Luxury Lexus Is … But Flawed

27 September 2021

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By Paul Gover.

It only takes one apple …

In the case of the Lexus LS, a lovely luxury flagship, it’s the infotainment system which ruins things.

Some people will adjust to the quirky workings of the electronics in the LS, which has had a minor facelift and mechanical tweak with extra niceness for 2021, but for me it is a flawed masterpiece.

At the top end of motoring, where Mercedes-Benz and BMW continue to set the highest benchmark with their S-Class and 7-Series headliners, the Lexus continues to fall just short. It’s been the same since the LS was created to lead the Lexus brand, way back in 1989.

Not that it’s a bad car. And, at many times and in many situations, it’s a very good car.

For relaxed and cosseting touring, or a swish arrival at a special function, it’s very hard to beat.

The 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine is incredibly quiet and refined, sitting comfortably as part of the package in the LS500 – which once got its name from its 5-litre V8 engine – test car with F Sport package.

There is the cabin space and boot capacity you expect in a flagship car and the Lexus designers and craftspeople have created a cabin that is truly sumptuous. There is no complaint about the materials or the design, apart from an analogue clock that is invisible to the driver for most of the time.

The performance is strong, the fuel economy is great, and the LS – as always – feels as if it could crush a Sydney-to-Melbourne trip without causing the slightest drama or fatigue.

There is more safety equipment for 2021, including hazard alerts while turning at junctions and a digital rear-view camera. The car is not rated by ANCAP but is surely a solid 5-star car.

The suspension has also been slightly tweaked but there was no need for changes to the 10-speed automatic, which is a seamless friend in most conditions but can also give snappy shifts for a bit of fun in the F Sport.

Visually, few people could pick the changes to the ’21 car, which now comes with Lexus Connected Services that include an automatic SOS after a collision.

The LS is not a cheap car, starting from just below $200,000 and easy to push beyond the double-ton, and that’s why it’s one significant flaw is so important.

The brilliantly vast display screen is great, and so is the punch from the top-end Levinson sound system, but the menu package in the infotainment system is confusing, hard to navigate, and paired with a haptic touchpad that is not good. When other brands do this stuff so well, Lexus needs to admit defeat and take the proven route instead of playing by itself.

Some people will not be offended by the infotainment, or will adjust quickly, but it’s a quirk in a car that is so good in so many ways that it – and owners – deserve better.