THE big Lexus LS is the car two of my children chose as their wedding transport, and I can certainly see why.
Right from the earliest models, the LS come with everything as standard – at a time when Mercedes had a huge extras list ‘...so that owners could personalise their cars’.
More like so that Mercedes could make more money.
Later Mercs had to match the Lexus and became much better, but the LS was king of the hill for a while.
Power comes from a fairly thirsty 4.3-litre petrol V8, driving through a standard automatic gearbox.
Performance is superb, that engine is inaudible at almost any speed and gearchanges are so smooth as to be imperceptible.
The ride is cosseting over all surfaces and the roadholding very, very good.
High tech luxury is what the LS is all about and it matches of beats the Mercedes S-class in every possible way apart from depreciation.
It’s also one of the most reliable cars in the world.
Interior
Where do I start! Leather upholstery with air conditioned, electrically adjusted memory seats, wood veneer touches, electric everything else, the best sat nav in the world, huge rear legroom with seat adjustment and parking sensors all round.
Safety is superb, with umpteen airbags plus every electronic driver aid, it has air suspension which firms up automatically at speed, and the sound system would fill the Albert Hall!
FAST FACTS
Lexus LS 430
Price: Pay about £7,400 for an ’02 02-reg, £17,400 for an ’06 06-reg
Mechanical: 278bhp, 4,293cc, 8cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox
Max speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 6.1 seconds
Combined mpg: 23
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 270g/km
BIK rating: 35%
Marks: 10/10
Main rival: Mercedes S-Class