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2008 Lexus LS 600h L Quality Review

July 22, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

spacious for adults, though taller drivers may need more headroom
ConsumerGuide

Seating and accommodations are as regal as you'd expect
ForbesAutos

it yields vast space for rear-seat occupants
Kelley Blue Book

Trunk space is a serious issue
Edmunds

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L features decadent luxury in terms of seating, but actual interior room and trunk space are surprisingly skimpy.

Front seats in the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L are ample and comfortable, but a very wide center console makes the seating area feel unexpectedly narrow. ConsumerGuide reports that "front [seating] is spacious for adults, though taller drivers may need more headroom." The rear seats are "adult-roomy here, too." Kelley Blue Book concurs: The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L's back row "yields vast space for rear-seat occupants."

Edmunds reports that this Lexus 2008 model's "seating and accommodations are as regal as you'd expect in a car of this category, and then some: the rear seats can be equipped with every possible power, climate and entertainment control, including a massage feature that is surprisingly effective in reproducing the actions of a Shiatsu masseur." Motor Trend confirms this impression: "to get a sense from behind the wheel, imagine sinking into a lavish and serene home-entertainment room, replete with Eames lounge chairs covered in the supplest leather."

Where the 2008 Lexus hybrid falls short is in storage and cargo space. ConsumerGuide says "trunk is sufficient for most travel needs, but the rear air conditioning trims the volume by a full 6.0 cu ft." In addition, "the trunk lid uses hinges that further rob useful space." However, they report "in-cabin small-item storage is good." Edmunds reports that "trunk space is a serious issue...hybrid components and the optional rear seat climate control system drop capacity to a middling 11.7 cubic feet (2 cubes less than a Toyota Yaris)." ForbesAutos proposes this is "due to the need to fit a huge battery and other electrical equipment behind the rear seat...it'll fit two duffels or moderate-sized golf bags, but that's about it."

Conceivably, the Lexus 2008 LS 600h L could have gotten a perfect 10 on interior materials alone; ConsumerGuide reports "top-quality materials with numerous soft-touch surfaces." Edmunds says "from the exquisite stitching in the leather to the matching of the wood grain, the fit and finish is without peer," while Kelley Blue Book waxes enthusiastic about "acres of creamy aniline cowhide French stitched like a Folies Bergere corset." The only downside is that some of the switchgear mimics the type used in much cheaper Lexus models.

According to ConsumerGuide, this 2008 Lexus is "one of the quietest cars on the market...the engine is nearly silent at idle and emits a subdued growl under aggressive acceleration...there is virtually no tire, road, or wind noise." Edmunds says the Lexus 2008 LS 600h L's "ability to accelerate up to around 20 mph using electric power only can make this huge luxury sedan seem almost eerily quiet in traffic."

