Lexus LS 460 easily outscores Mercedes S550 in CR's tests of the ultra-luxury cruisers

You see Lexus LS 460 owners are worried about fuel economy, parking assist and senior citizen discounts.

Mercedes S-Class owners are concerned about acceleration, handling and braking.

I agree with Will, plus there is no mention of S550 performing better in acceleration, the LS460 has a smaller engine yet produces the same amount of hp. So no doubt it will win in this category too.
If people want to get sporty feelings from their car, they should be buying sport cars, or sedans, not luxury mules.

Overall, the LS460L outscored the S550 99% to 86%, that's A+ vs. B grade.

And since Lexuz owners are so concerned about a comfy ride and fuel economy then they should buy the Buick Lucerne.

Because after driving the LS460 and the Lucerne is like driving a couch.

there's truth to this.
the average S-class buyer is a decade younger than the average LS buyer. mid-50s vs. mid-60s.

read the press release again designer (i'm sure the full article will have much more on this):

"The Mercedes had more agile handling, better steering feel, and a slight edge in ride comfort and acceleration. But its score was hurt by its much lower fuel economy (21 mpg in the Lexus vs. 17 mpg in the Mercedes) and complicated controls that can be frustrating to use."

so if fuel economy and simple controls are your priority (as they are for consumers reports), then the lexus is your car!

"the average S-class buyer is a decade younger than the average LS buyer. mid-50s vs. mid-60s."

Now that makes a lot of difference doesn't it. Either way, the moron EL34 being in his 70s is definitely not the target buyer for either models.

"Although the S550 may have handled better and had better steering feedback, any buyer in this market wants to be coddled and not be a race car driver."

Will, I love both. You know you're exaggerating when comparing the S550 to a "race car." The thing is, it's just as comfortable as the Lexus, if not moreso. CR said themselves that it scored more points than the LS on comfort. It just also happens to have better handling and performance. You get what you pay for, in short.

I agree with "Will__" as well.

lol.

I agree on some points but disagree on others.

First of all, the Lexus LS 460 is a great car. However, it isn't better than the S550. I own both and their both great to drive and comfortable, expected from a 100K + luxury saloon.

You guys make it sound like the S550 is nothing and the LS is the king of luxury cars.

In reality, any car in this class is superb. I've had the chance to test drive the XJR, 7 series, A8 as well and their good. Only thing is the styling which is completely subjective.

If this website was anything but American then the Lexus would not be favored. Lexus was a brand aimed directly for the US Market so for sure Lexus will be favored.

The LS is a great car but we shouldn't get too ahead of ourselves here.

"LS460 has a smaller engine yet produces the same amount of hp. So no doubt it will win in this category too."

So what?

Mercedes' is known to produce big engines for the sake of extracting torque. Torque aids acceleration and acceleration aided by torque improves fuel economy significantly. This hp/liter stuff is something a racer might be concerned with, not luxury buyers.

Bill's quote, "Mercedes' is known to produce big engines for the sake of extracting torque. Torque aids acceleration and acceleration aided by torque improves fuel economy significantly. This hp/liter stuff is something a racer might be concerned with, not luxury buyers."

Ouch! I think before you made this comment you forgot to check www.mbusa.com site, so here I'm being generous and correct your wrong info. :-)

My friend, the S550's mpg is 14 city/20-21 highway, where as the LS460 is 16 city/24 highway.
So true the S550 has more torque, and it better does with that huge engine, but don't let them fool you by telling you a bigger engine can have better gas mileages. That just can't happen. :-)

cawimmer, WHY DON'T WE GET ANY FUEL-EFFICIENT S-CLASSES IN THE US? My wife absolutely adores the car, but would feel very guilty driving the unnecessary S550. Not everyone in America needs a 380hp luxury sedan that gets 12mpg, so if you still work for Mercedes, can you tell them to put the S320 CDI--or at least the S450--over here?!?

Predicted reliablity should be good, the new S-class already outscored the LS in the JD Power Initial Quality Survey, it is definitely far better built than the last one.

