2021 Lexus LS 500 Review
2021 Lexus LS 500 Review
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The Lexus LS 500 does an admirable job as an executive sedan. It has an exquisite cabin filled with high-end materials, many premium features and good value in this prestigious segment. Unfortunately, its clunky user interface and slow-acting advanced driver aids keep the LS from truly rivaling the class leaders.
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2021 Lexus LS 500 Review
byKurt Niebuhr
Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.
Pros
- Library-quiet at highway speeds
- Ride quality remains soft, supple and impervious to broken pavement
- Interior features world-class build quality and artful materials
Cons
- Touchpad-based infotainment is distracting to use
- General lack of sportiness, ceding dynamic advantage to some German rivals
- Gas pedal doesn't feel very responsive
What's new
- Retuned suspension improves ride comfort and refinement
- Small engine tweaks increase efficiency
- Minor interior changes, including extra seat padding, and revised controls
- Part of the fifth LS generation introduced for 2018
Overview
Since its introduction for 1990, the Lexus LS has been the brand's luxury flagship sedan. It's gone through a few generations since, with the latest coming out for the 2018 model year. As always, Lexus has prioritized giving you high levels of comfort and a luxuriously detailed interior. For 2021, the LS has an even smoother ride and slightly improved fuel efficiency.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$242/mo for LS 500 Base
LS 500 Base
vs
$219/mo
Avg. Large Car
These updates are welcome. However, rival sedans such as the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class offer similar levels of refinement and technology plus a wider array of optional engines. Another sedan to consider is the Genesis G90; it offers similar refinement and features as the LS but for slightly less money. How does the updated 2021 Lexus LS 500 stack up? Read our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth take of its key advantages and weaknesses.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
7.7
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Lexus LS 500 does an admirable job as an executive sedan. It has an exquisite cabin filled with high-end materials, many premium features and good value in this prestigious segment. Unfortunately, its clunky user interface and slow-acting advanced driver aids keep the LS from truly rivaling the class leaders.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Performance
7.0/10
How does the LS 500 drive? You expect luxury sedans of this ilk to have decent power, and the LS' turbocharged V6 delivers. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 5.7 seconds. That's an average time for a six-cylinder large luxury sedan. The 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly under hard acceleration but can be a bit slow to downshift if you suddenly go for a pass on the highway.
Braking is smooth and easy during casual cruising but doesn't quite offer the stopping confidence of competitors when slowing from higher speeds. The steering is appropriately light for a luxury sedan. You can dial in some extra heft by switching to a sportier drive mode. The latest LS has decent composure around turns, but it's still primarily a luxury cruiser.
Braking is smooth and easy during casual cruising but doesn't quite offer the stopping confidence of competitors when slowing from higher speeds. The steering is appropriately light for a luxury sedan. You can dial in some extra heft by switching to a sportier drive mode. The latest LS has decent composure around turns, but it's still primarily a luxury cruiser.
Comfort
8.0/10
How comfortable is the LS 500? The optional adjustable air suspension produces a cushy ride on almost any road. Speed bumps are hardly noticeable. Only on severely broken pavement can the ride feel a little choppy. Large pavement dips can cause noticeable body movement. Road, wind and engine noise is virtually nonexistent.
Seat comfort is excellent, with the front seats offering a wide range of adjustments in addition to heating, ventilation and massage. The middle rear seat is pretty stiff and uncomfortable, though suitable for short trips.
Seat comfort is excellent, with the front seats offering a wide range of adjustments in addition to heating, ventilation and massage. The middle rear seat is pretty stiff and uncomfortable, though suitable for short trips.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The interior looks and feels top-notch. Alas, the LS' challenging user interface limits our score. The addition of a 12.3-inch touchscreen for 2021 is a big improvement for the LS 500 but many vehicle settings are still buried in complicated menus. An easier-to-use button layout would help greatly.
There's plenty of space for four passengers, with lots of headroom and legroom. The driving position is excellent, thanks to a wide range of adjustability in the steering wheel and driver's seat. The large doors make getting into the cabin easy, but the wide doorsills make getting out a little tricky.
