Top Lexus is the complete car

Sep 1 2008 Peter Hayward

Top Lexus is the complete car

THE extras list is still as long as your arm with Mercedes and BMW's top models but the Lexus LS comes with everything as standard making it far better value.

It is also more reliable than a Mercedes or BMW as it gets older which is a big plus when buying second-hand.

But that does mean it¿s more expensive than the S-Class five years down the line.

Earliest models from the second series LS, sold between 2000 and 2006, are now down to supermini money and, as long as they come with the must have service history, they are still an excellent buy.

The engine is a 4.3 V8 with standard six-speed automatic gearbox offering tremendous performance and amazingly hushed refinement. It drives the rear wheels and the transmission has marvellous, completely seamless changes.

The ride, as you would expect, is wonderfully cosseting, the leather upholstery could have been done by a British master craftsman and the six CD sound system would not be out of place in a medium-sized auditorium.

Interior

The examples I have driven all had tan leather and all come with every which way electrically adjustable front seats.

Later models have rearview camera, superb sat-nav and adaptive cruise control, which keeps the car a safe distance from the one in front.

FAST FACTS

Lexus LS

Price : Pay around £9,400 for an ¿01 Y-reg, £16,400 for an ¿03 53-reg or £21,500 for an ¿05 05-reg.

Mechanical : 278bhp, 4,293cc, 8cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox

Max speed : 155mph

0-62mph : 6.1 secs

Combined mpg : 24

Insurance group : 17

Marks : 10/10

Main rival : Mercedes S-Class