2019 Lexus LS 500

2019 Lexus LS 500

An Automotive Love Affair
By Joe Mavilia

Overview:
This is the 2019 Lexus LS 500 luxury class sedan that represents the best of Japanese workmanship. And good cars don’t come cheap. But for those who are inclined to such quality and are accustomed to this class car the things I think of, like the price of gas and more expensive repair and maintenance, but they don’t give that much weight.

If it is in your automotive budget, you’ll surely want to test drive this one. And yes, you may have heard it ranks 5th in Super Luxury Cars but I thought it worthier.
This test car as appointed would set you back over $115,000. I think it is beautiful and to me that Trump’s some of the offsets with its competition.

General Information: Assembly: Tahara, Aichi, Japan; Classification is Midsize; Vehicles from Lexus: ES, GS, GX, IS, LC, LS, LX, NX, RC, RX, UX.

Handling & Performance:
The LS is a delight to drive and edges out Audi A8 when it comes to performance but lags slightly behind the BMW 7 Series.

The kicker, for me, who owned a high-end repair facility, experience tells me the LS beats out Audi and BMW hands down when it comes to cost of repairs. And when it comes to the #1 rated Alfa Romeo Giulia, the very good Mercedes AMG C Class, all would likely drain your wallet faster than the Lexus LS. Just say’n.

I tested the Hybrid version, so fuel economy is better by 5 mpg at 28 combined mpg. I know, you don’t care about the cost of gas but if it rises to world prices we’ll all pucker up a bit.

Styling:
I would agree with critics that even though it is ranked lower it has a great cabin design and excellent interior quality. Some say Extravagant, and perhaps you’d agree, but I’d like to think of it as just a very special automobile. The photos include a setting in one of the most beautiful settings in the famous poppy fields in southern California.

Fit and Finish:
Special

Cost:
You get what you pay for.

Conveniences and comfort:
One of the common complaints of Lexus is its less than friendly technology choices. I must agree and specifically there is a need for Lexus to look into changing the touch pad to maneuver around audio and other apps. It is simply too distracting in large part because the controls are overly sensitive, and you’ll find your eyes are drawn away from the road. I hope the manufacturer does look more closely at this feature because it is my experience in talking with other automotive journalists is that too many agree.

Consumer Recommendation:
Overall, I give the nod, in the competition, to Lexus even though I’m more inclined to the Korean cars these days. Genesis is a favorite and the Kia K900 should be considered too even if it is less expensive than the rest.

Recognized Competition:

Good News:
Lovely luxury car, powerful and a hybrid to boot, an overall delightful car.

Bad News:
n/a

Standard Equipment:
3.5 liter 354 hp V6 Hybrid system, totally loaded with all my favorite features for the MSRP noted. However, with high level upgrades available and included on my test vehicle, it added over $30,000 all of which I could do without. If I had oodles of money in my budget for more, you can bet the farm I would get it all. You decide based on how deep your pockets go.

Gas Stats:
25 City and 33 Highway MPG

$3.89 / Gal avg. May 26, 2019

www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.

Pricing:
MSRP $79,000.

Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@autolove.com
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