There's plenty of space for four passengers, with lots of headroom and legroom. The driving position is excellent, thanks to a wide range of adjustability in the steering wheel and driver's seat. The large doors make getting into the cabin easy, but the wide doorsills make getting out a little tricky.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? The standard Lexus Enform app suite isn't very intuitive. Fortunately, Lexus also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. The optional 23-speaker Mark Levinson stereo provides excellent sound quality, even if its "crank it up!" power is a bit lacking. The LS has a voice command system but it doesn't recognize much in the way of natural language. Instead you'll have to use the system's series of prompts.
Lots of standard safety features are present. But the adaptive cruise control is slow to react to traffic and overly conservative with its following distances. The forward collision mitigation system is by far the most sensitive of the LS' systems. You might find it overly so. Our test car applied the brakes in an aggressive fashion on one occasion even though there was no object ahead.
Lots of standard safety features are present. But the adaptive cruise control is slow to react to traffic and overly conservative with its following distances. The forward collision mitigation system is by far the most sensitive of the LS' systems. You might find it overly so. Our test car applied the brakes in an aggressive fashion on one occasion even though there was no object ahead.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The LS 500's trunk is one of the largest in the class. It accommodates plenty of luggage, though its trapezoid shape (it tapers inward near the rear seats) can be somewhat limiting. With bins under the armrests and cutouts in each door, it has plenty of places for small items inside.
For installing child safety seats, there are two easy-access anchors on each of the outboard seats. But reaching the upper tethers for car seats can be tricky since they're set far back on the rear deck and there's not much clearance between them and the roof.
For installing child safety seats, there are two easy-access anchors on each of the outboard seats. But reaching the upper tethers for car seats can be tricky since they're set far back on the rear deck and there's not much clearance between them and the roof.
Fuel Economy
7.0/10
How’s the fuel economy? The rear-wheel-drive LS 500 has an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined (18 city/29 highway). With all-wheel drive, that number drops to 21 mpg combined (17/27). These figures are about average for an executive sedan with a V6. Our all-wheel-drive tester achieved 21.9 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, indicating that EPA's estimate is realistic.
Value
8.0/10
Is the LS 500 a good value? The Lexus LS offers many of the same decadent features as its German rivals but at a lower cost. The price of our test vehicle, with a considerable number of options, was just shy of $100,000. In general, you get a lot for your money. The cabin is full of top-notch materials and build quality is excellent. Our test car had no perceivable panel gaps or trim inconsistencies.
The LS 500 comes with Lexus' four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with complimentary roadside assistance for four years/unlimited miles. This warranty coverage is about par for the course.
The LS 500 comes with Lexus' four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with complimentary roadside assistance for four years/unlimited miles. This warranty coverage is about par for the course.
Wildcard
8.0/10
The LS' gaping maw up front is of questionable taste. But once you get inside it's hard not to be awestruck. Interior design and materials selection are exceptional. It also feels the part when you park it at upscale shopping or dining locations. Is it fun to drive? Ehh, no. This is a sedan meant to be enjoyed as a smooth and luxurious cruiser.
Which LS 500 does Edmunds recommend?
While there may only be one trim of the Lexus LS, there are plenty of options available on their own or in packages. Look to get an LS 500 with the Mark Levinson audio system, the panoramic sunroof, the adaptive air suspension and the Safety System+ A package.
