I'll start things off with the conclusion of the last time we tested a Lexus LS500h, in 2020.
We wrote the following: 'The only things that have to be improved are the drivetrain, which feels a little nervous, and the touchpad...
with which you operate the multimedia.' Clearly, Lexus has listened, because this is the facelifted LS500h which is supposed to have...
a new infotainment system and a differently tuned drivetrain. However, it's still a hybrid without a plug,
which is unique. But when it comes to price and power, a Mercedes-Benz S450 4Matic makes for a very good comparison.
There have been several changes to the outside of the Lexus as well. Before, you had stretched out headlights. Those are gone now.
The lower part of the bumper is tighter now as well. What has remained, is the stretched side profile.
That's unique in this segment as well. That's partly because of the third window over here, but also because of the stretched roof...
and a very short rear. That makes it a very unique appearance.
And it will always look like this, because it's only available in one size. Other manufacturers tend to have both short-...
and long wheelbase versions, and Lexus says this car is aiming at the long wheelbase-versions. That means we have to move to the back.
Of course, there's more than enough room in the back of a Lexus LS. The seat in front of me is in an usable position,
and as you can see, my knees have enough room. It's not that great, but there's nothing wrong with it. However, when it comes...
to the headroom, it's relatively limited for a car like this. There's a lot of luxury though, because this is the President-trim level.
It has all of the features Lexus has to offer. So if you're on the left or the right, you'll have all of the luxury in the world.
There's a middle seat as well, but I'd keep it folded away. That way, you have access to this little touchscreen.
With this screen, you can operate everything. The seats for example. And not only my own, but the one in front of me as well.
With the press of a button, it folds away. Also, the headrest folds away for the driver, so he can still see the side-view mirrors.
With that, you've got much more legroom. That also means you can stretch out your own seat and lie down for a bit.
Just let the footrest pop up and tuck in. However, if you want to stretch out, keep in mind there's still a seat in front of you.
But I'm really complaining about small things now.
The seat I'm sitting on has both heating and cooling, and it has several massage functions.
That's very special. And even though the sunscreens it has don't sound special, it has one for every single side window.
On the inside, we have to kick things off with the most important new feature: the infotainment system.
It's the first thing that stands out as well. The screen is entirely new and it pops out of the dashboard, instead of being hidden away.
And that has a reason, because it's a touchscreen now. And that's a huge improvement. Before, you could only operate the system...
through a touchpad. We've written and said a lot of things about it, but it just didn't work properly. The cursor was constantly...
moving about which was very unpleasant, considering all of the functions being in that screen.
The touchpad is still there, so if you really like it, you can still use it. However, because it's a touchscreen now, you don't have to be...
annoyed anymore. At the same time, it's not the best system there is. The bar is very high in this segment, but this looks like a Toyota-system.
And it basically is, but it's got a bigger screen and more functionality. So it's not a bad system, but I wouldn't call it groundbreaking.
Unlike the S-Class, which I would call groundbreaking.
What this car has nailed perfectly is the finishing in the interior. The same goes for the styling. However, just like the exterior,
it's a matter of taste. And this has a more remarkable design than the Mercedes, but I absolutely love it. What's not a matter of taste...
is that the quality is really good. The materials looks great and it all feels very nice.
And of course, as we know from Lexus, it doesn't only look pretty, it's made really well too. And this car is no exception.
What stands out immediately when you get into this car, is that it doesn't feel that big. That might sound strange for a big car...
like this, but it doesn't feel that wide and you're pretty much encapsulated as a driver. The buttons are pretty close, this is quite high,
the steering wheel is relatively small... I mean, if you would've told me this was supposed to rival the BMW 5-series, for which Lexus...
has the ES, I would've believed you when it comes to the size. And that's a good thing if you're planning on driving it yourself mostly.
It just doesn't feel as huge as it actually is. Except for when you want to park it.
When it comes to the drivetrain, not a lot has changed at first sight. The power has remained the same and it still has the Lexus...
multi stage-hybrid system. That means it's got a 3.5-litre V6 which is connected to two electric motors, a CVT-gearbox,
and a fully automatic four-speed gearbox. It's an incredibly complicated system, which Lexus uses for the LC500h as well.
However, Lexus says they've changed certain aspects. It now relies more on the electric motor so it now feels smoother.
It doesn't feel like it has to work very hard for it anymore. Having said that, Lexus has clearly listened to criticisms.
That was a thing in the pre-facelift LS500. And it has worked partly. I only drove the pre-facelift LS for a short while,
but it immediately stood out to me that the engine had to work very hard when you even went near the throttle.
In this car, it's not the case anymore. If you press the accelerator only halfway, the V6 sounds natural and pretty good at that.
You really get the feeling it all goes very easily and smoothly, and that's how it supposed to be in a car like this. That's important.
When you put your foot down however, for a quick overtaking maneuver, it will start shouting at you. That makes it sound a little bit...
out of breath. Especially for a car like this, because for this amount of money you're allowed to expect something better.
With this sound, you won't be satisfied I think.
I do have to say, on the other hand it's proven to be extremely reliable and much more economical.
In this segment, that's important as well. Just look at the amount of diesels they sold in this segment in the recent history.
However, on paper, this car isn't more economical than the S-Class, so we'll have to see how they hold up to each other when we start...
measuring the fuel numbers.
Other than that, it's an extremely comfortable car with air suspension. It'll properly come to life when you just keep it in Comfort-mode.