I was referring to this:

"The S-Class ties with the Audi A8 (total) for having the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 72 problems per 100 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz shows dramatic improvement, particularly with its newly-redesigned S-Class, which improves 63 PP100"

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2007088

just for you houston....

"The Mercedes had more agile handling, better steering feel, and a slight edge in ride comfort and acceleration. But its score was hurt by its much lower fuel economy (21 mpg in the Lexus vs. 17 mpg in the Mercedes) and complicated controls that can be frustrating to use."

so if fuel economy and simple controls are your priority (as they are for consumers reports), then the lexus is your car!

not to mention road presence (looks) in which the S-class stand out by a long shot. just look where each gets parked at a valet.

consumer reports may not concern itself with looks when evaluating a $100,000+ car, but i assure you that buyers do.

houston, Mercedes-Benz as a BRAND may score lower than Lexus with JD Power, but the S-CLASS scores higher than the LS.

CR's "predicted reliability" is bullshit. You can't "predict" anything that can fluctuate so much. The W221 has, from what I've heard, been much more reliable than the last-generation S.

the S-class is superior in many ways--ride, acceleration, handling, comfort and looks. that's why buyers are willing to pay a HUGE premium for the S over the LS.

if both cars were priced at the S-class $100,000+, i doubt very many people would choose the LS.

Also, I give Consumer Reports only 5 points and AutoSpies gets 100 points.

Why go anywhere else other than AutoSpies to get the best news on cars?

EL34- Thanks! Your check is in the mail.

Agent009, Thank you!

Isn't this the best car website in the world? :)

Lexus OWNS Consumer Reports. I think its safe to say that they are the most BIASED auto critics out there. They continue to keep proving it time after time. Real car enthusiasts dont belive CR. If Road & Track or Auto Motor & Sport said it it would be different

Bulldogz

I never said anything about JD Power & Assoc. SO I dont know what ur talking about.

EL34's quote, "Why go anywhere else other than AutoSpies to get the best news on cars?"

Although I like AutoSpies website, but almost 90% of its posts are links to other websites.

I can understand why Lexius owners would have trouble operating the controls in the S-Class, it's because they're not very educated.

I could go on, but I'll leave it at that.

Controls on the S-Class are MUCH easier to use and dont looks as UGLY or CLUTTERED as the 1990's styled million button Lexus LS. Lexus will soon copy this new trend.

What? Sorry houstoncutie, but you're sentence construction needs to become a little more user-friendly.

i don't understand all the confusion over controls in the mercedes. once you've used the COMAND system a few times it's pretty intuitive unless you're really stupid.

Enthusiast, Thats what I said but nobody here has actually ever used one so Hey! Let CR spoon feed them this Lexus garbage and eat it right up.

Both of these layouts have advantages and drawbacks. The button-clad LS460 interior is far easier to use and to learn, but the S550's lack thereof makes its interior more elegant and sophisticated. I like the looks of both interiors- but prefer the S on looks, and the LS on usability. Lexus really knows how to make a nav.

I agree with S4, the usability of the car is great. Functionality wise it's a great car. The sophistication and the European luxury is what I look for most so that's why I favor my S not my LS. However my LS is my daily driver.

loony poster aside.....consumer reports its not a trustworthy source for automobiles, i believe more than a few auto fans posting articles here have stated, and proved that several times. there is no way anyway car is PERFECT which is what recieving every point on a test saids. second, with as many tests have placed the ls, in last place, even behind the xj, and the reviews that show its far from perfect, i think the ls, beating the S550 in this test goes to show what that the posters on autospies, are correct about the poor/bias/inaccurate reviews of CR

Additional points from the press release:

1. The Infiniti M35 retained its spot as the class leader in Consumer Reports' tests of six luxury sedans for the November issue.

2. The diesel-powered E320 delivered excellent fuel economy, 29 mpg overall in CR's own fuel economy tests-comparable to that of a small sedan such as the Toyota Corolla.

