Starting at $80,685
Overview
The 2024 Lexus LS luxury sedan is the automaker’s flagship and largest non-SUV offering. Launched stateside in 1990 as a Mercedes Benz S-class competitor with a more attractive price, the LS helped the emerging Lexus brand achieve near-instant recognition and success. The current, fifth-generation 2024 LS strives to deliver the same levels of luxury and performance that put it in the spotlight, but it lacks the cohesiveness and laser-focused execution that made previous versions so remarkable. Previous generations wore a statelier look than the more contemporary-styled one you see here, and the current car’s interior is still loaded with quality materials, but it doesn’t quite live up to the standard set by rivals. A 416-horsepower turbocharged V-6 returns smooth acceleration but lacks any real visceral appeal; a hybrid powertrain is available too. The ride is smooth and the cabin whisper quiet, but uninspiring handling and the lack of an available eight-cylinder engine make the LS500 a bit of an outlier in a class where longtime rivals such as the S-class and the BMW 7-series still offer V-8 power and more balanced chassis dynamics. Though not offensive in any measure, the Lexus feels like its maker simply misjudged what’s needed to compete at the top of this expensive segment.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
What’s New for 2024?
Wireless phone charging is now standard across the LS lineup for 2024. Additionally, the LS receives a larger 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a head-up display, and digital key functionality. Cosmetically, a new Silver Illusion paint option joins the palette, and five new wheel designs are available.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2024 Lexus LS starts at $80,685 and goes up to $115,560 depending on the trim and options.
Despite only minor changes, the base LS500 sees an increase of $3300 for 2024. Still, it’s the best value play of the bunch, as even fully kitted the F Sport models are typically outshined by European options. The Luxury package is a not-so-guilty pleasure we’d spring for; at nearly $15,000, it brings the feature content in line with the best of its competitors. It includes heated-and-cooled front and rear seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery; 28-way power-adjustable front seats with massage; rear buckets; a rear center console with touchscreen controls for climate, audio, and seat functions; four-zone automatic climate control; and power sunshades in the back. For 2024 it also includes a wood and leather-trimmed heated steering wheel. Though the L500h hybrid includes Lexus’ Teammate hands-free driving package as standard, its elevated price and limited fuel efficiency gains diminish its value.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Lexus LS500 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 rated for 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional; a 10-speed automatic transmission comes with either drivetrain. The setup is tuned for smooth operation and silent running except under heavy throttle when it exhales with a bit more gusto. As a luxury yacht, it’s hard to fault, but V-8-powered variants of the BMW 7-series and the Mercedes-Benz S-class lean a bit harder into the sporting paradigm and have proven to be quicker at the test track. The LS500h hybrid version utilizes a non-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and two electric motors to make a combined 354 horsepower. (The rear motor provides all-wheel drive functionality.) The hybrid lacks the finesse of many competitors, and the transmission—a mashup of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a regular four-speed automatic—moves through preset gear ratios with all the crispness of a soggy cornflake. Given the incremental fuel economy gains over the base model and its significantly higher price of entry, we can’t recommend it.
