Not sure about the load capacity thing, but the trunk space shrinks when you order the optional rear A/C unit. In the GS45h it is the hybrid battery pack that takes up the trunk space. Goes to show that Lexus engineers aren't as foward thinking as some would like you to believe. A Mercedes or BMW or Audi wouldn't ask you to make such compromises, especially for a rear A/C unit. Thats ridiculous for the simple fact that if you need the extra rear A/C unit you must be carrying more passengers, yet you have to decrease the amount of luggage you can carry. Retarded.

M

I can't wait to see how MBUSA prices the S450 when it arrives for the 2008 model year. For the first time a S-Class might cost the same as the Lexus, the LS460L version to be exact, loaded or mildy equipped. It was so brilliant for them to launch the S550 here first in order to win all the comparos and built momentum.

M

They would probably need to rent a Toyota Tundra to transport the luggage.

LOL

It's not that bad I suppose. I think most LS's will either be driven by a single driver (the owner) or two to three people: chauffeur and passenger. I can't really see this car as a "family car" in the US, I don't even have that impression of the S-Class in America.

Here in Europe though, the S-Class is quite a successful family and executive car. Not sure about the LS: there are just hardly any around over here.

Huh?

If we're honest, this is an excuse that was invented by Lexus fanboys that has made its way around the internet. There is no proof that this even true. Lexus are well-made cars, but so are those from the competition.

Many people criticized the Mercedes W210 E-Class (1996-2002) for lacking the durability and build quality of past Mercedes, and yet, one of father's friends has an 1996 or 1997 E230 W210 with over 500,000 km on the odometer and the car according to him has never failed him. This man uses his car to travel to Eastern Europe to do business there and as far as I know, they have some pretty bad roads there that should shake up a car pretty quickly. He also owns a 300SE (W126) S-Class with a similar mileage.

The point? Don't believe everything you hear. The LS and S-Class are both well-built cars that will last long enough. Also, Mercedes' recent quality offensive has shown tremendous improvements in build quality. If my father's friends E230 can last so long, then imagine an S-Class.

What I like about the S450 is that you have the option of choosing what you want and what you need. That's not possible in the Lexus LS460 because it comes fully equipped, often with stuff that nobody will need or never use.

I applaud Lexus for this, but coming from a conservative European background, I don't see the point in equipping a car with every conceivable option. First, it adds weight which affects fuel economy and I hate the idea of driving something that has this and that option that I'll never use.

My father insisted on ordering our E320 with a sunroof. I've never been a fan of sunroofs and needless to say, when driving the E320, I never use it. And it annoys me that the car has this option, despite me never making use of it. What's worse, my dad also hardly uses the sunroof. Other options we never use include the navigation system and the hands-free-cellphone system. We have an APS-50 navigation system in the car - yet my parents both are so old fashioned and like to rely on maps. How retarded is that!?

Lexus' options for the LS460/L here in the U.S. are just crazy:

Base Model $0.00
Base Model

Luxury Package with Additional Options $7,637.00
Luxury Package includes:
- Semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior
- Climate comfort front and rear seats with heat/cool knob
- Power rear seats with memory and power headrests
- Ecsaine headliner
- Rear-seat side airbags (SRS)

Additional Options:
- Mark Levinson® Audio System Package
- Advanced Parking Guidance System
- Lexus Link®
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)



Luxury Package with Additional Options $7,736.00
Luxury Package includes:
- Semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior
- Climate comfort front and rear seats with heat/cool knob
- Power rear seats with memory and power headrests
- Ecsaine headliner
- Rear-seat side airbags (SRS)

Additional Options:
- Mark Levinson® Audio System Package
- Advanced Parking Guidance System
- Lexus Link®
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)
- All-weather floor mats


Luxury Package with Additional Options $14,232.00
Luxury Package includes:
- Semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior
- Climate comfort front and rear seats with heat/cool knob
- Power rear seats with memory and power headrests
- Ecsaine headliner
- Rear-seat side airbags (SRS)

Additional Options:
- Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Mark Levinson® Audio System Package
- Adaptive Variable Air Suspension (AVS) and Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS)
- Rear-Seat Upgrade Package
- Advanced Parking Guidance System
- Lexus Link®
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)


Luxury Package with Additional Options $14,331.00
Luxury Package includes:
- Semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior
- Climate comfort front and rear seats with heat/cool knob
- Power rear seats with memory and power headrests
- Ecsaine headliner
- Rear-seat side airbags (SRS)

Additional Options:
- Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Mark Levinson® Audio System Package
- Adaptive Variable Air Suspension (AVS) and Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS)
- Rear-Seat Upgrade Package
- Advanced Parking Guidance System
- Lexus Link®
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)
- All-weather floor mats


Executive-Class Seating Package with Additional Options $22,275.00
Executive-Class Seating Package includes:
- Four-person seating with rear fixed console
- Semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior
- Four-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat infrared temperature sensor, interior air filter, smog sensor and automatic recirculation mode
- Rear-seat air purifier
- Right-rear power recliner with multi-function massager and legrest
- Rear seat wood-trimmed table
- Lexus DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES) with power 9 inch screen
- Rear-seat audio controls
- Rear-seat cool box
- Power rear-door sunshades
- Ecsaine headliner
- Rear-seat side airbags (SRS)

Additional Options:
- Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Mark Levinson® Audio System Package
- Adaptive Variable Air Suspension (AVS) and Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS)
- Advanced Parking Guidance System
- Lexus Link®
- Intuitive Parking Assist


Executive-Class Seating Package with Additional Options $22,601.00
Executive-Class Seating Package includes:
- Four-person seating with rear fixed console
- Semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior
- Four-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat infrared temperature sensor, interior air filter, smog sensor and automatic recirculation mode
- Rear-seat air purifier
- Right-rear power recliner with multi-function massager and legrest
- Rear seat wood-trimmed table
- Lexus DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES) with power 9 inch screen
- Rear-seat audio controls
- Rear-seat cool box
- Power rear-door sunshades
- Ecsaine headliner
- Rear-seat side airbags (SRS)

Additional Options:
- Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Mark Levinson® Audio System Package
- Adaptive Variable Air Suspension (AVS) and Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS)
- Advanced Parking Guidance System
- Lexus Link®
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)
- All-weather floor mats


Each package adds 1 or 2 more items more than the last one. It is kinda ridiculous. On Edmunds some of the buyers are really confused as to what they've even ordered or are getting because of this.

M

That's one long list of options and packages! Holy crap!

Good copout with the fanboy remark! My point being I see tons of old Lexus vehicles all over the place, as well as Toyota's and Nissans! What you expect me to believe that I just seem to miss the huge amounts of old German vehicles? I doubt that! Further more, you can't believe what you hear from Mercedes fanboys on built quality until it has a life cycle even close to Lexus, until then it's only talk!