The first-generation Lexus LS that was launched in the late-80s was the car that catapulted Lexus onto the world stage. Immediately the UK market saw that here was an alternative to the German domination of the luxury car market.
Focusing on technology rather than driving dynamics like BMW, or top notch interior quality like Audi, the original LS was a futuristic yet supremely comfortable large saloon. Now it's onto its fourth iteration, a good looking luxury car that has a good deal of Lexus' reputation wrapped up in its success or otherwise.
It is a handsome car, if slightly dull in execution. It carries a number of Lexus design cues, but has a distinctly conservative feel about it, like a solid pinstripe suit. There's still a slight feeling that it's copying some European notion of luxury rather than truly understanding it or reinterpreting it from an oriental point of view. The slightly louche wooden trim in the cabin is the prime example of this.
The rest of the cabin, however, is a masterclass in comfort. The seats are soft and luxurious and there is plenty of space for everyone inside. The entire car has been engineered around luxurious comfort and it shows - the interior is almost devoid of noise at speed, feeling hushed and quiet. Everything else benefits from this - the Mark Levinson stereo, for instance, is superb.
The air suspension smothers any imperfections in the road surface and the adaptive dampers never succumb to any temptation to try and make things feel sporty as so many attempt. The car itself is grippy, but the driver doesn't have the same connection with the road as in a rival car. Buyers seeking comfort will be happy, though.
The only engine available with the LS, as with the GS, is a hybrid. This is time, though, that engine is a 5.0-litre petrol V8. It makes for a relaxed urgency about the car, able to call up power reserves when it needs to. The LS can theoretically run on the batteries alone, but with this much heft to lug about that's only going to happen at a crawl.
The LS is an excellent car - the only real problem with it is a lack of heritage compared with rivals - there's no blue blood here and it still feels a little nouveau riche. A shame, because the establishment could learn a thing or two from it.