Just enjoy the comfort, that's available in very large quantities. Also, it doesn't feel that distant either, so it's a great travel companion.
This S-Class isn't the reason we've put these cars next to each other today, because the facelifted LS is.
However, as a car, it's much newer than the LS. And that's something you'll notice immediately when you get in.
It looks more modern and it's much more advanced when it comes to technology. And it shows. There's big screens everywhere in front of you...
and they're pretty impressive as well, with those resolutions. The instrument cluster even is a 3D-system, which you really have to get...
used to or even get nauseous from. It all looks great and very modern. Having said that, the interior is much more impressive than...
the LS. Not that the finishing is any better or something, but the design in the S-Class is literally in a class of its own.
Also, technologically it's so advanced. The screens are incredibly big, the mood lighting is incredibly comprehensive, I can guarantee you...
that if you take passengers with you in this car, they'll be truly amazed with the interior.
Despite the LS looking a tad more normal. And it's still a great looking car, consider that.
With this S-Class, Mercedes has introduced a new version of their MBUX-system. We've discussed that already in other tests,
so I won't talk too much about it. But let me quickly refresh your memory. Most importantly, it's not a horizontal extension of...
the instrument cluster anymore. Instead, it's now over here and right within reach. It now has a completely square shape as well.
The great thing about it is that it houses a lot of functions, but that it's incredibly accessible.
They've really thought it through very well. For example, if you want to select Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, there's always an icon...
available to directly take you to that function. Just like there's always an icon to turn off the 3D-instrument cluster, if you don't like that...
like me. The climate control is always visible and because the screen is this clear and fast, you'll be settled in a few days.
At the same time, and this is unevitable in a car that relies this heavily on technology, the Mercedes is much more meddlesome than the Lexus.
The Lexus is more traditional and you can set off in it without the car whining about anything. In here however, it tends to remind you...
about your seating position, or that the sensors can't read your face properly or that you have to have both hands on the steering wheel.
Even when you do. Those kinds of things are much more common in this car than in the Lexus.
Speaking of hands on the steering wheel, when it comes to driving assists, the Mercedes is clearly ahead of the Lexus.
It's able to change lanes by itself, it'll keep itself in the middle of the lane it's in, so when you're on the motorway, you really...
don't have to do anything. That's something that can't be said of the Lexus, yet.
This S450 is the entry level petrol version of the S-Class, but that doesn't sound justified. It's still a turbocharged straight-six...
with mild-hybrid assistance with a total power output of 367 horsepower. That's a tad more than in the Lexus, but it's very close.
Most importantly, this engine fits perfectly in this car. It's rapid, not like an S63 or anything, but more than quick enough.
And it always feels like it doesn't have to work too hard. Even when you put your foot all the way down.
Of course the revs start rising, but it feels more relaxed than the Lexus. The same goes for the gear changes, which you barely feel.
The engine is connected to a fully-automatic nine speed gearbox, whilst the Lexus has a very complicated CVT-system.
It still works very well, but it sometimes feels shocky. Especially when you're braking. This car doesn't have that. It's just silky smooth.
This is just a nicer drivetrain than in the Lexus, and it's even more economical. I mentioned it earlier already, which is very typical.
This is just a mild hybrid, whilst the Lexus is a full-blown hybrid. However, it's also heavier. Despite this Mercedes weighing 2.000 kg,
it's still 400 kg lighter than the Lexus LS500h.
Other than that, the comfort in this car is of an even higher level than the LS. It might sound like nitpicking on a detailed level,
but in this segment, you can really tell those small differences. The springs don't seem to end in here and it makes you feel incredibly comfortable.
Also, you really feel isolated from the outside world.
Then there's something interesting going on with the size of this car. When you get in, it feels much bigger than the Lexus.
I've measured it, and the interior width is actually pretty much the same. But it still feels that way. It's a huge car, and the Mercedes-star...
all the way up front helps with that impression. However, at the same time it's much more agile than the LS. That's because...
this particular car has rear-wheel steering. The rear wheels can turn up to ten degrees if you get the right wheels.
That makes it crazily agile. According to Mercedes, it has a shorter turning circle than an A-Class, and I believe them on that.
In the city, it's very easy to turn around and reposition this car. And that's a very handy feature for a car of this size.
When you're in the market for an S-Class, you can still choose between a short- or a long wheelbase-version.
In reality however, about 90 percent of the buyers tend to buy this long wheelbase-version.
And it's longer than the LS500h, something you can see in the interior space. Just look at the legroom, which is almost criminally big.
The same goes for the headroom, which is clearly larger than in the LS500h.
Also, you're able to increase the space in here. You can shove the seat in front of your further forwards and fold out your own...
seat. I do have to say, this particular S-Class has a few less options than the Lexus, but if you would smack another €10.000 on this S-Class,
and you've got everything you need. The S-Class is also more spacious in the boot,
with the difference being over 100 litres. Of course, that's because the Lexus has a battery pack underneath the floor.
Also, it's more practical, because the Mercedes comes with a ski hatch, and the Lexus doesn't.
Lexus has improved the LS on certain key points, which have made the car significantly better as a whole.
It's still a car for an acquired taste, so it's something you'll have to get used to, but it's a car with clear qualities as well.
At the same time, the S-Class is the better car. It's more spacious, it's more comfortable, it's more advanced,
and it's not even more expensive than the LS. That makes the choice a lot easier, wouldn't you say?