Lexus LS430
Not all wealthy people want to make a huge impression. The amazing success of Lexus over the past 14 years is proof positive, thanks to a range of well equipped and luxurious cars finding buyers who put substance before show.
The LS will no doubt continue to sell to a loyal band of enthusiastic owners, and there's no denying its capabilities in the luxury sector. For value for money and refinement, even at £56,850 it's hard to beat. But we can't help but wish that Lexus had introduced a bit more character during the facelift, as to some buyers it simply won't feel special enough.
Not all wealthy people want to make a huge impression. The amazing success of Lexus over the past 14 years is proof positive, thanks to a range of well equipped and luxurious cars finding buyers who put substance before show.
The LS is the flagship of the range, and is the car that started it all back in 1989. But sales have dropped over the past year, as new models from BMW, Jaguar and Audi have brought fresh technology to the luxury market. In response, Lexus has facelifted the LS, and we've driven it to see if it can match up to the competition.
Visually, the newcomer is little different from its predecessor. Look closely, and you'll notice smoother flanks, a different grille and revised light clusters, while butch-looking 18-inch alloy wheels are now standard. The effect makes the Lexus look even more like a Mercedes S-Class than it did before.
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Unlike its German rival, only one model will be offered in the UK, yet there's nothing missing from the spec list. New equipment includes Adaptive Forward Lighting, which turns the headlight angle with the steering, a rear view video camera, knee airbags, plus an audio and sat-nav system that can be combined with Bluetooth technology to allow wireless connection to your mobile phone. It's all very clever, and if you threw in every Lexus goodie when ordering Mercedes' S430, you would add more than £10,000 to the basic £58,820 purchase price.
Open the door, and it's obvious Lexus has gone to town with the cabin as well. In the rear, it has an integrated cool box, reclining seats and backrests that give you a massage as you're being driven along. Meanwhile, the rear armrest incorporates controls for the highly impressive Mark Levinson audio system. Our only criticism is levelled at the minor controls, some of which are still plucked from Toyota's parts bin and have a cheap, plasticky feel out of sorts with the car's image.
On the road, the LS430 still exhibits the silky ride comfort that made it so popular in the first place, while the cabin is virtually silent unless you're accelerating hard. A new six-speed automatic gearbox with manual change option makes for smoother progress and greater flexibility, although the unit can sometimes feel jerky if left in sports auto mode. The steering seems sharper than the outgoing car's, too, although this is more a result of the new wheel and tyre combination than any major engineering change.
All of which ensures the LS430 is an exceptionally pleasant and relaxing car to spend time in. It's a fine machine, but in today's company, it still looks dated and lacks the feeling of prestige that makes some rivals so special.
