2015 Lexus LS 600h L Review
2015 Lexus LS 600h L Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+30
Used LS 600h L for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Spectacularly quiet and luxurious
- outstanding build quality
- fabulously comfortable rear seat with Executive Class package.
Cons
- Insignificant fuel economy advantage over LS 460 despite its much higher price
- small trunk
- Remote Touch interface is distracting to use.
What’s new
The 2015 Lexus LS 600h L's navigation system features new software this year, and there's now a customizable home screen and Slacker Internet radio. Also new for 2015 is Lexus Enform Remote app compatibility, enabling owners to control some functions through their smartphones. Finally, the rearview camera gains dynamic grid lines to assist you when parking this large hybrid sedan.
Edmunds says
Lavish, pricey and powerful, the 2015 Lexus LS 600h L is the ultimate expression of Lexus luxury. If it's a fuel-efficient hybrid luxury sedan you want, however, you'll likely be disappointed.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2015 Lexus LS 600h L 4dr Sedan AWD (5.0L 8cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.02 per gallon for premium unleaded in Minnesota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Minnesota
$242/mo for LS 600h L Base
LS 600h L Base
vs
$203/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Although it's the premier model of the Lexus LS lineup, the 2015 LS 600h L doesn't quite deliver on its promise of greatness. Indeed, this hybrid luxury sedan is the LS with the most power, the most features and the best fuel economy, but the price premium is astronomical and the efficiency gains are minimal.
To put a finer point on it, the 2015 Lexus LS 600h L beats the standard, rear-drive LS 460 L (which is reviewed separately) by only 1 mpg in the EPA's combined fuel economy ratings. Allowing for fluctuating fuel prices and varied driving habits, it would take you decades, even centuries to recoup the higher up-front cost of buying the hybrid LS sedan. Adding insult to injury, the LS 600h L is also slower than the standard LS 460, as its power gains are offset by the extra weight of its battery pack and other hybrid components.
That's not to say that the LS 600h L isn't a wonderful place to spend time, though. The cabin is opulently appointed and meticulously assembled. The leather is supple, the wood trim warm and the balance of the interior materials are of world-class quality. As you'd expect, the LS 600h L is also very well equipped, and buyers can opt for an Executive Class seating package with reclining rear seats, a right-side rear ottoman and a rear DVD entertainment system. Thusly outfitted, the right rear position is more of a throne than a seat. However, you can get all of these features in the LS 460 as well, and if technology features are really what you're after, you'll find that ultraluxury sedans like the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class surpass Lexus in this regard.
Moreover, if you're looking for serious fuel economy in a large luxury sedan, there are a number of better choices. The Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid (a plug-in hybrid), the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and the diesel-powered Audi A8 L TDI all have far superior mpg ratings. The all-electric Tesla Model S is also quite compelling so long as you're willing to deal with the compromises that come with EV ownership. All of these sedans are quite expensive as well, but if you really want to reduce your fuel consumption, they'll take you further toward that goal than the 2015 Lexus LS 600h L.
Performance & mpg
The 2015 Lexus LS 600h L uses a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 389 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque mated to two electric motor/generators. One of the motors acts as a primary generator and engine starter, while the other drives the rear wheels and produces power through regenerative braking. Combined, the entire system has an output of 438 hp. All of this power is routed to an all-wheel-drive system via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that has manual shift capability with eight preset gear ratios.
In Edmunds testing, the LS 600h L reached 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, a slow time for a luxury sedan with this much power on tap. Fuel economy is barely better than that of the regular LS 460, as the EPA rates the hybrid LS at 20 mpg combined (19 city/23 highway).
Safety
Standard safety features on the 2015 Lexus LS 600h L include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, a blind spot monitoring system with cross-traffic alerts, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive headlights, automatic high beams, a rearview camera and Lexus' Safety Connect emergency telematics.
The optional adaptive cruise control system includes a pre-collision system that preps various vehicle systems when it detects a possible collision. Sold as a separate option is the more sophisticated Advanced Pre-Collision system, which includes a driver attention monitor and can automatically initiate braking to help avert forward collisions. This option also includes a lane departure warning and prevention system. The Executive Class package also adds a knee airbag for the rear ottoman.
