To a large majority of the premium executive sedan buyers, Japanese luxury brands such as Lexus and Infiniti don’t even register as left-field alternatives, let alone natural rivals to the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Apparently, they are being hypnotised to think as such, according to Lexus.
Lexus USA’s new video ad – simply named Hypnotize – is cleverly positioned to serve as a wake up call for its target customers, urging them to look past the image barrier. It centres on the Lexus GS executive sedan and its German rivals, the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6.
The premium Japanese marque claims that the GS 350 trumps them all, by virtue of it having leather upholstery as standard (unlike the Merc – in the US, at least), rear-wheel drive as opposed to the A6’s front-wheel drive layout and of course, more power from its six-cylinder engine than the 5 Series’ four banger.
Watch the ad for yourself (and how it was shot below), and tell us what you think. So, do you agree you’ve been hypnotised all this while?
Closer to home, we’ve pitched the GS 250 against the BMW 520i, Audi A6 2.0T and Infiniti M25 (now called the Q70). Read our full comparison feature to see if we think the Lexus is a worthy rival to the usual suspects (no, we don’t mean the Infiniti).
Lexus GS 250
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Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
In term of comfort, Lexus beat Mercedes.
In term of handling, Lexus beat Audi.
In term of image, Lexus beat BMW.
Apa lagi lu mau.
cool story bro
Be confident of ourselves, improve ourselves. Mercedes-Benz will not attack back nor will they do so to BMW/Audi, I believe.
Basically, its the best in the world. Reliability, safety, comfort, handling, and the passion of Japanese.
Japanese cars for life !
German cars are overrated, excluding supercars
In traffic jam, Lexus beat all germans. No wonder, as Lexus is from 110km/h speed limit land.
U guys seem to forgot about Infinity.
Some reviews rate the Q70 higher this Lexus.
I read some articles that says the Germans most feared Japanese competitor is Infinity.
Y? Because it handles brilliantl.
GTR is proof that Nissan/Infinity car performance/handling is top notch.
*cough*
What about the LFA?
‘Cough, cough’
What about R390 GT1
Not even in your wet dreams. LOL
Lexus is just a overpriced camry for sohai to pay more money. Nothing else. Image is lesser than even VW. Big time sohai that don’t test drive and compare spec will fall for this junk!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA
Amazing filming set up! I didn’t expect that they really swing real german cars. I wondered how much did they spent into making this video ad. Simply awesome.
I dont understand why they sate Mercedes used outstandard leather ?? anyone can give more detail ?
That’s because the E-class doesn’t come standard with leather upholstery in the US. It’s a costly option. In comparison, the GS offers leather upholstery across the range.
wet dream lexus?
Amazing and brave setup !
Oh my dear…
How could I have been blinded all this while?…
I must have been under an illusion, a spell!
Now that I have been shown the way…
Brb gotta get myself a bmw.
There is something call Brand Power…and Marketing….the Jap has good product, but their marketing is….sucks…so lots of work to do even though they are good…
Similar for many P1 said Preve are better than Vios/City…so? People still buy Vios/City
That’s different, proton’ s ride is anyday better than most Japs sampan one.
Now Japs want to claim they are better than Germans?
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Didn’t mean to lean towards any side, but you must have been missing some latest test drive or comparison issues of recent Lexus models eh?
The Lexus GS350 trumps all its rival in Motor Trend’s comparison test, and it handles better than the 5 series.
I hate to say this, but honestly, the GS really drives and handle very very well. Where the F10 5 is now more pliant even in M guise, the GS F sport hybrid was an amazing car. It really exceeded my expectations.
Sadly you see a lot of bashers here because they will argue that Lexus cars are glorified Toyotas. I won’t disagree with that but honestly they have arrived. Seriously. Even the small and crampy IS left me wanting more.
i won’t comment much about the GS or IS, but for those ct200h crap, those are just wannabes..
Preve? Better than H. City? That’s a good one! Hahahaha…..oh wait, you’re serious.
Honda City got weak 1.5l engine. 120ps but nowhere better than 109ps vios.
Duh
0-100: City beats Vios
Top speed: City beats Vios
Fuel Consumption: 17.5km/l City vs 11km/l Vios
Space: City beats Vios
Safety: City definitely beats Vios hands down
Do some simple comparison and know your facts bro.
Cool story.
that’s true preve ride and handling beats the jap crap anytime. reliability is another question though.
and quality
how i wish proton will do this kind of TVC in Malaysia against others car brand hahaha
looking forward to see how german respond to this. let’s start the adv war again, we just sit back and have fun, hahaha..
Good effort on the making the video part… But, have they forgotten about the amazing efficiency of the TwinPower Turbo N20 and the new BlueDirect 2.0 used in the BMW and Merc respectively compared to the GS250?
