2021 Lexus LS

History/Overview

The Lexus LS is this Japanese brand’s most prestigious car, a full-size sedan that contains about as much luxury as you could ask for in a traditional four-door. As of 2021, the LS is in its fourth decade of production.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2021, the LS gets a few evolutionary changes. All models are now standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Lexus has also retuned the suspension for a smoother ride, and the gas powertrain gets new pistons designed for better cold-weather fuel economy. Hybrid models have been revised to rely on electric power more during acceleration.

New options include a palomino leather interior with black laser ornamentation. There’s also a new design for the LS’s LED headlights, and the standard safety package now includes intersection turning assist.

Available Trims

Lexus offers the LS in gas and hybrid variants called LS 500 and LS 500h. The former uses a turbocharged V6 and a 10-speed transmission, while the latter mates a naturally aspirated V6 with electric power and a continuously variable transmission. Both come with standard AWD.

Standard Features

Outside, the LS is dressed with 19-inch wheels, adaptive triple-beam LED headlights with auto-leveling, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors.

Inside, you get a garage door opener, hands-free trunk open/close, passive keyless entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 23-speaker stereo, 12.3-inch infotainment display, satellite radio, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, 28-way driver and 20-way front passenger seats, driver massage, four-way front lumbar, dual-zone auto A/C, a heated steering wheel with power adjustments and woodgrain/leather trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 8.0-inch multi-info display, a head-up display, a suede headliner, semi-aniline door trim, and a wood/leather-trimmed shifter.

The LS’s standard safety pack comprises radar cruise control, automatic high beams, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, forward collision detection with automatic braking, and lane departure alert with steering assist.

LS 500h adds air suspension, 20-inch wheels, a panoramic view monitor, rear-seat cushion airbag, rear and side window power sun shades, a wallet-sized smart key, pedestrian alert, all-speed radar cruise control, lane change assist, active collision avoidance steering assist, and front cross traffic alert.

Key Options

All LS options are for the non-hybrid LS 500.

An F Sport pack adds a panoramic moonroof and view monitor, 20-inch wheels, smooth leather seating, a camera-based rearview mirror, air suspension, and the LS 500h’s more advanced safety kit.

A Luxury package gets front passenger lumbar, rear-seat lumbar, 18-way rear seats, front passenger massage, four-zone A/C, and ventilated rear seats.

Finally, an executive package brings a rear-seat ottoman, 22-way power rear seats, full rear sun shade coverage, rear-seat massage, a smart card key, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

Fuel Economy

Lexus’s fuel consumption estimates for the LS are 13.8/8.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for the LS 500, and 10.1/8.1 in the LS 500h.

Competition

With the LS, Lexus is going after cars like the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Audi A8. Newer players in this field include the Genesis G90.