There's no mistaking the American heritage of the LHS, but don't confuse
it with the stodgy luxury sedans of Detroit's past.
Sleek and aggressive in stance, yet clearly upscale in appearance, the
LHS stole the Detroit auto show when it first appeared there a few years
back. Indeed, it underscored Chrysler's mounting reputation for design
leadership. Using the automaker's trademark cab-forward design, the LHS
seems even roomier on the inside than it looks from the outside.
Going into its final year of production, the LHS remains handsome and
contemporary. That's because Chrysler wisely banished the sharp creases
and bustle backs that date some luxury models. One designer joked that
the elegant, sweeping curve of the rear window and pillar make it impossible
for all but the most determined dealer to paste on a vinyl roof or cut
in opera windows.
Large, 16-inch aluminum wheels and a steeply raked windshield reinforce
the sporty intent of the LHS. A wide stance balances its long wheelbase.
The LHS uses a front-wheel-drive platform and comes with a 3.5-liter V6
mated to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.
The interior is gloved in rich, tasteful leather, complemented by attractive,
contrasting, leather-grained vinyl with wood accents.
Depending on whether five- or six-passenger seating is needed, Chrysler
LHS offers a choice of front seats. The bucket seats come standard, while
a 50/50 split bench seat is optional for no extra cost.
Our test car was fitted with the bucket seats, which are supportive,
plush and sumptuous, yet not so soft and spongy you feel like you're floating.
There's plenty of lateral support for cornering, but the side bolsters
aren't so tall that it's hard to get in and out. These seats are one of
the reasons many buyers preferred the LHS over the New Yorker.
Other folks like the 50/50 split bench front seat because it permits
seating for three in front or because they simply prefer traditional bench
seating. Both types of seats feature eight different adjustments, most
of which use power controls. Dual cup holders and folding armrests add
to the comfort.
There's plenty of room in the LHS.The front seats are roomier than a
Lexus ES300, Infiniti J30 or Mercedes E-class. They are comparable to a
Lincoln Continental, though not as roomy as the more expensive Seville.
The rear seat offers enough space for some truly extravagant lounging,
even with a couple six-footers up front. There's more room in the back
seats of an LHS than in a Continental, Seville, ES300, J30 or E-class.
Baggage for five should fit in the cavernous trunk. The LHS matches
the Continental's impressive cargo space and offers substantially more
room than all the above competitors.
The instrument panel is well laid out, with gauges that are attractive
and easy to read. Radio controls are within easy reach. The Infinity premium
sound system with cassette and compact disc players provides dynamic tonal
quality. Not used as often are the heating and air conditioning controls,
which are a little more difficult to reach without leaning forward. The
small buttons divert attention away from the road more than they should
and they all look alike, making adjustments more difficult.
The overall interior fit and finish was significantly better than we've
noticed in past years, but it still isn't quite the match of a Lexus or
Mercedes-Benz.
While Chrysler has made no major, visible changes to the LHS this year
we did sense the company has been quietly working to overcome one of the
car's other weaknesses. In year's past, we found that the LHS was not the
quietest car in its class, particularly for rear seat passengers. Some
added insulation, particularly around the rear wheel wells has tamed the
problem.
For the most part, the 214-horsepower, 3.5-liter, 24-valve V6 provides
good performance for the LHS. It tends to be a little noisy under hard
starts and aggressive passes and it doesn't have the off-the-line torque
of a big V8. The LHS, however, weighs considerably less than the Lincoln
Continental and Cadillac Seville and about the same as the Infiniti J30
and Mercedes E-class, which helps make the most of the available power.
The four-speed automatic transmission is smooth and seamless most of
the time. But stand on the gas pedal and shifts tend to get rough and abrupt--or
more positive, depending on your perspective.
The traction control system that comes as standard equipment reduces
wheelspin, particularly when accelerating from a standstill on slippery
surfaces. If the system senses that the front wheels are spinning it will
automatically apply the brakes, pulsing them rapidly until the offending
tire regains its grip.
The LHS is surprisingly agile given its size. With its taut suspension,
it handles like a smaller sedan. Steering is precise with good on-center
feel. The power assist makes the steering feel a bit on the light side
and the LHS leans in corners more than a Lexus or Mercedes, but overall
it handles better than the heavier Lincoln Continental.