Topic: Comparison Test: Luxury Flagships

[wing]

Did the lexus beep at you?

[Northernridge]

Nice bit above Jacob. Was this approach an option on your Long review poll from the other day?

[Railton]

A quintet of quintessential luxury over an urban route of highway, side streets and stop-and-go hell. Which machine reigns supreme?

Read More...

Does readership demographics play any part in the cars you review?
Don’t bother answering that.
Railton

[johngenx]

Did the lexus beep at you?

lol

The Highlander beeps like mad whenever I try to get it sideways.  "No, no, no, no, you're NOT driving a Subaru!"

[rrocket]

It worth noting the Lexus has 386 bhp at 6400 rpm and 367 lb-ft of torque for the RWD models compared to the AWD model you had with 360-hp, 347 lb-ft

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I can't tell from the pictures, does the Jag still use a different colour for the c pillars? Looks good in black anyway.

I think I'd still go with the Lexus, if for no other reason than piece of mind. The S- class certainly looks to be a moon-shot kind of car though. I'm still a bit bitter about Jag's current styling, but it's not a deal breaker really. Not interested in Range Rovers. The Porsche is an interesting vehicle. I get the impression that they're a bit star crossed as far as electrical issues.

Very good write up guys. Well done! 

[Northernridge]

Price is at play here to an extent. If Lexus baked in another $15-20 grand of goodness into the LS, I think it would make a difference in the luxury/specialness department. The as tested price between the LS and S550 is some $45k.

[rrocket]

Price is at play here to an extent. If Lexus baked in another $15-20 grand of goodness into the LS, I think it would make a difference in the luxury/specialness department. The as tested price between the LS and S550 is some $45k.

But how much "stuff" do you need?  I've driven the F-Sport and it had most of what I would need.  Yes, you can have options...but I want options that I'd actually use.

I also drove an older "Ultimate" that had a fridge in it!   

I think the LS600h is pretty special/unique if you have the cheddar...

[Northernridge]

Price is at play here to an extent. If Lexus baked in another $15-20 grand of goodness into the LS, I think it would make a difference in the luxury/specialness department. The as tested price between the LS and S550 is some $45k.

But how much "stuff" do you need?  I've driven the F-Sport and it had most of what I would need.  Yes, you can have options...but I want options that I'd actually use.

I also drove an older "Ultimate" that had a fridge in it!   

I think the LS600h is pretty special/unique if you have the cheddar...

I don't mean features at all and especially don't mean technology. I mean textures, materials, design, colours, finishes, solidity, presence...luxury stuff that Mercedes is at its best at with the S Class. Think of it this way...if the Lexus team could add $45k to the LS and how much more special it could be.

[rrocket]

^^Got it.  But that sorta goes against Lexus' mission.  They offer quality, reliable luxury for less.  Not sure they want to make it a habit of selling uber-expensive cars.

I hear the LS-F Sport is coming.  Have already seen the GS-F sport protos....

[bombastic]

Price is at play here to an extent. If Lexus baked in another $15-20 grand of goodness into the LS, I think it would make a difference in the luxury/specialness department. The as tested price between the LS and S550 is some $45k.

But how much "stuff" do you need?  I've driven the F-Sport and it had most of what I would need.  Yes, you can have options...but I want options that I'd actually use.

I also drove an older "Ultimate" that had a fridge in it!   

I think the LS600h is pretty special/unique if you have the cheddar...

I don't mean features at all and especially don't mean technology. I mean textures, materials, design, colours, finishes, solidity, presence...luxury stuff that Mercedes is at its best at with the S Class. Think of it this way...if the Lexus team could add $45k to the LS and how much more special it could be.

Not sure that MB spent 45$k more money to produce S class than Lexus LS. MB charges more because they can. So the suggestion is not really true.
From my prospective I would easily go with Jag on the look alone.

[bombastic]

A very nice review. The rating is right on spot. Range Rover is a bit off league as being the only SUV in the comparo. But it is a true beast. Hard to argue with that.

[ar_ken]

Slight error on the spec sheet, it lists the S Class as FWD.... Unless you mean four wheel drive which it arguably has... But wait... It's really AWD... 

[ALin]

Slight error on the spec sheet, it lists the S Class as FWD.... Unless you mean four wheel drive which it arguably has... But wait... It's really AWD... 

This has been corrected. The person responsible has been sent to their room without dinner or dessert.

[Snowman]

Wow....can't believe the Lexus did that poorly....but it seems that when it comes down to executive transport MB has it down to a science.

Lexus is science, cold and rather sterile, Mercedes-Benz is ART.

Exactly!  The Japanese can't do art.

[Scaerio]

Wow....can't believe the Lexus did that poorly....but it seems that when it comes down to executive transport MB has it down to a science.

Lexus is science, cold and rather sterile, Mercedes-Benz is ART.

Exactly!  The Japanese can't do art.

They can't?  Somehow I got the sense that these got your heart racing...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

They can do art:



But what constitutes art is quite different depending on whether you're from the Far East or West.

[Scaerio]

They can do art:



But what constitutes art is quite different depending on whether you're from the Far East or West.

 

[Snowman]

Wow....can't believe the Lexus did that poorly....but it seems that when it comes down to executive transport MB has it down to a science.

Lexus is science, cold and rather sterile, Mercedes-Benz is ART.

Exactly!  The Japanese can't do art.

They can't?  Somehow I got the sense that these got your heart racing...

I lust for NSX and think its one of the best cars in the world.....but the interior reminds me of a Civic. IMO the Japanese lose artistic impression points in the pursuit of perfection  .

[SaskSpecV]

I lust for NSX and think its one of the best cars in the world.....but the interior reminds me of a Civic. IMO the Japanese lose artistic impression points in the pursuit of perfection  .

Pff...c'mon Snowy, "artistic impression points"?  What is this, a figure skating forum?   You're sounding like the Russian judge!