We Malaysians care a lot about FC, but Americans don’t give a shit. XD
OMG really?!?!?! first look at the car already X X X. hell no!
what’s X X X ? x-rated?
Japanese for its reliability and sincerity
German for its engineering and durability
Korean for its integrity
China for its king of copy
Korean for its integrity LMAO, you have never deal with Korean before have you?
those sound like crappy adjectives to me. japs for its sincerity?? what the hell does that even mean?
Jokes of the century…….
That usually means its not
Lexus has definitely overtaken the Germans in terms of dynamics. The F10 is now too soft and E is too numb. A6 is just a waste of time, dynamically.
Do an extensive test drive. You’ll feel the difference.
But Malaysians are typically blinded by western = good.
Asian girls want a white guy
Asian guys wants European cars
says the Lexus salesman?
Opinion Beemer blindness
No, says reviewers like those from Motor Trend!
Please, be open-minded for God’s sake. If something is good, then give a compliment. Don’t condemn blindly.
correction Asian guys want European cars so that Asian girls will look at them instead of white guys
4 brands people love to Hate in Paultan.org:
1. Proton.
2. Perodua.
3. Volkswagen.
4. Toyota.
Bloody Malaysians only love Korea.
Makan pun Korea.
Singing pun Korea.
Jerk off pun Korea.
Congratulations Korea for claiming Malaysia as Korea.
The only German make that Lexus can beat is the Volkswagen.
the rest is just syok sendiri.
Not necessary, bro.
Seriously? Or the only German brands you know are Merc, Audi, BMW and VW?
Oh, I know more but if i mention here, it will be a long list.
And you’re sure the names in your long list are better than Lexus?
im sure lexus beats Opel
Same in working environment, mat salleh always better than Asian. All innovative and high ranking jobs shld b reserve for them and we pay them to our nose. We shld wake up!
Mat Salleh in general are not better than Malaysians. But Germans are! definitely better!
Mat Salleh typically are lazy and laid back. But Germans are very innovative ppl. They are like the Japanese of the West. Way better than how Malaysian work. And also their commitment.
I’am not sure, if i were to put my name down for a Lexus it would mean I’am looking for something different. The Lexus GS in my opinion is the 2nd best looking amongst the 4 cars, and the best interior. And looking at all the reviews, it has glaring faults; steering/throttle too numb, innovation isn’t anywhere like the Germans we are talking engine efficiency in particular.
But I believe Lexus is turning a hyundai here, they stop benchmarking against the Germans and offer something truly different, the german cars now looks too conservative and dare I say it predictable, thou handsome the Germans are, my attention are always stolen by the IS that just looks outtathisworld. Thou I wonder weather Lexus can pull another LS-phenomena here, one of the rare time Eastern smack the Western world in innovation and engineering.
The LFA, IS and RC F is a sign of change for the Japanese premium marque, and I’am expecting under Akio more things to come.
which website you read from? the GS is critically acclaimed, or have you confused the GS with the IS? the 2014 GS is better than the F10 5 series, but of course the F10 is aging, and this is coming from someone driving a german.
Autocar and was it WhatCar, but I’ve checked it is the lower end model, not the F-sport.
The GS itself has aged also espacially considering how fresh the new IS and wild the IS and RC is. I’am actually looking out on how Akio is handling Lexus, I find Lexus’s latest design most suprising and least predictable in the auto world.
Not many people realised tat it is just a rebadged Toyota Camry….true car enthusiast will know…
If you know nothing about car, find out more before you make any comment, if not you will be like a fool. For your information GS is RWD and Camry is FWD how to rebadge? Are you trying to say that the Camry front end is the GS rear end?
same shit different shape
boooooooooooooooooooooooo
As a self-proclaim car enthusiast,I do agree and approve of this rebadge. I do wish more company follow suit in rebadging cars like Lexus does.
I mean rebadging is cheap and easy right ,Pz VI? so It should be easy for any manufecturer to increase the wheelbase by 75mm, and width by 20mm. While they are at it, change it from FWD to RWD, and also give it a Eight Speed Transmission. Also like how the GS ‘rebadging’ works, completely redesign the chassis so that it is 200kg heavier, and redesign the entire interior. Wow if other car manufecturer were to start this rebadging trend, imagine how much better cars we would have?
It is a Camry…with a Lexus badge. With loads more sound-proofing, more expensive materials, probably better comfort and more technological goodies. Oh and legendary customer care. Things that would appeal to some executive or rich guy who is just looking for a comfortable, hassle-free ride.
A true car enthusiast would know.
Seriously bro? This is the most stupid comment i’ve heard. If your syok sendiri claim is true, any kancil can become luxury car like germans after all these stuffing gadgets.
