2008 Lexus 600h L San Diego CA

October 15, 2009   By Brian Alexander, Content Editor



2008 Lexus LS 600h L
DriverSide Overview
The mission statement for the full-size luxury sedan has essentially remained unchanged for sometime now. Cram a large engine with up to a dozen cylinders under the hood, fill the interior with gadgets, wood and enough leather to offend a militant vegan and, without question, the rich will buy. While those who can afford $100k-plus sedans probably don’t place fuel prices at the top of the column titled ‘financial concerns,’ there are still plenty who demand to be on the cutting edge of modern technology. Hence, the Lexus LS600h L , the world’s first full-size luxury hybrid. That’s a lot of numbers and letters to swallow – the L denotes the car’s extended wheelbase, which increases legroom by 4.8 inches over a standard LS460 – so for the sake of simplicity we’ll refer to the car as the LS600h. And while it might be a hybrid, this is no Toyota Prius. Thanks to the combination of a V-8 engine, high-power electric motor and all-wheel drive, it’s surprisingly rapid. Unfortunately, however, performance has a price – surprisingly mediocre fuel economy. Still, don’t be fooled; with an astonishingly smooth ride and massively spacious interior, this is a car that’s all about one thing – comfort.








What's to Like
The legendary soft, quiet ride of the LS makes for a tranquil in-cabin environment, soaking up big mileages with little effort. The reclining rear seats and abundant legroom will never have you wishing you called shotgun. For a full-size, 5,200 lb hybrid, the LS is surprisingly potent off the line, with plenty of low-down torque.

What's Not to Like
A standard LS 460 is a staggering $40k cheaper, making it extremely difficult to justify purchasing the hybrid model as no amount of fuel savings could recoup the additional cost. Some interior switchgear has a sub-par tactile feel for a car in this price range. Brake pedal placement is somewhat high, leading to sore ankles in stop and go traffic.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Life behind the wheel of the LS 600h has little in common with your standard daily driver. Road noise is nonexistent, bumps and broken road surfaces have no chance of making it through the suspension and are absorbed with ease. The steering is light and responsive, but devoid of feel. These factors combine to isolate you from the outside world, making you feel as if you’re floating down the road on a cloud – exactly what a Lexus should feel like. Yet, for all of it’s luxury bias, the LS 600h L is surprisingly fast, launching from 0-60 in a brisk 5.5 seconds. Luckily, despite the use of a CVT transmission, there is little lag in the throttle response.

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