RIDE AND HANDLING

The S450 rides on front and rear multilink suspension with adaptive dampers that stiffen and lower when selecting their respective Sport and Sport+ modes for improved handling. Whichever driving mode you’re in, there’s a satisfying gliding feel to the ride, with road imperfections well contained with next to no secondary bounce, though you do tend to feel the odd clunk through the low-profile 285/35 R20 Pirelli P Zero rubber. It has the agility on twisty roads of a much smaller car, also helped by 4Matic all-paw traction, and a taut aluminium-hybrid body shell that’s 60 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. The variable-ratio steering is well-weighted and inspires enough confidence through bends to allow you to barely trouble the brake pedal, and firms up agreeably in either of the Sport modes. 23/25 The rear-drive LS 500 Sports Luxury lacks the performance-orientated LS 500 F Sport’s rear-wheel steering, wider rear rubber and active antiroll bars, yet still feels athletic for such a large vehicle. This is a luxury barge, after all, and while it’s an enjoyable big thing in which to hunt apexes, its priority is ride comfort. Lexus has gone all out to achieve this, modifying the LS 500 Sports Luxury’s adaptive suspension with larger, liquid-filled bushes in the lower control arms and fitting it with 245/45 R20 Bridgestone Turanza rubber. The result is a ride that feels plush and well damped on most surfaces. Its relatively tight 11.4-metre turning circle helps negotiate its 5235mm length through tight inner-city streets and parking spots. 22/25