In Edmunds testing, an LS 600h L stopped from 60 mph in 126 feet, which is a long braking distance for an elite luxury sedan but understandable given that this car weighs over 5,400 pounds (more than many SUVs). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the LS the highest possible rating of "Good" in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset crash test and a "Good" rating for the ability of the driver seat/head restraint to provide whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Driving
Initial propulsion from a stop in the 2015 Lexus LS 600h L is supplied by the electric motors, resulting in eerily silent acceleration. Even when the 5.0-liter V8 engine starts up, it's hard-pressed to grab center stage, as the LS hybrid's meticulously sound-proofed cabin remains blissfully quiet at highway speeds, regardless of the road surface.
The LS 600h L offers four driver-selectable settings for its suspension, varying between Comfort and Sport+. In Comfort mode, the ride is quite soft, while the sportier modes attempt to provide more control when navigating turns. However, this is an exceptionally heavy car, and if you start making big demands, you'll find that the hybrid LS responds with the haste of a cruise ship. The steering, at least, is precise and light on effort, making the car pretty easy to park.
Interior
As the flagship of the Lexus lineup, the LS 600h L offers abundant luxury. The standard semi-aniline leather on the seats is the automaker's best, and the simulated suede headliner looks rich and is soft to the touch. The optional Executive Class package brings even more leather into the cabin, while offering the right rear passenger his own ottoman. Rich, grain-matched wood trim is also plentiful, giving the interior a traditional luxury car feel. Particularly striking is the available black interior treatment with bamboo wood trim.
The Remote Touch electronics interface is a part of the car's technology array. It's a mouselike device that allows the user to navigate among a variety of function icons on a horizontally oriented, 12.3-inch display at the top of the dashboard. However useful Remote Touch is for integrating basic tasks and smartphone applications, it ultimately draws too much attention away from the road. Cursor control with the Remote Touch controller is wobbly and imprecise, making audio and navigation selections difficult when you're on the move. Other companies use different solutions for their technology interface systems, and in particular, we prefer BMW's iDrive. If you're planning to buy an LS 600h L, Remote Touch should be tested out thoroughly at a dealership.
Cargo space is at a premium in the hybrid LS. The separate rear climate control system, onboard refrigerator and hybrid system components drop trunk capacity to a mere 13 cubic feet compared with the standard LS 460's generous 18 cubes.
2015 Lexus LS 600h L models
The 2015 Lexus LS 600h L is a four- or five-passenger full-size hybrid luxury sedan based on the LS 460. Unlike the LS 460, however, it is offered only in one long-wheelbase body style, thus the L at the end of the name, and it comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. Only one very well-appointed trim level is available. Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, air suspension with adjustable shock absorber damping, variable-gear-ratio steering, a sunroof, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams and headlamp washers, LED running lights, LED foglights, heated mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a power trunk lid, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, auto-dimming rearview and exterior mirrors, a blind spot monitoring system with cross-traffic alerts and an automatic parallel parking system.
Inside you'll also get four-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, a 12-way power-adjustable driver seat with four-way lumbar adjustment, a 10-way front passenger seat with two-way lumbar, driver seat memory, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, power-reclining rear seats with massage functions, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt-and-telescoping adjustments, wood trim, power rear sunshades and a rear-seat refrigerator.
Standard electronics features include a navigation system with a 12.3-inch display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Lexus Safety Connect emergency communications, the Lexus Enform suite of smartphone-integrated apps (now with Enform Remote smartphone control for compatible Apple and Android devices) and the Siri Eyes Free interface (which provides additional voice control functionality for iPhones). The standard 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system comes with a six-disc CD changer, HD and satellite radio, USB/iPod integration and rear-seat audio controls.
Optionally you can add the Executive Class package, which reduces seating capacity to four but adds infrared cabin temperature sensors, additional leather interior trim, a rear-seat DVD/Blu-ray entertainment system and a right rear seat with a power ottoman, additional massage functions and a knee airbag. Also available are two adaptive cruise control systems, one paired with a pre-collision system and one that adds a more advanced forward collision avoidance system with a driver attention monitor along with a lane departure warning and prevention system.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2015 Lexus LS 600h L.
5 star(91%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
11 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
High Expectations Fulfilled
Mark, 10/26/2007
2008 Lexus LS 600h L 4dr Sedan AWD (5.0L 8cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
The LS 600 is an impressive vehicle. Although relatively silent to driver, it is quite clear there are any number of mechanical events occurring at a given time in connection with the complexities of the hybrid system. A slight rev when the car is started to charge the battery, complete silence at a stop or below 25 mph, and a symbiotic relationship between battery power,engine power and … regeneration from braking and downhill driving. I am not sure any other car company could have pulled off the engineering in this car in such a tight, well thought out, and yes even emotional machine.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Airplane on the road
Ijebu, 09/09/2008
2008 Lexus LS 600h L 4dr Sedan AWD (5.0L 8cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
This vehicle runs so smooth, you can barely hear the sound at low idle. I seriously feel believe the car glides rather than drives. Excellent design from Lexus. I do a lot of city driving, so this is a perfect vehicle for me and my family.
