Open the door, though, and you're treated to a view like no other in the Lexus lineup, or anywhere else for that matter. Torque is rated at 367 pound feet and the motor is connected to an eight-speed transmission. This car had 15,000 miles on it when purchased and had feathered tires when I bought it. The was also one of the first full-size luxury sedans to go head-on against rivals from Europe. But, hey, when duty calls, we give till it hurts. The things we have to do for good reviews.
And, in truth, there were a couple other tasks it performed more effectively. The interior is also an issue. Engineers have managed to reduce the size and weight of the battery pack, which gives 2010 editions more trunk space than the car has offered in prior years. The front seatback topples until it's out of the driver's line of sight. There is a very airy feel above the beltline and the overall cabin is very open, not a wraparound like the. Just like Lexus undercut Mercedes 20 years ago.
An Executive package is also available and comes with a fixed center console with a cool box, rear-seat entertainment system, a massaging ottoman seat on the passenger side, and a swiveling tray table. Its V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission -- the first ever in a passenger car. It is less sporty and more comfort-oriented than those German rivals, but Lexus' flagship is a Best Buy choice for its power, refinement, standard features, and optional gadgets. Power for this beast came from a 4. The car also featured an improved interior with dual-zone climate control, reclining rear seats, and a navigation system.
And its interior is simply opulent. Long-wheelbase cars have exceptionally controlled, smooth rides even in the air suspension's stiffest mode. Even the air the passenger breathes is better than what we unwashed masses have to suck down on a daily basis. We generally had a high old time playing aging über-yuppies in our magnificent machine. A little help from a blog fixed my forward-tilting front seat headrests, something that troubles me in all vehicles so it's not a show-stopper. It is still there after new tires and alignment. .
It was almost too harsh on the same pothole-strewn commute, but on twisty backroads or through the canyons, the Sport setting kept this big boulevardier flat and stable. Take the navigation, for instance. If seating space doesn't impress, consider the ottoman-style seating option with built-in massage features. A sportier suspension setup was also offered with larger brakes as part of the Touring package, and an air suspension was available as part of the Ultra Luxury variant. From electric to electrifying, we break it all down in a concise, model-by-model review that begins on the next page. Usually, the drive is five minutes around the block and that short amount of time can make a Chevrolet Impala look good.
Their acceleration to 30, 60, and 100 mph varies by but a tenth. Lexus claims a 0-60 mph time of 5. That said, if you want comfy, well engineered transportation, and you don't care what it looks like, that promises some of the best quality available, Lexus is hard if impossible to beat. Our journey began on Interstate 77, down through the mountain roads of West Virginia, through the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, and finally down the most insane highway of them all, Interstate 95 to a location only 50 miles from Florida. This is the perfect choice for broken local roads during regular commuter duty. The L version gives passengers five extra inches of legroom and more technology than a Brookstone store at the shopping mall. The interior is only offered in a two-tone black-and-saddle configuration with unique matte-finished wood trim.
I always wanted to go back to the super smooth ride of a big car. Well, Lexus was different right from the start. Shoppers should note that the Mercedes hybrid is more efficient than the Lexus, but less powerful -- the Lexus offers a driving experience much closer to that of a traditional luxury car. Some of the driver based toys include: Lane Keeping Assist, which gives the wheel a slight nudge when you veer outside the lane, Adaptive Cruise Control, which is good but not perfect, and a Hold button that takes the place of the brake pedal at long lights. The Sport package merely brings the handling and driving experience up to the level of base model luxury sedans from Cadillac and the German Big Three.
The front seats are not as supportive as they could be Sport versions have somewhat more bolstering , but a very wide center console makes the area feel unexpectedly narrow. The Equus Ultimate's right-rear seat is a clone of the Lexus's, complete with three vibration modes that vaguely hum the ditty from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, a movie riders can simultaneously view on an eight-inch screen. Selected songs on an iPod with many different options to choose from can be a daunting task. Its cabin technologies also raise the bar, including what may be the best sound system available in a car, period. It's not just a pretty face, either. However, it steers well and corners surprisingly flat, thanks to the three modes-Comfort, Power, and Sport-that afford different ranges of response for the throttle, steering, and suspension. There are plenty of big cars out there but not with this ride.