on sunny days.
The Government Package deal contains semi-aniline leather-based surfaces on the seats, doorways, and armrests, together with wealthy ultrasuede on the headliner and even on the solar visors. The driving force’s and entrance passenger’s seats present 28 methods to fine-tune their place and embrace warmth, cooling, and therapeutic massage capabilities to assist soothe sore muscular tissues. A panoramic glass roof provides to the lightness of the primarily white cabin.
When you select to sit down within the again and have another person chauffeur you round, it’s a deal with. The rear seats encompass passengers in consolation with 22-way energy adjustability, warmth, cooling, and therapeutic massage. The passenger in the best rear seat enjoys much more consolation with the power to fold the entrance passenger seat out of the best way to allow them to totally recline. There’s even an ottoman that extends from the seat for max leisure.
You additionally get energy shades for the best rear, left rear, and middle rear home windows and impartial local weather management. Again-seat passengers also can management the automotive’s audio system. These options might be adjusted on a touchscreen constructed into the massive middle armrest.
Geared up with the Government Package deal, the Lexus LS 500 affords a relaxing and cozy setting whether or not you’re within the entrance or the again row of seats. Whether or not caught in visitors on the best way to the airport or taking an prolonged highway journey, it’s a pleasant and decadent place to be. Sedans won’t be getting a number of love today, however the LS 500 deserves a glance in the event you’ve obtained the finances to afford it. With a base value of $76,385 for the RWD mannequin, the 2023 LS 500 is designed for a discerning and well-funded purchaser. With the addition of the Government Package deal, premium audio system, panoramic roof, and different upgrades, the automotive I examined had a sticker value of $108,385, together with supply, processing, and dealing with charges.