Test Drive S 500, LS 460, 750i: Lords of the Road

The new Toyota flagship shines with state-of-the-art technology, exemplary safety, and surprisingly rich standard equipment. Is this LS 460 enough to end the dominance of the BMW 750i and Mercedes S 500?

The fourth generation Lexus LS aims to set new standards in the luxury class in terms of safety, driving dynamics, comfort and economy. It sounds a lot, even somehow too bold ...

Even the volume of the 624-page manual for the car suggests that in the endless list of equipment you can find such options that cannot be found even from the strongest competitors in the segment.

Lexus standard equipment is literally phenomenal

To achieve the LS 460 equipment level, buyers of two German models will have to invest at least another ten thousand euros, since the "Japanese" even has such things as a multimedia system with DVD-navigation, CD-changer, etc. as well as voice control technology for most functions. Adaptive cruise control with radar for detecting moving and standing objects is also available as an option, there is the possibility of a complete emergency stop of the car. The Pre-Crash system has also been enhanced to help the driver stay in lane accidentally and make parking easier.

However, in terms of quality, BMW and Mercedes definitely perform significantly better than Lexus. Compared to the two German models, the interior of the Lexus does not look very noble or very stylish, and the allowable weight of 399 kilograms is equal to a maximum of four passengers and small luggage. The good thing in this case is that there is plenty of room in the back, and the adjustable rear seats in all possible directions ensure perfect comfort at any distance.

Lexus' suspension range is clear early

On paved roads in perfect condition, the 2,1-ton LS 460 delivers superior driving comfort, thanks to its state-of-the-art air suspension and almost no aerodynamic noise. But the appearance of irregularities reduces comfort to an unusually low level for this class, and in more broken areas the limits of the chassis are more than obvious.

Equipped with a conventional steel suspension with slightly tighter adjustments, the 750i offers significantly more comfort, handling excellently even on very low quality roads. Yet the Bavarian's biggest selling point is its excellent handling and overall fantastic road dynamics that make the impressive limousine feel like a sports sedan. Adaptive steering also denies Lexus the best in road discipline and responds very precisely and precisely to even extreme driving styles.

Mercedes, on the other hand, impresses with the combination of excellent comfort and road behavior that a classic sports car can boast of, even for this class. Fantastic comfort is provided by both the air suspension, which literally absorbs all possible irregularities in the road surface, and the almost unrealistically low level of external noise. Even in the highest class of handcrafted machines, there is simply no other model that offers comfort close to perfection.

Mercedes also wins engine comparison

The 5,5-liter V8 S 500 performs better than its opponents in almost every way. Offering the same cultured and subtle manners as the other two models, it delivers more displacement, more power and torque and, above all, more traction than all revs and more spontaneous throttle response. The harmonious interaction with the perfectly tuned seven-speed gearbox completes the picture of a truly magnificent ride.

For the first time, the LS 460 uses a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, which aims to reduce both noise levels and fuel consumption. In fact, maintaining the lower speeds only marginally affects the two mentioned indicators. One reason for this is that maximum torque is only reached at 4100 rpm, so if you need more thrust it should regularly shift at least two degrees down. His nervous and not always fully justified reactions in certain situations even rise in price and do not have a positive effect on comfort.

The BMW gearbox works just as well as the Lexus - the ZF design has somewhat overcome the nervous reactions that were characteristic of the first production batches, and now has a balanced and harmonious character. However, the champion in this category is once again Mercedes, which with a seven-speed gearbox provides the perfect balance of comfort and dynamics, ensuring that the most appropriate gear is selected at the right time. This successful setting also has a positive effect on fuel consumption.

Lexus keeps only part of its promises

Lexus engineers have indeed managed to create what is arguably the best model in the company's history. But the ambitions were only partially realized. The LS 460 is actually a bit ahead of BMW, which is no doubt more than a decent achievement. But the competition is not over yet ...

Mercedes, which has a significantly more harmonious combination of engine and transmission, demonstrates better comfort, more dynamic handling and, ultimately, a more harmonious set of qualities. Add to all this the timeless styling of the S-Class, which has traditionally become a classic since its launch, and the winner of this test seems more than obvious ...

Text: Bernd Stegemann, Boyan Boshnakov

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

Evaluation

1.Mercedes S500

The S-Class deservedly wins this test thanks to its combination of unrivaled chassis comfort in this category and driving and cornering behavior almost like a sports model. Apart from the high price, the S 500 has practically no flaws.

2. Lexus LS460

The LS 460 scores points for its incredibly rich equipment and ample interior space, but falls short of the high expectations for comfort and dynamics on the road.

3. BMW 750i

The 750i draws sympathy mainly for its superbly dynamic on-road behavior, with comfort not being secondary either. However, safety features and ergonomics need to be improved.

technical details

1.Mercedes S500	2. Lexus LS460	3. BMW 750i
Working volume	-	-	-
Power	285 kW (388 hp)	280 kW (380 hp)	270 kWh 367 hp)
Maximum torque	-	-	-
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	6,1 with	6,5 with	5,7 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	39 m	38 m	37 m
full speed	250 km / h	250 km / h	250 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	15,2 l / 100 km	15,3 l / 100 km	14,8 l / 100 km
Base Price	91 987 EUR (in Germany)	82 000 EUR (in Germany)	83 890 EUR (in Germany)