The 2019 Lexus LS 500

The Lexus LS 500's sculpted rear is more conventional than the sedan's radical, spindle-grille front. Signature Lexus touches include corner taillight "drips" and floating chrome exhaust tips.

The rear-wheel-drive-based GA-L chassis architecture gives the 2018 Lexus LS nimble handling for a 5,000-pound land yacht. Lower than the previous generation by 0.6-inches, the LS features a coupe-like roof and available air suspension that rises up when passengers approach for easier seat access.

Vanilla no more. The 2018 Lexus LS 500 sports a giant spindle grille. Together with the z-shaped headlights, the design sets the Lexus apart from other premium autos. Continue on to read more comments by Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne.

With its spindle grille, big, 20-inch alloy wheels, and panoramic sun roof, a fully-loaded, Lexus LS 500 cuts a dashing figure on Metro Detroit roads.

The front cabin of the Lexus LS 500 is opulent with Japanese-inspired design forms, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and available, leather-wrapped, 28-way seats. Lacking is storage console space available in other large premium vehicles.

Chocolate, ultra-suede door and headliner is part of a $12,270 luxury package option that turns the Lexus LS 500 into a rolling Vegas hotel suite: 18-way rear, heated seats, window shades, and other features included.

The back seat of the Lexus LS is a comfortable place to be with available, separate sunroof, heated and cooled reclining seats, and center console touchscreen.

Available with the Lexus LS 500's $12,270 luxury package, a 7-inch rear touch-screen is not only preferable to the front cabin's difficult, remote, touch-pad controller - but it can be used to control everything from the radio to the heated and cooled rear seats.

The rear-seat of the Lexus LS 500 easily fit 6'5" Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne - who gained even more legroom by remotely moving the front passenger seats forward.

The rear seat touch-screen includes controls to collapse the front passenger seat forward for better leg room.

The Lexus LS 500 ditches its traditional V-8 power train for a 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V-6 that puts out 416 horses and 442 pound-feet of torque. The engine bay is wrapped up, making access difficult outside dealer bays.

A touch-pad controller in the center console looks high-tech, but is a headache in operation of the remote, 12.3-inch touch-screen display. The large pad also robs the console of useful storage space for, say, a smart phone.

Contrary to the Audi A8's sprawling display, the Lexus LS 500 instrument cluster is neatly packed around an RPM gauge. Features are operated via the steering wheel - and two "horns" atop the gauge head. Rotate the right horn, for example, and SPORT PLUS mode will turn the gauge red.

The Lexus LS locates its front heated seats and steering wheel options in the infotainment screen - which are difficult to access on the move with the touchpad console controller.

The Lexus LS boasts a large, easy-to-read, 12.3-inch dash display. It features a voice-operated navigation system -but it is slow compared to smartphones and is not up to date in its list of, for example, local restaurants.

The 2018 Lexus LS 500 features backup assist and multiple cameras around the car to give an overhead, 360-degree view of the car. The features are part of a suite of Lexus tech goo-gaws.