I like it but compared to the german it just looks soooooooooooo production line... Lexus has not found a soul yet... its lacking in the interior and exterior

That is true. As far as I know Lexus doesn't let you do custom paintjobs either, nor make exotic colour choices for your interior... The Germans have a level of customisation that far exceeds that of Lexus. That's one thing Lexus will have to address. Lexus Individual?

It wouldn't surprise me if Lexus came out with that exact name given their tendencies in the past.

Well, the car sure must be really impressive...

The exterior is not that bad for a Lexus, but the interior...

What has shoked me on all Lexus I saw, are the buttons: gray, old-fashioned, cheap-looking... The same form than a W124... Really strange!

The dashboard actually reminds me of the Toyota Avensis, it really lacks exclusivity.

However, even if I love the S-class, like the A8 quite good (just the rear bothers me), and the 7-series (impressive with the adaptative drive), and generally hate the Lexus, for their lack of originality and passion...

The hybrid is really a step that the Germans should have taken! they are working hard to close the gap, but the green image of Lexus is done... Too late!!

The Bluetec is a good move from Benz, I'm waiting for the Bluetec hybrid.

Hurry up!!!

Count me in, the list too mate ...!

my bussines partner bought this car and waits for delivery in January, all I heared so far is just A+, its not that attractive outside as it is immpresive inside, however it looks as perfect choice for bussines car and decent rival for high class BMW and MB sedans

I guess that's what you get for buying a 120k Toyota. j/k

Well, it's very easy if one is a German car fan, to 'put down' or otherwise diminish the achievments of Lexus.

Now, my personal preference, or overall favourite for lack of a better word, has been Mercedes.

But I'm not blind to their faults, and am happy to criticise.

Ditto Lexus.

I would agree re the interior of the LS600 lacking a sense of 'style' when comparing to the likes of the S Class Mercedes. However, cultural values and preferences re what is deemed 'classy' etc will come into it as well, as is always going to be the case with something so personal and subjective as regards style and that sense of 'class' etc.

I prefer the European aesthetic personally, and for that reason much prefer the sense of style of the S Class over an LS600 Lexus.

However, on exterior panel gaps and assembly quality, the Lexus still appears to be the better, more precisely made car, and is certainly a product of superior tooling, of that there appears little doubt.

There is much difficulty in attempting to assess the overall quality of a car, for there are areas of quality that cannot be perceived and are not mentioned in brochures or published information, but style aside, and trying to be as objective as possible, the quality elements of the big Lexus appear to me to be without peer. IMHO of course!

I know a number of German & European car fans as friends, and the Toyota connection is often trotted out as if to diminish Lexus, because of it's humble connections.

But one can also point to Mercedes humble connection with the lowly blue collar market with its trucks and buses, and then there is BMW with it's motorcycles - but often car brand 'victims' choose to be selective about what they want to see, and not see when it comes to criticism and being objective at the same time...lol

What is undeniable is that the Lexus LS600 has won the 2007 World Car of the Year award; something that deserves high praise.

They might not quite be my cup of tea in the driving stakes, where I prefer Mercedes, but if I could have as much confidence in Mercedes quality and reliability, as I do in Lexus, I would be an even happier man.

Superb engineering and automotive design, is superb engineering and automotive design regardless of who or where it is made, and needs recognition, IMHO of course.

Well done Lexus...

But I will myself prefer to drive a Benz, but hey, that's just me....

Best regards to all

John...

Nice review James. I'm a car fan who appreciates all cars from all over the world. Even though I don't like this car as much as the S-class, I will give props to Lexus. They have made a beautiful car with the right looks and classy interior that bests almost all the the germans. Of course, no die hard german fan will ever like this car. But personally, I think this car is the most reasonable choice and the perfect competitor.

LS starts at $61k
7er starts at $75k
A8 starts at $70
S starts at $87k

Now as a car the LS offers pretty much what the others do. Now it only comes down to taste and common sense. If you have money, then a badge might be worth the extra 20k or so, but for most people it's not. Fanboyism aside, it is very hard to justify the other cars over the LS.

I've been seeing more and more of this car in my neighborhood and on the highways here, so this car is definitely selling well. The more I see it the more I like it. Believe it or not, the main color I've seen is black.

Honestly, I will still take the S550 over the LS, but my reasons are justifiable. I like everything about the S more: interior, exterior, gadgets, aesthetics, ergonomics, the seats, the engine grunt, etc. Almost everything about the S is better, but sometimes even I question whether it's $20k better than the LS.

actually, those MB heavy duty vehicles cost more than any LS or S-class, and are as technologically advanced as any luxury passager cars.
On the other hand, Lexus and Toyota do actually share design. Just take a look at Lexus GS and IS's v6. It is the same v6 engine found in camry, abeit with both seqiential and direct injection and other mods.