3. The 2008 freshening of the BMW 5 Series is a mixed blessing. CR's engineers and editors really liked the new twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, the agile handling, compliant ride and the interior craftsmanship. But the car's overcomplicated controls made it frustrating to live with.

4.CR's staff found the GS 450h Hybrid disappointing in its price range. The Hybrid is intended to be a powerful sport/luxury sedan that couples a hybrid electric motor with a V6 engine to provide quick acceleration. But the GS doesn't live up to its "sport" or "luxury" billing.

5.The redesigned S80 is slightly improved in ride and quietness compared with the previous model, but it lost rear-seat room and access. It has some innovative safety systems, such as side blind-spot and forward-collision warning systems. But overall, the Volvo doesn't offer the levels of performance or luxury that are expected in this price range

i see an E320 to GSh comparison in the future. one actually lives up to it's promises.

so they love the E320 bluetec and find the GS450h a disappointment...

there is a demo of the new Command II stem out there on the net so u can see just how easy it is to use. Anyone have the link? Ive used it before but it was back in 06 when the model first came out. I also tried it on the actual car and it was the same. I flew past those menus after the online demo. Its very easy to learn

I must say that the Mercedes S550 is far better than the Lexus LS460. Lexus chooses to be "boring" and use buttons for everything as for Mercedes, BMW, or even Audi who dare to use other forms of communication (Ex. Mercedes' COMMAND, BMW's i-Dive, & Audi's MMI). Anyone who can afford the Benz doesn't care about gas or fuel economy and plus it a Mercedes. The name alone allows Mercedes to charge a $10k premium just because of their name and status quo. Definityely the Benz over the Lexus. Any day!

so all these command systems, and audis multi interface is all a rip off the bmw i drive. i think lexus will never succumb to that because then you german fanboys would say that lexus coppied yet another thing from the germans.

it's even more of a premium than that...

you can get into an LS starting at $61,000...while the entry point into the S-class is $87,000.

so $26,000 premium actually.

"so all these command systems, and audis multi interface is all a rip off the bmw i drive."

It would've been hard for Audi to copy BMW's iDrive less than a year after the 7 Series was introduced (A8's MMI came out in 2003).

I would have more faith in CR's opinion for buying a washing machine, but never an auto.

In the age of PDA's,iPods, and iPhones -The constant complaints about COMMAND,i-drive,etc as a basis for downgrading autos amazes me...they are not difficult at all and I find them very intuitive.

S550 is the choice, no comparison.

I agree, how old are the testers for CR, if they can't figure out how to use COMMAND, I-Drive or MMI then typing up this article on their computers must of been a nightmare for them.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has perfect Feng Shui.

Um no. Unlike the Japanese, the Germans dont need that crap for inspiration. Were designing cars/machines here not decorating a bedroom.

Feng Shui is all about harmony with how a room or automobile works and the S-Class has it, by God!

Having test drove both -

I found the S-Class' looks very disconcerting, with its Ford Focus inspired fenders, and rather ordinary headlight design, though the handling was impressive for its size, the entire experience was ruined by 'iffy' ergonomics/electronics overload and looks.

I tested the LS because, for the 1st time ever, I believe that Lexus has designed an absolutely gorgeous, beautifully detailed exterior. The real surprise was just how perfectly executed everything was... interior/ergonomics/dynamics... Everything.

If I were still in the market for a large luxury sedan, the LS would win hands down.

You dislike almost every design that has been coming out lately, and yet you find the LS's design "gorgeous?" I really, really like how the LS460 looks, but it doesn't give me the same impression of grandeur as the S550.

^ Funny, I don't recall requesting that you share my opinion(s) on automotive aesthetics.

Visual appeal can be highly subjective, and I simply like what I like and leave it at that. I suggest you follow suit, not calling into question what others find appealing... or not.

Cool?

Ummm...did anybody notice this?