5 out of 5 stars
Six months of wonderful
gotom, 08/20/2008
2008 Lexus LS 600h L 4dr Sedan AWD (5.0L 8cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I bought to go long distances; the pleasure of such comfort and safety after 8 to 10 hours is truly satisfying. From El Paso to San Antonio at 75 to 80 mph with 28 mpg was another plus (500 miles between fill-ups). After 7000 miles, I am completely satisfied with the car and truly believe that it is a value when compared to any other car with comparable characteristics and performance … capacities.
5 out of 5 stars
The best bargain in a used car ever!
Eric, 01/31/2021
2008 Lexus LS 600h L 4dr Sedan AWD (5.0L 8cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I bought my 2008 LS600HL from a used car dealer in Manassas Virginia in August of 2016. The car was perfect and looked absolutely brand new when I purchased it. It had less than 80,000 miles and was and is whisper quiet. The only things I have paid for in the 4 1/2 years of ownership was oil changes and to fix a strange anomaly with the wheels. My mechanic told me that on this … particular car, the inside of the wheels eventual wear and cause an incredibly slow air leak. The tires have to be removed, the inside of the wheels have to be buffed and the problem is fixed. One at a time, all four wheels needed this treatment and it did solve the problem.
This car has cost me the least in maintenance of any car I have ever owned. My mechanic, who works on some of the most expensive cars in the world, loves this car. Despite being one of the most expensive mass produced car when it was new, I paid less for it than most economies and it has been absolutely terrific. If you are considering purchasing a used one. If you can find it, it'll likely be the best bargain you've ever found.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2015 Lexus LS 600h L, so we've included reviews for other years of the LS 600h L since its last redesign.
2015 LS 600h L Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $120,440 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Hybrid |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $242/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the LS 600h L include:
- Back-up camera
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
Starting at $77,385 |
3.5 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
Starting at $43,340 |
3.7 average Rating out of 11 reviews. |
Starting at $61,600 |
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2015 Lexus LS 600h L info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Chevrolet Cruze 2014 For Sale
- Used Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 2015
- Used Ford GT 2017
- Used BMW ALPINA B7 2017
- Used BMW M4 GTS 2016
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Lexus LS 500H 2012 For Sale
- Used Lexus LS 600H L 2013
- Used Lexus LS 500H 2015
- Used Lexus LS 600H L 2011
- Used Lexus LS 600H L 2010
- Used Lexus LS 600H L 2014 For Sale
- Used Lexus LS 600H L 2016
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 Mazda 3 News
- BMW X4 Car
- 2023 Sonata
- 2024 Audi S5
- Mazda Protege 2023
- 2025 Subaru Crosstrek News
- 2023 Acura TLX
- 2024 Hyundai Sonata
- Audi Audi S3
- 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid News
Research other models of Lexus
- Lexus Ux
- Lexus LC 500H
- Lexus TX
- Lexus Ux 250H
- 2023Lexus RX 350
- Lexus Is Is 300
- Lexus Is 350 F Sport
- Lexus RX
- Lexus LC 500
- Lexus Es 300 H For Sale
Research similar vehicles
- 2023 Hyundai Elantra
- Ioniq 6
- 2023 Accord
- 2023 Ford Mustang
- 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2024
- 2024 Porsche 911
- Rolls Royce Ghost
- Honda Civic 2023
- Audi A62012
Other models
- Used Acura Ilx in Burlington, WI
- Used Ford Transit-Passenger-Van in Harrington, DE
- Used Lexus CT-200H in Watertown, CT
- Used Porsche 968 in Newnan, GA
- Used Volkswagen Cabrio in Alameda, CA
- Used BMW M5 in Fair Oaks, CA
- Used Kia Optima-Plug-In-Hybrid in Daphne, AL
- Used Mazda B-Series-Pickup in Buffalo Grove, IL
- New Toyota Corolla-Cross for Sale in New Philadelphia, OH
- Used Pontiac Montana in Lewiston, ID