Lexus LS 500 2019 Review

The human imagination is a blessing and a curse. It allows us to tell exciting fictional stories to kids, conjure up worlds past and future in our mind's eye.

But it also makes us dream for more.

We're rarely satisfied with what we've got. We often see the new pair of shoes, a phone, or a more advanced car as the one to have.

Progress. Consumerism. All that jazz. Intellectually most people know it is hardly a sustainable way for seven billion people to consume the planet's resources, but try as we might we still want the good stuff in life.

And so it is with the Lexus LS 500.

Should you buy this car? If you can afford it, and don't mind forgoing the self-righteousness of a German badge, I think so. It's largely due to cabin whose immaculate shapes and surfaces finished in fine leather, aluminium and timber create a relaxing, first-class experience that's different to most other top-tier automobiles.

Sat in the driver's seat, for example, the armrest appears as though it floats separately from the rest of the door. Lexus calls it Takumi craftsmanship. I call it sexy. It's a beautiful thing and clearly a lot of thought went into the interior design. Many elements of the cabin look and feel like elegant pieces of furniture or even sculptures, not just utilitarian objects.

It's an attention to detail that floored me.

This luxury limousine makes you feel like you've made it. The plush leather seats, the supple ride comfort, the muted interior. It's all part of the experience and it's one that's hard to imagine being more luxurious.

There's a sense of occasion every time you drive the car, ingrained via the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 28-way power adjustable front seats (22-way adjustable rear seats with a passenger-side ottoman!), crisp head-up display, auto closing soft-shut doors and a sensational 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

But is it worth around $200,000?

Depends how much coin you've got to spare. If you own seven properties and have more than one financial advisor, it's probably worth a look. But for most it's just a dream…

That bedeviled imagination, a blessing and curse, it is!

Based on the same GAL platform as the impressive Lexus LC 500, which was one of the stand out surprises Australia's Best Driver's Car 2018 with a podium finish, I was expecting a great many things of the LS 500's chassis.

BMW 7 Series-besting driving dynamics, for one.

Turns out it's not as nimble as I had anticipated. In fact it drives a bit like a barge, albeit one that is quieter and silkier in operation than most.

Perhaps that was the objective? To create a super-supple land yacht, like a Rolls-Royce, that targets customers who want pomp and plushness rather than apex-slicing exactness.

It can be coaxed through corners at a fair clip but you begin to the feel the LS 500's weight and length (2235kg, 5.23 metres) as the bends become tighter and speeds become higher. The steering is super light and has next-to-no feedback either.

The front-end feels a bit heavy and defaults to nose-pushing understeer whenever anything near the grip limit is reached. Confidence inspiring at higher speeds it is not.

But really, how many owners are going to wake up and think "I might go for a blast along the Great Ocean Road?" That was my first thought one weekend but evidently I'm not the target demographic for this car.

As an everyday drive, a commuter, a mode of transport, the LS 500 F Sport is a manifest success. Its large size can make parking in tighter spots a little difficult and its 11.4m turning circle is slightly worse than a BA Ford Falcon (rest in peace).

That said, the around view monitor is very good, the parking sensors are very accurate and large screen makes everything very clear. The cameras used by Lexus transmit very sharp pictures too.

Considering it sits on big 20-inch alloy wheels ride comfort is hugely impressive too. The (optional) air suspension (standard) variable shock absorbers do a great job of isolating passengers from cruddy road surfaces and the thick glass windows also help keep sound out.

It's good being able to raise the ride height of the car to approach challenging driveways and the semi-autonomous driving aids are generally pretty good, especially the adaptive cruise control. The active lane keep calibration could use a little more development, as it doesn't have the determination of some systems and at times seemed to give up on some corners.

Lastly, the massive head-up display – one of the biggest, widest yet – is sensational. We’re almost to the point where the entire windscreen will soon become an augmented reality wall of transparent neon goodness. This one displays road speed, the current legal limit and navigation instructions with crisp alacrity.

I miss the V8 burble of its predecessor but the economy and deep, surging levels of torque on tap give make the new twin-turbo V6 a rather pleasant powerplant. I can't wait to see what it can do when tuned for more power and shoved into the more agile Lexus IS F.

