W205C43PFL

Let's face it, an S-Class is an S-Class, enough said.
Although not the same league as a G-wagen being a G-wagen with basically no competitors, it is pretty darn close I would say.

SW20S

Honestly? My S Class is not that much better than my Lexus LS sedans. Its a little better, but if Lexus hadn't gone so different with the LS500, I could happily go back to Lexus. The A8 and 7 Series absolutely are peers to the S Class, the A8 rides and drives really nice, I have not driven the new 7, and I agree the styling is certainly polarizing, but the interior blows the W223's away, quite frankly. Genesis G90 is a great product, but you lose the prestige and the dealer/ownership experience.

I would say my 2017 LS460L was 95% as great a car as my S560. Nicer in some ways (better paint, better fit and finish), while the MB excels in technology and chassis sophistication and drivetrain refinement. Ride, I would say the LS460L rode slightly better in town, the S560 rides better on the highway. LS460 slightly more isolated from wind noise at speed, S560 better isolated from road noise. $34,000 price difference? Not worth it. $300 a month more in the lease payment? Worth that.

I would get another S Class, but I don't at all feel like the S Class is the only option for me having had one.

Streamliner

The powers that be control the sandbox. We either play nice in the sandbox or we get a timeout.

190Efan

I agree that EVs weren't the issue that was originally being raised. However, I do think the forum needs to be a place for factually accurate information so I felt compelled to respond to the factually inaccurate claims being made by some in this thread who have no engineering expertise regarding electric vehicles since they were the ones who raised the issue first. My factual responses were met with nasty personal attacks which I found very disappointing. Looks like the thread is now back on track.

crabman

hyperion667

Yes!!
We're ALL glad you and your engineer father straightened us all out

Wolfman

I on the other hand never considered getting a Lexus In my book the S-Class has always been a better car, so why settle for less.
Not trying to be facetious but I have never cared for the interior or exterior designs and certainly not the way the cars ride. That is from the LS400 to today. I appreciated the innovations 30 some years ago and how they reverse engineered and improved on the competition for less money. Clearly a winning formula for them but feel they also stopped innovating decades ago, perhaps for the sake of reliability. It certainly woke up Mercedes and improved the competition and pricing of cars from that point on.

Frenetic

My father-in-law is a Lexus geek and will probably drive his 2018 LS until it dies, but I just don’t think they are in the sane ballpark. I’ve driven in both and while Lexus does insulate well, their engines and technology leave a lot to be desired. Lexus needs to resurrect the Supra straight six and build a V8 TT worthy of a flagship.

W205C43PFL

Is it just me or Lexus is now catered to the younger generation? Well, I know MB too but Lexus is doing it more?

Drone_S213

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-H7YULkiLIA

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BenjaminKohl

I would disagree, I think Lexus is catering mostly to the older crowd who want something that hasn’t changed much, someone who doesn’t necessarily cross shop with other brands but just gets what they know and is tried and true. MB and BMW are definitely trying to attract younger buyers with their gimmicks and innovations.

W205C43PFL

I see, I don't know but I seen younger people driving (teens at least in my area) Lexus now that is why I asked that question. I wonder if it is because they want a reliable "luxury" car?

S_W222

I agree if the baseline for this assessment is based on the current and last few generations. However, for the LS and S-class generations that were around 2002 or so, I owned the 2002 Lexus LS430 and 2004 S550 "W220" at the same time... honestly the LS430 ride was way superior to the S550, more quite and the drive was much smoother. Admittedly, that may not be fare because the LS430 is arguable the best Lexus sedan they've ever made, and likely the Mbenz W220 generation is the worst S-class ever... but just saying there was a time when the LS was superior to the S-class in many aspects. Nowadays? S-class wins hands down for sure.

W205C43PFL

Yup in the past, they really gave MB a run for their money.

Frenetic

The only attribute of Lexus that is catering to younger people is the design imo, because the technology and engines are outdated and sad lol. Well, I’m assuming younger people like their designs and weird grilles.

hyperion667

Hahaha! There's no accounting for the taste of the younger crowd

W205C43PFL

I guess designs are subjective but just maybe they do.

Frenetic

Designs are completely subjective, and I’m sure they had the younger crowd in mind with their edgy designs, but they are failing the tech department, which is also a big seller with the younger crowd. I think engines primarily appeal to the upper crust of the luxury market (i.e., older), which is looking squarely at the LS.

MBS63AMG

That was definitely true at that time.

W205C43PFL

Yes and that is why it is a head scratcher on what Lexus is trying to do or achieve, like you said, the exterior might attract younger buyers but the interior might repel them. The exterior might repel older buyers but the interior might attract them.

Wolfman

If memory serves, the LS430 was a somewhat belated copy of the W140 S-Class which was the better car (to me).

Interestingly, the W220 was financially a huge success despite its many shortcomings; we had one on order before their release but cancelled it once we saw it and how much plastic was in the car.

We switched and ordered a CL500, a beautiful coupe with one of the best interiors at the time. Eventually we did get a Designo S500 which felt like an S-class but it was certainly not a trouble-free car.

Frenetic

It makes perfect sense: Lexus gave up. They are a slightly more expensive Acura now.

W205C43PFL

imo acura isn't making good (features or looks) cars either.

MBS63AMG

Last I checked, Acura doesn't even have a "Legend" style flagship any longer. That being said, I saw a gorgeous, all blacked-out TLX a couple of days ago that really grabbed my attention. It's the only Acura I would want if I were in the market for a sporty sedan of that price range. Don't know much about the engine though.

Frenetic

Yeah, Lexus has more in common with Acura than say Mercedes or Porsche these days. They’ve moved down market. They gave up on any halo V8 and the LS is a shell of its former self. It wouldn’t surprise me if the LS is permanently cancelled. They are fast becoming a commoditized SUV maker without any halo. There’s nothing wrong with that, but that just makes Lexus an up-badged Toyota versus a true luxury maker, just like Acura.

I think some of the Acuras look really good as well. I think the new TLX and MDX look a lot better than the Lexus equivalent.