I’m fully awaken, but my bank account makes me fall asleep…
My apologies, i was reffering to the ES model..anyway, in the old days, the ES was truly a rebadged Camry, especially sold in the US
Ahhh the ES, yes the old car was indeed a rebadge Camry, but the new one is based of the bigger Avalon.
I have been seeing alot of ES lately, not sure why but their popularity seems to trump that of the GS and IS. I saw an Avalon during my time in S.Korea and frankly, I wish we have the Avalon instead of the ES, looks better and probably cheaper for the same car(ES is 50mm longer thou).
FAN FACT: The ES is built exclusively in Japan but not sold in Japan itself.
Heh, should have scrolled down before I made that comment. You did sound like you were referring to the ES, but it really is more than just a rebadged Camry. According to those who have tried it, it is much more refined. Also, Lexus is known to care a lot about the ownership experience.
AAudi A3 is a golf and A1 is a Polo.
And the ES is truly over priced too.
the ad seems a little desperate for me. lexus has a lot of other advantages, why they want to pitch themselves against German marques at this point I don’t really understand. They are not up there yet, period. But that doesn’t mean they are not good and have some other strengths in their cars that others don’t.
Ok…comments here all seems to be against Lexus.
Anyway, about 15 years ago, I spoke to one uncle who drove a S class but later changed to Lexus. Then also met another Lexus owner. Both said the Lexus is much better than the Merc.and BMW.
I am also as sceptical as most of us here, but perhaps any Lexus owners can give some comments about the engineering of this car and is it really that good ?
Lexus owners, please share your thoughts.
Cobra,
My GF in DE owns one. An IS300. Great car. For her. Boring for me. I don’t diss ’em cos they’re good cars and aside from its schedeled maintenance, ain’t got no need to jenguk2 ‘klinik’ or worse, ‘hospital’ like some Eurocars do. I’ve ‘splained further down the thread…
What a joke. Of course today’s lexus is better than S-class 15 yrs ago ( W220 ) maybe he was comparing to W140?
No little kids dream is when growing up wants to own a lexus.. that says a lot
Only says a lot about consumer perception…nothing else.
Only the LFA deserve my attention, the rest of Lexus range makes me fall asleep.
Lexus said itself is useless! Let the consumers to tell us.
If it’s good, then it deserves a compliment. If it ain’t, it’s never too late to criticize.
However, who are we to Boooo here and there; call this rebadged or not, or even shoot Lexus down when we haven’t actually sat and drove the GS before?
Did Lexus pay you to say this?
I would be more than happy if they are paying me, but the truth is, I’m saying this because it’s true.
People are here to blindly condemn brands they don’t like even though they re good. Weird mentality.
but it looks cheap like a CAMRY!
misleading advertisement. this is a very high level comparison. compare the finer elements in details (even if it’s a 4cyl engine) and you’ll see Germans are the clear winner. for the sake of argument, anyone can argue they are better and this advertisement from Lexus is proving just that. Lexus is no doubt a good car, but somehow, it takes a bit more work from them to surpass the German rival.
I always refer to lexus as an alternative brand n not a competing brand…as da germans become more n more popular n common,that lexus is sting diff n abit more exclusive than da gerrmans…
Nice cars. All of ’em. But the big L ain’t got no soul. Hard to explain but those with more than 25 years driving experience will get what I mean. Closest explanation on the ‘no soul’ thingy is like having a hawt girlfriend who never ever says no to anything you want/need and never nags and never anything negative. That’s just ain’t right! And also on the GF analogy….they do NOT age well!
Pit a 1990 LS400 vis a vis a W126/e32, 1995 GS/Aristo Vs e39, 2001 LS430 Vs W220/e65/A8(ronin one), 2008 GS300/350 Vs W211/e60/C6….etc….you get what I mean.?? The Lexus models all look long in the tooth and doesn’t carry the same ‘clout’they once had. Whereas a Euro Conti will just age gracefully provided you keep it clean and not run bling wheels with psychedelic colours…!
Am not anti-Japanese since I can appreciate what their cars stand for, i.e Luxury without the foibles. IMHO the things that the Japanese stand above the rest are :…..Cameras (yup, Leica and ‘Blad included)and Katanas and old skool Battleships. Yeah,that’s about it…..Period.
Personally, Its very hard to get what this ‘soul’ means. Personally, soul is getting a car be as close to human as much as possible to the point it can be anthropomorphize to a human. Good looks, characterful and has little flaws that reminds you that it is human. I have a 1990 Proton Saga that I have now rarely drive, because everytime I take it out of my hometown, I get this feeling that the engine will give up on me at any moment, just the other day the fuel pump broke right in the middle of a one-way street, the I manage through either prayer or the car’s determination to limp it back on what fuel left in the carburetor for the remaining 40 or so meter to the street exit, freeing the poor soul stuck behind me. It tends to have character, when the day is good and the air is cool, nothing can put a bigger smile on my face than an empty street and the 4G15 engine purring. But on certain days, it just refuse to move nicely, with the engine coughing and spatting. The Saga is now my weekends fun-car, something I drive down to shop and never beyound, and I have grown very dear to the car, but does it have soul?……its not really good looking, it dosen’t have a nice engine note nor does it goes like stint, it should therefore tick all the box of a soulless car, but how can it have no soul when I love it so much.
