Lexus LS (07 on) - Review

The LS460 travels in near silence, with the smallest hint of contact with the road from the tyres and the suggestion of wind whispering around the windscreen pillars at speed. SE and SE-L models have four-zone climate control as standard with air diffusers set into the roof lining to ensure the desired temperature is achieved without any unpleasant draughts. Front seats are electrically adjustable, heated and air-conditioned. Air conditioned rear seats are fitted on SE and SE-L models, which are also electrically adjustable. The LS600h L (long-wheelbase) is available with a rear-sear relaxation pack - this allows the rear seat (behind the front passenger) to fully recline and includes an advanced massage function.

The standard LS comes without rear seat air-conditioning and electric adjustment, and therefore has a larger boot. At 505 litres, it is acceptable but not huge for such a large car, while in the air-conditioned rear cars there is only 385 litres in total - the same as a Ford Focus. There is plenty of stowage in the front armrest plus the doorbins and glove compartment are quite generous. All models come with a rear parking monitor and parking sensors, although a 'park assist system' is available where the car can steer itself into a parking space in a reverse parallel parking manoeuvre while the driver carefully controls the car's speed using the brake pedal. The LS600h has significantly reduced boot space as the rear of the car houses the battery. It's 330 litres is little better than a Vauxhall Astra Sporthatch.

The highest quality materials have been used in the passenger compartment of the LS, although the wood trim doesn't give it the most modern of appearances. There also seem to be many buttons bearing acronyms for activating or disabling the car's many electronic systems, while switches and buttons borrowed from Toyota aren't what you'd expect on a car this expensive. The electrically adjustable driver's seat and motorised steering adjustment mean drivers of all shapes and sizes should find their ideal driving position quite easily. Visibility is good, but where the rear DVD entertainment system is specified, the screen lowers from the roof, and completely obscures the view from the rear-view mirror for the driver.