WHEN you think of the premium upper-large sedan segment, the first models that come to mind will likely be European offerings like the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, or even the super-luxury barges like the Bentley Flying Spur or Rolls-Royce Ghost.

However the segment’s sole Japanese contender, the Lexus LS, has quietly carved itself out a niche in the segment over the years with a loyal owner base and a more affordable pricetag compared to some of its $250,000-plus segment rivals.

With some mechanical and safety kit tweaks, we took both the LS500 and LS500h out on the road to see whether it can keep up with its European counterparts.