Like everyone else, I love a Jaguar F-type or Ferrai 458 more than anything, but look at all the Japanese car documentry, those old X-car video, MaihamMedia and Petrolicious, Dare to go beyound? animes such as Wangan Midnight and Initial D, the Japanese also have the same affection to their car like the Europeans, but they express it in a different way. I do agree Lexus is a little soulless, but we have exception, the LFA and the 1st gen IS, they do not have soul but have character, in the words of Jeremy Clarkson “they are machines, soulless and machanical , but John Connor loved one”.The latest generation of Lexus, particularly the IS and RC are machines that people could love, I will never see it as an equal to anything the European does because Japanese does thinng differently. A GTR dosen’t have soul and so does an EVO, but they still manage to put a huge grin on anyone driving it?
And regarding the ‘old-school’Japanese battleship standing above the rest, the Kongou class is design by the British , and one of its ship, the Hiei, could’t even put its gun low enough to shoot a nearby Destroyer. The Fuso and Hyuuga, weren’t fast enough to catch up its Aircraft Carrier fleet and the by the time the Yamato’s could locate, track , load ans shoot one of its shell, the American Iowa already fired two shots, and the Yamato’s shall is only 25% better penetration than the Iowa’s and Iowas have longer range. Maybe history didn’t prove their effectiveness, but foreign ship have better targeting system and damage control, but even the USN and RN has to say that the Japanese have amazing desciplin amongst their sailor.
Japanese reliability with Luxury found in most continental, what more can u ask for? This statement might just be true.
Huh! My BMW RWD can do wheelspin more powerful than this car!
Wake up.. GS is also RWD. And do u really own a BMW?
come letstake a spin with my 528i msport.
Really? where? when? at Genting?
For a guy who have driven all 3 in US (left hand drive- different specs) and Malaysia (right hand drive and different specs) I will always go for Lexus for comfort and handling but to make ‘corporate statement’ and ‘showing off’ to foreign investors and clients, BMW and Benz still better than Lexus. That being said, comparing Infinity G35 with Lexus GS… book me a G35.
Seriously, why bother with expensive Camry if you have the budget ??? If you want alternatives, try maserati or even jaguar.
At least this 2 cars won’t make you look like an ah mat as compared to lexus.
I mean when there are time you want to drive the car.
It is indeed better in many other ways..just take a look at the reviews in America, some of those leading car mags & other reviewers picked the GS, NOT GS250 but its the GS350 F Sport 8 speed ZF transmission as the top choice against all other Germans! That 3.5L engine is one of Toyota’s best V6! Google it out, its all there!
Correction: Lexus has its own 8 speed Sport Direct Shift transmission used few years ago itself, not using ZF’s 8HP..its one the best transmission in the world including the engine the 3.5 V6!
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/zfs-8-speed-automatic-transmission
http://pressroom.toyota.com/article_print.cfm?article_id=1519
Its hard to change the mindset of people. It has been implanted in us since young that one day we must “Own a Bmw” or ” Own a Merc” for people to go ” waaaah they are so successful”. It is indeed a bitter pill to swallow when someone thinks that his dream car is a BMW, works hard for it, Makes it and buy one… and suddenly reviews say a Jap brand like Lexus is better, it his mind it will definitely be “This is a load of CRAP”
I’m not taking sides on this. Since it is apparent that there are ample fans for both German and Japanese makes as well as minds set in concrete.
I link this report however simply as a reference : http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/64280/most-reliable-cars
Peace Out.
I can’t wait for the day hyundai and kia will dare to issue such a bold statement as lexus…better than german :p
Sam Loo will foam in his mouth if it happens :p
Hyundai is starting to benchmark Lexus with their new cars. They boldly say that the new Azera is as good as a Lexus ES. :)
Each and every car was designed and build with a specific target market in mind. As such, some car models will be attracted to certain car buyers with various reasons like size, design and price. Critising a car based solely on perception alone is definitely not a proper way to voice one’s opinion. However one dislike Lexus for whatever reasons, the fact that Lexus has consistently won awards in JP Powers ratings must means Lexus has been doing something right all this while. Call Lexus and arrange for a test drive to see whether Lexus really deserves to be the challenger to the Germans.
Lexus comes standard with German car pricing. This ad just screams on how desperate Lexus has already become. And to top it up, lexus has worse resale value than German cars….