The newest Lexus IS sport sedan punches an eight-cylinder peg through a six-cylinder hole with predictably polarizing results. Essentially an IS350 F Sport with a 472-hp naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8, the IS500 F Sport Performance is a throwback to when turbocharged engines didn’t yet dominate the premium sport sedan space. The powerful Lexus carves its own path in a niche shared with the Audi S4, BMW M340i, and Mercedes-AMG C43, but we’ll get right to it: The Lexus doesn’t shift the conversation in a significant way. This one’s for dedicated Lexus performance fans.
If this 2021 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series was a gambling man, he’d say always bet on black. That’s because Lexus has well-and-truly doubled-down on black for this limited-production LC 500. Aside from a bit of interior and exterior trim, black is pretty much the order of the day for this new offering and yes, it’s the only color offered. It’s not just an LC with an abundance of black paint, however. Mostly, anyway.
Lexus and Acura bring out the big guns in their battle for mid-range supremacy.
Let’s be honest: The Germans still dominate the compact luxury segment. Those companies have been building sporty sedans for decades and doing it very well. But there’s enough room in that class for brands like Lexus and Acura to emerge as very enticing alternatives, and the pair has proven that over the years with their two most-notable offerings, the IS and the TLX.
So you want to try your hand at a little overlanding but don’t necessarily want to have to go through all the trouble of building your own rig? Your best bet is to buy one that’s all good to go, you know, the ones with all the goodies thrown in that you probably have no idea what to do with anyway. Plus you want something that’ll separate you from the usual Jeeps, Land Rovers, and Toyotas. That’s where this specific Lexus LX470 comes in. No, it may not be the newest kid on the block, but this 15-year-old still has what it takes to run with the best of them.
The Lexus ES has been on the scene for 30 years but is still as youthful as ever for 2020, especially the F Sport configuration. On the one hand, the Lexus ES 350 F Sport is sleek and athletic; on the other, comfortable and quiet.
Lexus faces stiff competition from players like Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and others. However, we believe the 2020 ES 350 F Sport can hold its own in the battle royale of luxury cars.
The 2020 Lexus LX 570 is pretty much by the book when it comes to large luxury SUVs. It has a powerful engine, a quiet interior, and terrible gas mileage. We like the three-row variant as it can accommodate a larger family, but a two-row LX 570 is also an option.
There’s no denying that the Lexus LC stands out in a crowd. For the 2021 model year, Lexus hopes to make its suave coupe stand out just a bit more with new color options, wheel options, and perhaps a slight uptick in performance. We say slight because power remains the same, but there’s a bit less weight for those ponies – either in standard or hybrid trim – to manage.
Admittedly, the weight loss is minor. The automaker tells us approximately 22 pounds was cut from the LC, accomplished primarily through suspension changes. New lower control arms are aluminum, with new hollow-design suspension stabilizers incorporating a revised diameter. Coil springs are made of a new material as well. The 21-inch wheels are also a bit lighter, though curiously, Lexus says that only applies to the rear wheels.
The Lexus RC F isn’t perfect. A laggy transmission, tons of understeer, and a curb weight that rivals some full-size sedans make it not as alluring in a class that includes very good alternatives like the BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe, and Audi RS5. But, look at the silver lining: the RC F is one of the only remaining options with a V8, where many of its rivals have turned to turbocharged six-cylinders. It’s absurdly comfortable, too, with one of the nicest interiors you’ll find anywhere. And for 2020, in an effort to address some of those issues, Lexus went all-out and created an RC F designed exclusively for the track… or so it wants us to think.
The 2020 Lexus LS 500 makes a strong case for driving enthusiasts who also want to cruise along in comfort. We did feel a little younger behind the wheel, but our lower backs appreciated all the different power adjustments and massage functions of the seats. Even though we will probably never get used to the touchpad interface Lexus uses, it’s still hard to argue with the LS 500.
The 2020 Lexus LS 500 is a real head-turner and we snapped a few necks this week as we drove the luxury model around the streets of Denver. Inside, the LS 500 stretches the limits of the luxury with beautiful wood inlays, cut glass insets, and woven fabric on the door panels.
Welcome back to Fabulous Auto Club, and this post is the largest comparison (and also longest title) in our blog to date! We’re comparing ten different compact luxury sedans which are for family comfort with prices ranging from $35000 to $50000 CAD.
Pricing
Mercedes C-Class – $46100
BMW 3 Series – $49000
Audi A4 – $39800
Genesis G70 – $42000
Infiniti Q50 – $43995
Jaguar XE – $49900
Volvo S60 – $42400
Lexus ES – $45000
Acura TLX – $37490
Alfa Romeo Giulia – $49345
Prices are subject to change.
Styling
The C-Class, 3 Series, TLX, XE, and A4 all look somewhat boring, but a new 3 Series is coming for the 2020 model year. The sportiest is the Genesis G70 because of its position and the side vent that makes it feel like a racing car. The Giulia is very similar, just like what you would expect from an Alfa Romeo. The Q50 looks like a baby Q70 and can appear outdated. The best looking car by far here is the Volvo S60 for only $42400! The Lexus ES literally looks sharp because of its edges, not to mention the oversized grill.
Performance
The performance of compact/midsize sedans range from 240 to 500 horsepower, which is a big range due to the fact that you can upgrade to AMG, Quadrifoglio, F Sport, Polestar and many others. I have to note that the A4 only has 188 horsepower, and that’s just another example of an under-powered Audi. Most of them are powered by an inline-4 with the optional V6.
Interior Comfort
To make sure everyone in your family/group of friends has comfort, luxury sedans are equipped with leather seats (heated and cooled), wood trims, and advanced climate control. The C-Class and G70 specifically stand out by looking in the interior. The Jaguar XE has failed to provide optimal interior quality unlike other rivals in this segment.
