Lexus LS 600h L Review

2010 Lexus LS 600h L 4dr Sedan AWD

Just because your work shoes are Prada and your pocket boasts a platinum money clip doesn't mean you have to sit it out as the hybrid parade rolls through town. Lexus has already given affluent buyers choices in this burgeoning segment, via its gas-sipping SUV and ozone-friendly sport sedan. Now hybrid lovers who want ultimate luxury -- the kind that comes with a six-figure price tag -- can grab the keys to the Lexus LS 600h L.

Launched in model year 2008, the LS 600h L is an extended-wheelbase luxury sedan that brings a few compromises, but they're compromises that will already be quite familiar to those who've experienced other upscale Lexus green machines. The most significant concerns fuel efficiency. With a 21 mpg combined EPA fuel economy estimate, the LS 600h L is no Prius -- in fact, it barely beats the mileage offered by the non-hybrid LS. Another has to do with performance. The LS 600h L teams a gasoline V8 with a duo of electric motors to offer power that Lexus claims is comparable to that of a V12. However, that additional power is offset by the added weight of the hybrid components. As such, this Lexus goes from zero to 60 in 6 seconds, actually trailing the V8-equipped LS 460 L by about a tenth of a second in that dash.

In the end, the car's only real advantage over the regular LS is its Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) rating. Is that enough to justify its premium? If you're a greenie with coin for days and a passion for luxury, the answer might be "yes."

Current Lexus LS 600h L

The Lexus LS 600h L is a hybrid version of the long-wheelbase LS 460 L. It comes in two trim levels, base and Pebble Beach. Highlights of the car's standard features list include 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and ignition, a heated steering wheel, leather trim on the seats and instrument panel, a 16-way power driver seat, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system with 450 watts of surround sound, a music server with 2,000-song capacity, climate-controlled front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Pebble Beach edition includes an advanced parking system (that handles the steering as you parallel park), four-zone climate control, power rear sunshades, power rear seats and unique interior and exterior colors.

Options packages are available that offer an advanced parking system, power rear seats, a massage mode that pampers your back and a four-seat "Executive" seating option that features a rear compartment with seating for two that emulates the cabin of a business jet.

Hybrid power is provided courtesy of a 389-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and a duo of electric motors, resulting in a combined total output of 438 hp. Governing the proceedings is a continuously variable transmission with automanual control and modes that cater to a trio of driving conditions: normal, power and snow. Drivers enjoy standard all-wheel drive. With fuel economy of just 20 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, this Lexus offers mileage that's, well, not exactly hybridlike.

Ultimate luxury cars are all about the opulence of their cabins, and this Lexus certainly gets that right. Ergonomics are flawless, and controls are intuitive and within easy reach. Aesthetics are nothing short of dazzling, with handsome electroluminescent gauges, finely finished wood trim, exquisitely stitched leather and superb fit and finish. One drawback, though, is trunk space. The car's hybrid components take up so much room in back that trunk space is only a meager 11.7 cubic feet.

The Lexus LS 600h L can run up to 20 mph using its electric engines alone, which translates into an ultra-quiet ride when the car is driven around town. The emphasis is on a pillow-soft ride, regardless of which of the car's air suspension settings you choose. The LS 600h L's steering is capable enough, but there isn't an abundance of feedback. When it comes to sportiness, the award goes to the Germans, but this Lexus does an unparalleled job of delivering comfort.

Used Lexus LS 600h L Models

The Lexus LS 600h L debuted for the 2008 model year and, apart from offering a Pebble Beach edition for 2009, has changed little since.

SELECT A SPECIFIC LEXUS LS 600H L MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.