2019 Lexus LS 500h Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What's new

New Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa functionsAdds semi-automated lane-change feature to optional safety packagePart of the fifth LS generation introduced for 2018

　　Look past its bold and angular style and you'll find that the 2019 Lexus LS 500h hybrid has all of the quintessential Lexus qualities that make it one of the world's elite luxury sedans: a pillowy and cushioned ride, a whisper-quiet interior and world-class build quality.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$165/mo  for LS 500h Base

　　LS 500h Base

　　4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $79,960 MSRP4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) (Most Popular) - $83,180 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　Last year's overhaul didn't leave much to be improved on today's model, but for 2019, the LS 500h offers more connected and safety tech and a handful of new style options. Apple CarPlay is finally available for iPhone users (Android Auto is still curiously absent) and Amazon Alexa functionality allows the virtual assistant to start the LS, lock and unlock its doors, and check its fuel level.

　　They're small changes but worthy refinements for the car's latest generation, which features a coupe-like profile, a new suspension design, and an elongated chassis with more passenger room than its predecessor.

　　Whether the LS hybrid makes financial sense is another story. Rated at 28 mpg combined, the 500h returns just 5 mpg more than its standard gasoline-powered counterpart but costs several thousand dollars more. If you're counting on fuel savings to justify the hybrid's additional cost, you could be waiting a while.

　　In truth, the best reason to buy this hybrid is for the instant womp of power delivered by its dual electric motors. And with its whisper-quiet interior, cushioned ride and cutting-edge safety tech, the 2019 Lexus LS 500h proves that Europeans aren't the only ones who can build world-class luxury.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our First Drive of the Lexus LS 500 (turbo 3.5L V6 | 10-speed automatic | AWD). While the hybrid's performance character will vary from the non-hybrid LS 500, our impressions on comfort, interior and technology will also apply to the hybrid.

　　

Driving

　　We found the non-hybrid V6 engine was slow to respond to pedal pressure, but the hybrid's electrical assist at low speeds may alleviate that condition. Handling is stable — neither sporty nor floppy.

　　

Comfort

　　The LS traditionally prioritizes comfort over performance, and the 2018 model is no different. The seats offer a dizzying array of adjustments, with heating, cooling and massage functions. The suspension shrugs off rough roads, and the cabin is as quiet as a tomb.

　　

Interior

　　The low roofline gives the illusion of a smaller car, but there's ample room for four passengers. Taller rear passengers will find the headroom tight, though reclining seats help reclaim some sense of space. The rear middle seat is too narrow for a fifth adult; this is really a four-passenger sedan. Many vehicle settings are located in virtual menus, and the infotainment controller is frustratingly difficult to use.

　　

Utility

　　It offers a large trunk (15.2 cubic feet), with a wide opening for easy cargo loading, although the shape narrows near the rear seatbacks. The ample small-item storage inside makes it ideal for longer journeys.

　　

Technology

　　The LS offers a comprehensive set of driver aids, but the adaptive cruise is not as smooth as rival systems. The large central display screen is beautiful, and the optional Mark Levinson premium sound system is worth the cost.

　　

Which LS 500h does zzdcar recommend?

　　The LS is available in just one very well-appointed trim level, so you choose only which extras you want. The 28-way adjustable seats and adjustable air suspension are nice, but make sure to get the spectacular audio system upgrade and the Safety System+ A package. The former delivers a rich audio experience, while the latter adds a host of useful driver assistance features.

　　

2019 Lexus LS 500h models

　　The 2019 Lexus LS 500h is a full-size luxury sedan with seating for five passengers. It comes in a single, well-appointed trim level with a handful of stand-alone options and options packages. Even without a single option, the LS 500h comes loaded with the safety and comfort features you'd expect of this class.

　　Standard equipment on the LS 500h is extensive and begins with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 horsepower) connected to a pair of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. Total system horsepower is 354 hp, with power distributed through a continuously automatic variable transmission. Rear-wheel drive comes standard; all-wheel drive is optional.

　　Highlights include 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, LED headlights, a sunroof, a hands-free trunk, power-closing doors, leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade.

　　Technology features include a 12.3-inch central display, a navigation system, a trackpad-style interface, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Lexus Enform services, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and a 12-speaker audio system.

　　Finally, standard driver aids include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and automatic wipers.

　　The LS 500h can be further tailored to your taste with a comprehensive options list. The Interior Upgrade package adds leather upholstery with quilted stitching, 28-way power-adjustable driver seat, and heated rear seats, among other items.

　　The Luxury package adds a 28-way adjustable seat for the passenger, 18-way adjustable and reclining rear seats, four-zone climate control, power rear side sunshades, an armrest-mounted touchscreen controller for climate and seat functions, and rear-seat knee airbags.

　　The Executive package truly transforms the LS 500h into a luxury shuttle, adding butterfly rear headrests, individual climate control settings, heated and ventilated rear seats with massaging function, and an extendable ottoman footrest for the right-side rear passenger. The cabin is further embellished with hand-pleated trim and stylized glass materials.

　　Additional safety aids come with the Safety System+ A package, which among other safety-related features, adds adaptive cruise and automatic steering that can detect and "trace" the path of the vehicle in front.

　　Notable individual options include an adaptive air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, upgraded wood trim, a 24-inch head-up display and a premium 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

　　

2019 LS 500h Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$79,960
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$165/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles