“The comfort ride is misrepresented. Run Flat tires make the ride rougher and the car has a stiffer ride vs my last LS year 2013.”
Lexus LS: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The Lexus LS is a full-size flagship luxury sedan known for a very quiet ride, smooth power, detailed craftsmanship, and long-distance comfort. It favors calm, polished luxury over the sharper feel and showier character of a sport sedan.
Across generations, the LS has stayed focused on serenity, comfort, and understated luxury. Its engines and technology have evolved, including V8, twin-turbo V6, and hybrid eras, but the core idea has remained the same: make travel feel quiet and unhurried. Japanese-inspired cabin details and a polished driving experience help distinguish it from more performance-focused rivals.
Strengths
- The quiet cabin and comfort-first ride make the LS especially well suited to long trips.
- The interior emphasizes careful craftsmanship and Japanese-inspired attention to detail rather than flashy design.
- Power is strong but delivered in a polished way, with the 2026 LS 500 rated at 416 horsepower.
- Recent generations steadily improved their safety and touchscreen technology while keeping comfort at the center.
- The LS has offered all-wheel-drive versions for buyers who want more confidence in poor weather.
Who it's for
The LS suits someone shopping for a large, refined sedan for relaxed commuting, long highway trips, or carrying passengers in comfort. It is a better fit for buyers who value quietness and craftsmanship than for those seeking sports-car-like handling or attention-grabbing performance.
Lexus LS lineup
The regular LS 460 and later LS 500 have served as the comfort-first core of the lineup, making them the straightforward picks for the traditional LS experience. F SPORT models add a sportier look and handling focus, so they suit shoppers who want a sharper character without leaving the LS family. The LS 600h L and later LS 500h are the hybrid branches, and recent LS 500h models also carried some of the lineup’s most advanced driver-assistance technology. Design-led editions such as the Crafted Line, Inspiration Series, and final-year LS 500 Heritage Edition stand apart through special finishes and bundled equipment; for 2026, the all-wheel-drive Heritage Edition is the only U.S. model.
Lexus LS generations
From 2009 to 2026, the LS spans two generations. The current 5th Generation — XF50 arrived for 2018, following the 4th Generation — XF40 (2007–2017).
5th Generation — XF50 (2018–2026)
The fifth-generation LS moved to a new rear-wheel-drive platform with lower, sleeker styling. It replaced the previous V8 with a twin-turbo V6 and introduced a new hybrid system, while the 2021 refresh improved comfort, styling, and touchscreen usability.
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2026Trim changes
The U.S. lineup narrows to one model: the 250-unit, AWD LS 500 Heritage Edition, marking the LS's final U.S. model year.
2025
Carryover year for the LS 500, LS 500 F SPORT, and LS 500h AWD.
2024
A wireless phone charger becomes standard. Gas models gain an updated safety suite, a head-up display, and a larger driver display.
2023
A new 12.3-inch touchscreen system replaces the touchpad-focused setup and adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2022
An updated safety suite becomes standard. The LS 500h switches to AWD only and gains hands-free-capable highway assistance and advanced parking technology.
2021Mid-cycle update
Revised styling, a smoother and quieter ride, refined powertrains, and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen arrive across the lineup.
2020Trim changes
The limited-run LS 500 Inspiration Series joins the lineup.
2019
An updated driver-assistance suite and Apple CarPlay become standard across the lineup.
2018New generation
A full redesign brings a new platform, lower fastback-like styling, a twin-turbo V6, and a new hybrid system.
4th Generation — XF40 (2007–2017)
The fourth-generation LS used V8 power and came in regular- and long-wheelbase forms, with a long-wheelbase hybrid at the top of the range. It received exterior and technology updates for 2010, followed by a more extensive 2013 refresh with bolder styling, a redesigned cabin, and revised ride and handling.
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2017Trim changes
A Luxury Edition joins the lineup, while the F SPORT appearance package is revised. This is the final model year before the 2018 redesign.
2016Trim changes
The body is stiffened, and the multimedia system gains full-screen maps, updated graphics, better voice recognition, and easier controls.
2015Trim changes
The Crafted Line special edition joins the lineup. The multimedia system and backup-camera guidance are also updated.
2014
Siri Eyes Free compatibility is added, but the lineup otherwise carries over.
2013Mid-cycle update
A major refresh brings spindle-grille styling, a redesigned cabin, a stiffer body, revised ride and handling, and a standard 12.3-inch display. The first LS F SPORT also arrives.
2012Trim changes
A limited-production Sport Special Edition joins the rear-wheel-drive LS 460 lineup.
2011
Brake-override technology becomes standard. AWD gas models switch to standard coil springs.
2010Mid-cycle update
Revised front and rear styling arrives with updated cabin electronics, USB and Bluetooth audio, and a larger information display.
2009
AWD expands to the gas-powered LS 460 and long-wheelbase LS 460 L.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Lexus LS.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lexus LS an SUV or a sedan?
The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury sedan. It is the brand’s flagship four-door car, built around a quiet cabin, a smooth ride, strong power and understated styling rather than SUV utility.
What is the Lexus LS known for?
The LS is known for quiet, comfort-first luxury. Its strengths are a polished ride, a carefully finished cabin and relaxed long-distance manners, with less emphasis on aggressive sport-sedan behavior.
Who is the Lexus LS a good fit for?
The LS fits shoppers who want a large, serene luxury sedan with strong power and an understated personality. It makes more sense for comfort-focused driving than for someone seeking the sharp, busy feel of a dedicated sport sedan.
Does the Lexus LS come as a hybrid?
Yes. Older fourth-generation hybrids are called LS 600h L, while fifth-generation hybrids are called LS 500h. The final U.S. model is the gas-powered LS 500 Heritage Edition, so hybrid production does not extend through the LS’s last model year.
Does the Lexus LS have a V8?
Some used LS models do. The LS 460 uses a 4.6-liter V8, and the older LS 600h L pairs a 5.0-liter V8 with a hybrid system. The fifth-generation LS replaced the V8 layout with V6-based gas and hybrid powertrains.
Does the Lexus LS have all-wheel drive?
Yes, but drivetrain depends on the version and era. Gas LS 460 and LS 500 models appear in rear- or all-wheel-drive form, while the LS 600h L uses all-wheel drive. Newer LS 500h models and the final Heritage Edition also use all-wheel drive.
What are the main Lexus LS generations to know when shopping used?
The two main eras here are the fourth generation, which ran through 2017, and the fifth generation from 2018 through 2026. The newer generation brought a lower shape, twin-turbo V6 power and the LS 500 and LS 500h names.
Lexus LS Reviews
What owners are saying about the Lexus LS.
4.2
Lexus LS
(646 reviews)
“no better ride and just get the oil changed when scheduled and you will never have problems with the car”
“Tech is not user friendly, buttons are not well lit so you can't see what you are doing. Not intuitive. Climate control not easy to understand.”
“check the voice activation system first. New vehicle requires I push a button to activate. BMW--merely voice to activate”
“The Lexus 500 is a well engineered automobile with comfort, safety and ease a consideration when driving. This is very important to me since many of my trips involve 10-12 of driving time.”
“It's a beautiful car in every way, unless you want a really large trunk or need to fold down the rear seat.”
Sources
- pressroom.lexus.com — 2026 Lexus Ls A Homage To The Original
- pressroom.lexus.com — 2025 Lexus Ls Celebrating 35 Years Of Excellence
- pressroom.lexus.com — Lexus Reimagines Global Flagship Sedan 2018 Ls
- pressroom.lexus.com — Whats New 2024 Lexus Ls
- lexus.com — Models / 2025 / MY25 Lexus LS Brochure
- pressroom.lexus.com — Intuitive Technology Added To 2023 Lexus Ls 500 500H With Lexus Interface Integration
- pressroom.lexus.com — 2021 Lexus Ls 500 500H Add Layers Of Flagship Refinement
- lexus.com — Models / 2024 / MY24 Lexus LS Brochure
- lexus.com — Models / 2023 / MY23 Lexus LS Brochure
- pressroom.lexus.com — Whats New 2022 Lexus Ls 500
- lexus.com — Models / 2021 / MY21 Lexus LS Brochure
- pressroom.lexus.com — Vehicle / 2022 Lexus Ls