Lexus LS500 Awdgains balance via F Sport, safety sense
I extended my right hand to the funny-looking
“ear” sticking out the edge of the instrument-panel cover, twisted it and received the message that the Lexus I am driving is now operating in Sport mode, rather than Comfort mode.
The kickdown response becomes more immediate and the blat-blat-blat of the exhaust confirms the Sport-mode setting. Rolling along at 65 miles per hour, the luxury cruiser’s safety system was dialed in very commendably on lane-centering, with little wandering, along theweld County Parkway, on through Hudson and in toward Denver, then back north to complete a 100-mile circle.
It’s the 2023 Lexus LS 500 allwheel-drive F Sport sedan, which with its speed-sensitive, variablegear-ratio steering provides a balance between quick, light connected feel to the pavement while retaining a strong sense of stability through the city’s heavy traffic. The LS is based on rearwheel drive.
It was a quiet, comfortable ride in the roomy interior of red and black leather, with its floating armrests and well-placed grab handles. A 23-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound and dual-zone climate control added to the pleasantness.
Most of the highway drive was split between Sport and Comfort settings, with only 3 or 4 miles on the milder Eco; at the finish the LS had averaged 19.3 miles per gallon. With an EPA estimate of 17/27, it should have done better in fuel mileage. The Lexus rides on Bridgestone Turanza 245/45R20 tires.
Behind the huge spindle grille and beneath the long hood these days is a 416-horsepower, 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddleshifters. The Lexus planners removed
V-8 power from the LS several years ago.
With the F Sport-tuned adaptive variable suspension, the big sedan performs very well. It is 206.1 inches in overall length on a wheelbase of 123 inches. That lacks only 3 inches of measuring up to a new Mercedes-benz
S550. The Lexus’ curb weight is a bit over 5,100 pounds.
For 2023, Lexus has replaced a touchy touchpad controller with a new infotainment system with wireless Apple Carplay/ Android Auto connectivity and advanced safety technology, including precollision system with pedestrian detection and intersection turning assist.
With the added $3,250 for AWD, $1,940 for the Levinson sound, $1,220 for head-up display and $1,000 for panorama glass roof, the sticker price reached $88,545.
The LS flagship sedan, built in Tahara, Aichi, Japan, was introduced into the U.S. in 1989 as a 1990 model at the Detroit Auto Show. The first official sales began on Sept. 1, 1989, followed by limited exports to Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
The original engine was the 4.0-liter, 32-valve V-8 of
250 horsepower with 4-speed automatic transmission.