2008 Lexus LS600hL: owner review

It’s fascinating to reflect how the automotive landscape has progressed in the years since the first Prius and Insight concepts were appearing at motor shows. As the industry starts to leave hybrids behind to focus on pure electric technology, Lexus’ LS600hL is, in my mind, still arguably the best hybrid car ever made.

At its launch, Lexus claimed a laundry list of world-beaters: The world’s first hybrid flagship, the world’s first V8 all-wheel drive hybrid, the world’s most technologically advanced vehicle. It was also the world’s most expensive hybrid, setting you back a cool quarter of a million dollars in Australia. It’s backed by a list of awards: 2007 Japan Car of the Year, World Car of the Year, International Car of the Year, Best Engineered Vehicle, and more.

Prior to buying this 2008 example as an 11-year-old used proposition, I had been daily-driving a 2nd gen Prius most of the time for just over a decade, although a string of second cars tickled my inner car nut – everything from an Alfa Romeo GT to a Daihatsu Charade. I must admit, when I was looking for this car, my first desire was to buy a German V12 – either a 2001 BMW 750iL or a later Mercedes-Benz S600. However, having owned a couple of German cars previously, I cross-shopped both against the big Lexus.

The E38 is a much more beautiful thing to look at, both inside and out. Beauty alone was unfortunately not enough to sway me, given the practicalities of owning a 20-year-old BMW and potentially quadrupling my fuel bill compared to the Prius I was stepping out of. The latter S600 is a quicker car, but more prone to failure, more expensive, and to my eye, uglier. The LS won outright. So I found a great example with 121,000km on the clock, flew 2000km to make the deal, and then drove it back home.

On the open road, ticking along at a hair over idle, the car effortlessly eats up the road with masses of power in reserve. It is a supremely confident machine at any legal speed (and plenty above). Unless you’re requesting all the beans, the powertrain is virtually silent. At full bean, a hint of V8 burble makes it into the cabin to let you know the business end is cooking with gas. Road noise is much the same, with the 245/45 R19 Michelin tyres sitting under some of the best air suspension in the business, barely making a sound even on coarse chip.

It’s a combination that still performs brilliantly, even 13 years later. Speaking of NVH, a common failure point on these cars (and there’s not many) is the front window weather seals, which can shrink over time and let some wind noise in. It’s enough to ruin the ambience only because the rest of the cabin is so quiet. Though, at just over $200 installed, it’s a cheap fix. Not so the air struts, which also fail commonly and can cost anywhere from $5000-$20,000 to do, depending on how much you like your dealer service history and how many corners are broken.

With 327kW and somewhere north of 520Nm available at all four wheels, as well as the hybrid advantage of having electric torque available from rest, it’s easy to assert your position on the road when required. However, it must be said that even with all this mechanical advantage, weighing over two tonnes and measuring over 5.2 metres long, this is not a car that will react quickly to hair-trigger inputs.

If your goal is to zip across town quickly in traffic, a moderately powerful hatchback is a much better choice of car. Real world fuel consumption in the Lexus is an easy 8.4L/100km on the highway and around 10.5L/100km about town – practically unbeatable in this segment and at this price, is better than many smaller cars.

That said, around town the big limo still shines bright. Acoustic insulation, including double-layer windows, separates you from the hubbub of the daily grind, making it a serene place to be. Semi-aniline leather covers every touch point, and even today the cabin is devoid of creaks or rattles. Timber veneer grab handles are a nice touch, testament to the attention to detail paid throughout. The climate control uses infrared sensors to measure your body temperature and a particle sensor to 'smell' the air, adjusting accordingly so you’re always perfectly comfortable.

All four seats are fitted with cooling and heating, three out of four are given a memory function, (including seatbelt and steering wheel position) and window blinds round out the package. The back seat is a particularly special affair, gifting passengers with a centre console with a tray table, chill bin, a massaging ottoman recliner and separate climate controls. The Executive Package was a $7000 option so not every example has it. As sublime as it is, it would be nice to be able to carry five passengers every now and then. Then again, that’s what my wife’s car is for!

As standard, the 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system is paired with a six-disc DVD player that allows occupants to enjoy cinema-quality sound while watching movies on the roof-mounted rear screen. Two pairs of wireless headphones also provide more personal entertainment options for the rear. Front passengers can watch DVDs on the in-dash info screen too, but only while parked.

An aftermarket upgrade is available that adds Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, video streaming, and a wi-fi hotspot. Truly contemporary entertainment, then. What is less contemporary is the driver assistance technology. While the car has radar cruise down to 40km/h, pre-collision alert, swivelling LED headlights, and can even park itself, it misses out on blind-spot monitoring, lane guidance, driver fatigue monitoring, and autonomous emergency braking.

In terms of ownership costs, if you go through Lexus dealers they are substantial – think servicing around the $800 mark, and repairs that can go into the tens of thousands. However, under all the bling it is a fancy Toyota, and if you’re happy to source parts yourself and have a good mechanic, costs can be managed quite well.

Overall then, the big Lexus is a remarkable all-round package: power, luxury and technology at a very reasonable cost of ownership. It certainly isn’t the most practical motoring out there, and while it probably has the lowest running costs of any car in this segment, cheap motoring it certainly isn’t. But, for those looking for a luxury experience without the headache, buying into an older technological tour-de-force like the LS600hL could be just the ticket.

Owner: Peter Tawadros

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