Conclusion

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L provides royal rear-seat room and interior finishes, though it’s narrower than other big luxury sedans.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:spacious for adults, though taller drivers may need more headroomConsumerGuideSeating and accommodations are as regal as you'd expectForbesAutosit yields vast space for rear-seat occupantsKelley Blue BookTrunk space is a serious issueEdmunds The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L features decadent luxury in terms of seating, but actual interior room and trunk space are surprisingly skimpy. Front seats in the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L are ample and comfortable, but a very wide center console makes the seating area feel unexpectedly narrow. ConsumerGuide reports that "front [seating] is spacious for adults, though taller drivers may need more headroom." The rear seats are "adult-roomy here, too." Kelley Blue Book concurs: The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L's back row "yields vast space for rear-seat occupants." Edmunds reports that this Lexus 2008 model's "seating and accommodations are as regal as you'd expect in a car of this category, and then some: the rear seats can be equipped with every possible power, climate and entertainment control, including a massage feature that is surprisingly effective in reproducing the actions of a Shiatsu masseur." Motor Trend confirms this impression: "to get a sense from behind the wheel, imagine sinking into a lavish and serene home-entertainment room, replete with Eames lounge chairs covered in the supplest leather." Where the 2008 Lexus hybrid falls short is in storage and cargo space. ConsumerGuide says "trunk is sufficient for most travel needs, but the rear air conditioning trims the volume by a full 6.0 cu ft." In addition, "the trunk lid uses hinges that further rob useful space." However, they report "in-cabin small-item storage is good." Edmunds reports that "trunk space is a serious issue...hybrid components and the optional rear seat climate control system drop capacity to a middling 11.7 cubic feet (2 cubes less than a Toyota Yaris)." ForbesAutos proposes this is "due to the need to fit a huge battery and other electrical equipment behind the rear seat...it'll fit two duffels or moderate-sized golf bags, but that's about it." Conceivably, the Lexus 2008 LS 600h L could have gotten a perfect 10 on interior materials alone; ConsumerGuide reports "top-quality materials with numerous soft-touch surfaces." Edmunds says "from the exquisite stitching in the leather to the matching of the wood grain, the fit and finish is without peer," while Kelley Blue Book waxes enthusiastic about "acres of creamy aniline cowhide French stitched like a Folies Bergere corset." The only downside is that some of the switchgear mimics the type used in much cheaper Lexus models. According to ConsumerGuide, this 2008 Lexus is "one of the quietest cars on the market...the engine is nearly silent at idle and emits a subdued growl under aggressive acceleration...there is virtually no tire, road, or wind noise." Edmunds says the Lexus 2008 LS 600h L's "ability to accelerate up to around 20 mph using electric power only can make this huge luxury sedan seem almost eerily quiet in traffic." ConclusionThe 2008 Lexus LS 600h L provides royal rear-seat room and interior finishes, though it’s narrower than other big luxury sedans.  2008 LEXUS LS 600h L STYLING | [7 out of 10] ForbesAutos: "the fourth-generation LS is a handsome car" Kelley Blue Book: "the hybrid edition gets several special touches" Edmunds: "Beautifully crafted and comfortable interior" If you appreciate the styling of other models in the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

All three of the German rivals to the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L are about the same size, but they have large-displacement 12-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive. The LS 600h L's powertrain has all-wheel drive, which makes it a bit better in some weather conditions, and it gets substantially better fuel economy than any of those rivals. The worst of these is the Mercedes-Benz S600, which has a downright sinful fuel economy rating of 11 mpg in the city. The LS 600h L's city rating is nearly double that, at 20 mpg. Each of these sedans has similarly expansive backseat space and offers an extensive list of over-the-top luxury features that cater to the front and the backseat occupants. Each also offers specific high-tech features that make them standouts in certain respects. Both the S-Class and the 7-Series offer optional night-vision systems that help illuminate the road, especially to spot animals up ahead. The A8 L 6.0 offers a solar-powered ventilated sunroof, a personal refrigerator, and an acclaimed Bang and Olufsen sound system that's perhaps the best in this class. In prestige, the LS 600h L lags behind the German rivals, with a big caveat: In celebrity circles, the LS 600h is instantly recognized, and its green reputation is the best.

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See the Lexus LS 600h L in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Joe #1, Posted: 8/10/2008

    You're kidding, right?

    How about comparing this car to the Audi A8L TDI? It performs better in every measure against the Lexus, including 10 mpg better fuel economy! I suppose this is what we've come to expect from a stable of writers who are blindly in love with all things Toyota and Lexus.
    From a popular European magazine that actually performed this comparison:
    "And our average of less than 20mpg suggests there are few reasons to opt for the hybrid over the standard LS460, which performs as well and is only slightly less economical. This poor result, combined with the fact the Lexus costs so much, means the Audi A8 earns an easy victory here. Not only is it £20,000 cheaper, it’s also better designed from superior materials, just as fast and around 10mpg more efficient."
    I guess if you have more dollars than sense, the Lexus would be a great car for you. Line up the Hollywood elite - we can point and laugh at them as they throw away their money to "appear" green.

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