When cruising, the LS 500 purrs along effortlessly at all speeds and is ultra-quiet too, with our decibel reader recording 61dB at 60km/h with no air-conditioning or music running.

If you need to get your skates on the 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that replaces the V8 won't disappoint. When you fire up the bent six the acoustics are innocuous and placid in normal mode. Whisper quiet, even.

But in Sport mode it emits a lovely warble and metes out decisive acceleration. If you want to overtake, the car will comply… and then egg you on to test its autobahn-only v-max.

The 3444cc mill generates a whopping 310kW and 600Nm of torque but it's carefully tempered by the buttery-smooth 10-speed automatic transmission.

The 10-speed automatic means you’re doing just 1500rpm at 100km/h on the freeway but there were a few instances when it got caught out, hesitating somewhat, almost as if it was searching for the right gear but too busy marveling at the V6 engine's exacting engineering and micron-perfect tolerances.

Despite accelerating from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.0sec it doesn't feel particularly potent off the line but that's largely because everything feels so serene and relaxed in the cabin. In terms of ambience and execution it is the complete opposite of a hard-edged Mercedes-AMG C 63 S.

At the other end of the scale, when driven to save fuel, the finely-crafted Japanese limousine can be somewhat frugal. Claimed fuel consumption is 9.5L/100km and after a couple of weeks behind the wheel and just under 1000km on the clock, the trip computer was reading 10.2L/100km, which is isn't too shabby.

Unequivocally polished. Unquestionably luxurious.

But not perfect. Where's the wireless phone charger? Why is there no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? And after years of arguing in favour of the Lexus remote touch infotainment input system (an unorthodox touch-pad device) I've come to the conclusion that it's less than ideal for fast, easy navigation of menus and systems.

The rear seats don’t fold down and the 440-litre boot is deep but not as wide as I was hoping, the wheel arches cutting into cargo space a little.

There's also an assistant of sorts who incessantly nags you up every time you go past a speed camera or a school zone or go over the speed limit. Half the time the listed speed limit is wrong because of traffic conditions or roadworks and it's a maddening feature in speed camera-riddled Victoria.

Mercifully it can be switched off although it takes a bit of digging through menus.

The good stuff? There's plenty.

The leather on the steering wheel, seats, doors and dashboard is incredibly supple, juxtaposed with fuzzy suede and some very interesting metallic inserts, particularly the six lines on the dashboard.

As mentioned, a lot of work has gone into the visual design and tactility of this car. It's above and beyond most cars available today (within reason), with smaller touches like the digital instrument panel with its actuating tachometer adding intrigue.

The Mark Levinson stereo is absolutely off-chops, with the sort of audio clarity that even sound engineers would appreciate.

On top of the 28-way power adjustable front seats (with the best lumbar cushion ever) there is four-zone climate control and 22-way power adjustable rear seats, complete with seven massage functions and a passenger side ottoman squishes the front passenger seat out of the way. It's decadent – and apparently legal to stretch out when the car is underway.

The lack of a massage function for the front seats is a bit rude.

Back seat room is absolutely massive and just as opulent – if not moreso – than the front of the cabin. There's a big control panel with plenty of buttons for rear seat passengers to take over heating, cooling and entertainment and there are window blinds if you prefer a bit of privacy.

We yearn for things we'll never have. Case in point, the Lexus LS 500.

I'll never be able to afford one but if you can and you’re the kind of person who spends a lot of time in your car, this one should be at the pointy end of your list in my opinion.

The BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class have more tech, better dynamics and in some cases more features. But I reckon the Lexus has the comfort game sewn up. The interior finishes, the seats, the avant garde shapes and colours and the attention to detail is second to none.

With more appeal than a tech startup IPO, the Lexus LS 500 is the sort of car that will push executives and upper management types to work harder for that bonus to get one.

Lexus may not be as popular nor have the badge cachet of the established German players, but discerning buyers will not be disappointed.

How much does the 2019 Lexus LS 500 F Sport cost?
Price: $190,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.4-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 310kW/600Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.2L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 217g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA