Lexus LS 600h

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Lexus LS 600h overall verdict

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Total greenie-confusion with this five-litre V8 hybrid that has 4x4 and an electric motor. The bearded masses don’t know whether to lick it or set fire to it
Our buying tip

Laugh behind the back of the environment while being nice to its face.

The LS600h is four-wheel drive, has a CVT gearbox and a Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor. Despite all the cool stuff, it handles like a dead badger. Approach a corner at anything like an enthusiastic speed and the LS600h understeers itself straight into the arms of its myriad electronic minders and bongs mournfully at the mistreatment

Comfort

If you sit anywhere in the thing it's better than having Disneyland brought right into your most comfortable sofa moment. There are DVDs and seats that ventilate and massage, ‘ottoman' seating that reclines almost into a flat bed in the rear, multi-zone climate, a self-park function - even the electric drive system allows for silent, perfectly ramped gatherings of speed. It's surreal, astonishing and bloody brilliant.
Performance

Hmm, this is where it gets interesting. It's a hybrid... with a ruddy great 5.0-litre V8. Horsepower tots up to a grand total of 439bhp and 384lb ft of torque, which, allied to an E-CVT gearbox, means a 0-62mph time of 6.3 seconds. A hybrid!
Cool

People keep saying that Lexii are bland. Truth is, they're new and not flawed. The LS600h may be boring to drive, but it's very cool.
Quality

Not built but hewn. Not made but forged. If all cars were built this well, the car business would cease to exist because no-one would ever need a new car.
Handling

The LS600h is four-wheel drive, has a CVT gearbox and a Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor. Despite all the cool stuff, it handles like a dead badger. Approach a corner at anything like an enthusiastic speed and the LS600h understeers itself straight into the arms of its myriad electronic minders and bongs mournfully at the mistreatment.
Practicality

Not quite as practical because some space is taken up by the Synergy Drive. You'll never notice it though.
Running costs

The 600h will manage around 30mpg, emits just 219g/km but is still taxed hard. It also weighs in at insurance group 50 and just isn't going to be a £55 oil service, even with the best will in the world and using pattern parts from a Vauxhall Vectra. Don't expect it to be as kind on your wallet as it is to the pandas.