2012 Lexus LS 600h L

No matter how you calculate it, experts say the 2012 Lexus LS 600h L (Base MSRP: $112,750) will never pay for itself at the pump. It costs a whopping $40,000 more than the gas-powered 2012 Lexus LS 460 (Base MSRP: $67,630 to $73,175) and does only 2 mpg better overall -- plus, the hybrid's a tenth of a second slower getting to 60 mph in testing by Edmunds.com.

The 2012 LS 600h L carries forward unchanged from 2011. This long-wheelbase sedan is truly opulent inside, reviews say, and it comes loaded with luxuries like power door closers, a robotic parking system, heated steering wheel and front seats that are heated and cooled. Options abound, too -- like the DVD player, wood-trimmed table and massaging recliner you can get for the backseat.

The Lexus LS hybrid has plenty of competition. The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 (Base MSRP: $97,000 to $101,000) and 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid (Base MSRP: $95,000) are both faster and sportier. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid (Base MSRP: $91,850) delivers comparable luxury for less.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

• City: 19 mpg

• Highway: 23 mpg

• Combined: 20 mpg

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Not rated

IIHS Safety Ratings

• Front Offset Impact: Good

• Side Impact: Not rated

• Rear Impact: Good

• Roof Strength: Not rated

For additional details, see our review of the 2009 model

The Lexus LS 600h L has seen only minor changes since 2009. For a complete analysis of this hybrid luxury sedan, please see our report on the 2009 Lexus 600h L.