"The Mercedes scored points for its better ride comfort"

So the M-B handles, rides and accelerates better than the LS?
Fuel economy...meh. Not too concerned.

As a non-emotional, practical purchase, the LS probably would win, but I think that is largely due to the price difference between the 2 cars. The S class is a lot more expensive than the LS, but you do get to have the M-B badge...
I'd choose the S class, but that's me, and I'm sure plenty of people would choose the LS. The S class offers more of what I want, and I like the S class's style, design and interior more, and of course, it is only a Lexus, and where I live, that's not a very good thing, and M-B out classes it.

I have a client who is considering both models and actually choosed the S-class due to the ego and status and presence of the cars. On the road, their is no comparison between the 2 cars. The Mercedes S-class has that elegant and prestigious look to it. The Lexus just blends in. If I am spending 100k for a car, then I want a car that resembles my lifestyle and the people and places I go to. I am not looking for a mid-pack car. I want a look at my car type vehicle. Shallow as it is, it is real. My client stated he " wants a car so that when he pulls up into his country club, his friends say ' nice car '. His friend drive aston martins, Rolls, Bentley and so forth. The Mercedes S550 offers that appeal of luxury and style."

Mercedes is very ego and status driven. No one cares about gas mileage, except consumer reports..

Well said.

I find it embarrassing to admit that you bought a car to boost your ego and snob appeal.

Yes Lexus is a serious car with great manners, but i don't care, when a S550 pulls along side especially with big custom rims and shinning bumber to bumber that is a machine of status, looks, wealth it is one nice package, even if you have to visit your MBZ dealer a few times more, who doesn't love walking the showroom and seeing all those fine cars?

I hate the LS460's rims. They are the absolute worst part of the design- they ruin it. Terrible. On the S-Class you can at least get optional rims if you don't like the standard ones.

20-22 inch rims? what are you a drug dealer? mafioso?

if wheels that size were integral to the design, the original designers would offer them from the factory. they don't. and there's a reason: they're tacky.

20-22 inch rims...on an LS...right.

Now we know where your taste lies, we can ignore you.

No, the LS still has 18s and you can't get 19s.

I don't think you'd ever admit to liking a Mercedes more than a Lexus, so I can't take you seriously.

The LS460 is a superb vehicle for the price. But if I was spending $100,000 I wouldn't cheap out. S-Class all the way.

"Cheap out?"

Nice LS600hL dig. Too bad 196 of them were sold last month.

I'm not bashing the hybrid- just the normal 460. If I was shopping for me, I'd pick the S550 over the LS460, and even over the LS600hL. If it was my wife's car, it would probably be the LS460. She wouldn't do well with a car as big as the LWB S-Class.

"mercedes was my favority car, until mid 1990's when they started making crap, and Lexus became #1"

OK, but now they're not making crap any more, so you can like them again. The S is once again on top.

mmmmmm brownies...

Cadillacs make better cruisers. Ever heard of the DTS? Now theres a great couch on wheels.

nicad:

"my brother has a 2002 S420 V8 twin turbo diesel."

in 2002, it was called an S430. and it had a naturally aspirated V8. did your brother have a car made just for him?

"but man, not on a full size luxo cruiser. and don't compare cadillac to Lexus. if you do you've never driven Lexus.

LS is sporty in sport mode and has power, but at the same time it has that luxury feel/handling that old S classes (like the one in 1980's, best S class ever) had. Mercedes has lost it by trying to be more like BMW."

You don't seem to comprehend something: THE S-CLASS IS MORE LUXURIOUS/COMFORTABLE AND IT HAS BETTER HANDLING. Damn, I wish there was a way to put italicize or underline words on here.

Take the "put" out. Strange.

nicad:

you 'hate' the S-class despite the fact that it's a great car. since you'll never speak objectively please don't bother to comment on it. just talk about your beloved LS.

Face it, if CR rates MB higher than Lexus you'd all be complimenting CR. Hypocrites.

The bottom line is both vehicles are nice. However if i had to choose one I would pick the LS over the S550. Better overall look and resale value after a few years.

That is subjective. I prefer the looks of the S550.

The S-Class also has very good resale- but don't expect to get repaid in full when you buy any car in this class.

BTW, for someone who's buying a full-sizer, resale isn't going to make much of a difference. As the more impressive vehicle overall (it does EVERYTHING better than the competition- except mpg), the S-Class is my pick.

Let's be frank here.

The S-Class has clean crisp fast lines and, the LS460 is simply bulbous & obnoxious!

"The Mercedes had more agile handling, better steering feel, and a slight edge in ride comfort and acceleration. But its score was hurt by its much lower fuel economy (21 mpg in the Lexus vs. 17 mpg in the Mercedes) and complicated controls that can be frustrating to use"

So the Mercedes does EVERYTHING better than the Lexus but according to the CR(the magazine for the retarded car buyer)looses because of fuel economy. I was under the impression that people who buy $70K+ cars are more interested in the quality of the car than saving some money at the pump.

i will still go for S-class... whatever the reason...for me its the heart that beates for it...

Consumer Report sucks Asian cars D^%k$. They are sooo biased it is laughable. I no longer rely on CR. If LS460 beats S550 in other reputal mags then I am a believer.

Funny how that articale was emailed to Yahoo by a CR person. And what he writes about CR at the end of article...lol.

Why are we comparing a Toyota AVALON with a MERCEDES BENZ S-Class???

Isn't it sad :(

Why does this NOT surprise me? the new Lexus LS is way better than bulky S-class for sure. I don't even know why they still compare the twoo? The should compare the Lexus LS to the Bentley or something.

And don't give me the Bentley heritage crap, I'm a big fan of Bentley. Bentley is currently being build by VW and uses a VW engine so end of story.

Just look at Maybach, they announce yesterday that they will get rid of it. Heritage and prestige did NOT safe them.

"Bentley is currently being build by VW and uses a VW engine so end of story."


Let me change that into what a Lexus is...

"Lexus is currently being build by Toyota and uses a Toyota engine so end of story."

Idiot.

"Bentley is currently being build by VW and uses a VW engine so end of story."

Actually, they use Audi engines, and if there was one engine to share with Audi, a twin-turbo W12 is a damn good one.

LS is rubbish.

nicad, in fact, the XJR may be its closest competitor- but the Jag beats it. The XJ is unappreciated. It has better reliability than the LS, is much better to drive, has a way sexier exterior/interior and costs the same when you put options on the LS. So why not? Because it doesn't park itself? LOL.

This thread is pathetic. What's a score anyway? Does it mean anything? No. All it shows is that Americans want a fully loaded luxury car with useless gadgets that most likely will never be used in a lifetime. Big deal. In this class every car is worth the money. It all depends on personal needs and wants and desires.

I find it funny how the S-Class did well in all categories except fuel economy. I own an S550 and if driven "normally" (which means looking ahead and adjusting to road conditions), I can easily get almost 20 mpg tops out of this car. I've achieved this before. Notice I said "normal driving". For all we know the people who report their fuel economy figures are flogging it and then complain about poor fuel economy, just like they did with the Hummer.

I also don't know what they're talking about in regards to confusing controls. The S-Class cockpit is simple and the systems are easy to use, at least for me. Wasn't the LS slammed in a few reviews for a "too busy interior, poor ergonomics and confusing controls"?

Predicted reliability? Since I got my S550 almost two years ago, I've had no major problems with it. In fact I've had no problems with it except for that time when my left rear light malfunctioned. I personally know three other S-Class owners, one of them an S600 driver and they're more than happy with their cars. Reliability wise this car seems to be top.

It always sounds to me like CR is still kissing Toyota's ass.

The S550 and LS460 have identical amounts of technology- the LS swaps its eight-speed transmission and self-park for the S550's night-vision assist and self-contouring seats.

And in case you didn't read Bill's post, he once again validated the rumor that the S550 is very reliable.

Gas mileage? I just wouldn't care about that when buying a car this size. And don't kid yourself- the LS460 isn't economical, either.

As for handling... you are retarded. If you think "handling like a go-kart" is a bad thing about a car this size, then think again. While it CAN'T handle like a go-kart, it has the best ride/handling balance in this class.

I think Lexus has American customers more "in mind" when they design and build their cars compared to Mercedes.

Yes, I realise.

I Wasn't saying its a bad thing not to focus on American customers, I just think that is why Lexus is so popular in the states and why cars like the LS would come out tops in surveys like this one.

It works the other way around too, that's why Lexus doesn't really sell anywhere else in the world.

Number 1 selling imported luxury brand in China, Russia, South Korea to name a few.

"the LS 460 accelerates 0-60 in 5.4 sec. that's faster then a V12 BMW 760. plenty fast for me. i wouldn't even want a full size Luxo sedan faster then that. i'd just get a true sports car as my sunday car."

Okay, but it's no faster than the S550. That was a low blow- the 760Li is the slowest twelve-cylinder vehicle on the market. The LS600hL is even slower, and it's meant to have the performance of a V12.

It's like trying to talk to a lamppost. You just don't have any sense of comprehension. You are completely ridiculous.

Were it a choice between the two, I would pick the S class. Not that I find it perfect. Last I looked at the Mercedes dealership, I couldn't find a single one with an interior color that I found appropriate. I am also not such a fan of the fender bulges.

As far as the LS all I have to say is "no leather dash: no sale." I wouldn't even consider it.

Wow, I was deboosted. What a surprise.

...and one more thing. These are not ultra-luxury vehicles.

"I already hear grumblings from the BMW sheep that their new mini-van will have that legendary BMW handling, which means every BMW handles like a minivan"

Hilarious! Good one huu76.

Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds. Here are the results of the 5 Top Luxury Cars in this test which was reported in the January Issue of Car and Driver. Please note these tests were all done on the same day at about the same time and at the same altitude. The results reflect the average of 3 runs and all cars are the 2007 vintage.

Mercedes S550 5.6, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.1 (Benz show 5.4 in their specs)
BMW 750iL 5.7, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.2
Jag XJ Super 6.0 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.5
Lexus LS460L 6.2 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.6
Audi A8 6.8 0 - 60 quarter mile 15.2

Note that Lexus, as usual, is more than the 5.4 the manufacturer CLAIMS to get by .8 seconds.

Also note the LS430 (prior model the LS460 replaced) was rated at 295 HP and was actually 278 when Lexus corrected their rating. And there were no refunds or apologies from the so-called "quality" car company. ABC - Always Be Careful what you buy from the (REPREHENSIBLE) Toyota/Lexus people.....

My take, if you can afford the S550 get it. If not, the LS460 is the best alternative.

the ls460 is a better vehicle REGARDLESS of price.

but you MUST have "tradition" even if the current edition has most UNtraditional (even weird to some folks' eyes) styling, get it.

to each his own.

IF you must...

note too, that both (or ALL in the test) mbs were in the end NOT RECOMMENDED!

it's not only fuel mileage that factors in on CR recommendations. but reliability records. they DO NOT have to be outstanding as all toyotas and lexi are. they merely have to be at least AVERAGE.

and mb falls short of even this LOW bar!

It's more important from 60 to 0 than 0 to 60.

The Lexus is intuitive and the Comad is somewhere between an abortion and an engineering nightmare.

The world is going to touch screen gps Ipad iPOD Iphone I this I that and MB stays stuck on stupid with its unintuitive clumsy comad.

Both cars have the same gov't safety ratings - both are great.

MB reliability is anything but. I've had 4 MB to attest to that, and a whole slew of CR reports spanning over a decade attest to that as well.

MB is a joy to drive and a beauty to look at, but reliable and intuitive it is not.

And no body in his/her right mind buys either vehicle for its gas mileage (get a Prius of volt) or a sedan for its 0-60 speed (get a Real Sports Car not a sedan.