2021 Lexus LS 500 models
The 2021 Lexus LS is offered in only one trim but offers a bevy of stand-alone options as well as option packages that allow buyers a fair amount of customization. Only one powertrain is available: a turbocharged V6 engine (416 horsepower, 442 lb-ft of torque) mated to a 10-speed automatic. The LS can be had with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Standard feature highlights include:
LS 500
Comes well equipped with:
- LED exterior lighting
- 19-inch wheels
- Hands-free power trunk
- Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
- Sunroof
- Leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation
- Power rear sunshade
- 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Navigation system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Proximity key with push-button ignition
- 12-speaker audio system
Lexus' standard advanced driver aids, known as Safety System+ 2.0, include:
- Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
- Lane keeping assist (steers the LS 500 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
- Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front, even down to a stop, and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)
- Blindspot monitoring
Lexus offers several option packages that add luxury and extra performance for the LS 500. Major ones to look for include:
Lexus Safety System+ A package
Contains additional driver assistance, such as:
- Enhanced adaptive cruise control with lane change assist (uses additional sensors to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and can change lanes automatically when the turn signals are activated)
- Front cross-traffic alert (warns if a vehicle in front of you is about to cross your path while you're pulling into traffic)
- Enhanced automatic emergency braking (adds active steering assist to help swerve around obstacles)
F Sport package
Bolsters style and performance with:
- Unique exterior trim
- 20-inch wheels
- High-performance brakes
- Sport-tuned adaptive suspension
- Special instrument panel design
- Perforated leather interior
- Simulated suede headliner
- Upgraded sport front seats
- Aluminum interior trim
Dynamic Handling package
Available only with rear-wheel drive and the F Sport package, this adds:
- Variable-ratio steering and four-wheel steering (can enhance the car's nimbleness in turns or when parking)
- Active stabilizer bars (minimize body lean during hard cornering)
Interior Upgrade package
- Upgraded leather upholstery with quilted stitching
- Upgraded driver's seat with massage functions
- Simulated suede headliner
- Wood trim
- Heated rear seats
Luxury package
- Contents of the Interior Upgrade package
- Upgraded front passenger's seat with massage functions
- Four-zone climate control
- Power-adjustable outboard rear seats
- Power side window sunshades
- 7-inch touchscreen controller for rear seat passengers
Executive package
- Contents of the Luxury package
- Upgraded outboard rear seats with massage functions
- Right rear passenger seat recliner with footrest
Stand-alone options for the LS 500 include an air suspension (it can adjust the vehicle's ride height), adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, intricate interior wood trim, a 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, a head-up display and a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Lexus LS 500.
5 star(51%)
4 star(22%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(11%)
41 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Love mt 2018 LS500 AWD
BJOSE, 03/24/2019
2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
Awesome car. I moved from a 2016 GS350. what a difference in interior quality! LS500 is undoubtedly leaps above the GS. Don't get me wrong... GS is a great car in its own class. But the LS is a much better car. I was thinking of BMW 540 and Benz E450. in the end, when I test drove those vs the LS500, I realized that I love the LS better than the other 2. and the peace of mind that comes … with lexus ownership was priceless. The LS500 is a great and beautiful car. ride is very comfy. acceleration is sneaky fast. you will hit 80mph before you will know it. Love it!
4 out of 5 stars
Expected Smoother Ride
Richard Rogers, 02/16/2019
2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
The best part of my car is it’s stunning exterior. It’s beautiful, and the inside is great too. I don’t like the ride, for a Lexus. They come with No Flat tires because there is no spare tire. These tires give it a rougher ride then regular tires and cost about $1500 each. Today, I got so sick of the ride, I changed them out for $275 Michelin tires which makes the ride much more … Lexus like smooth. It was frustrating to feel every bump and road with the harder tires in Lexus Flagship expensive car. The info panel takes some getting used to because of the mouse you have to use, but once you get the hang of it, it’s better. Bottom line, I expected a much smoother ride from my brand new LS 500 and wish I would have known when I bought it, that the No Flat tires were rough, creating a need for me to replace 3 month tires with ones meant for a smooth riding luxury car.
Update: I have had the new much less expensive Michelin tires on now for 2 days. Awesome change! I now have the ‘Lexus Smooth Ride’ I expected. I love this car!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Life ain’t a trial run.. go for it
Pursuit of Excellence , 12/29/2019
2020 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
Ok. The touch pad is a little tricky. The rest of it hits the mark..I just traded the Mercedes S class for the LS and granted they are different machines but Luxury is Luxury..Absolutely no buyers remorse and driving the Lexus still makes me feel like a unadulterated spoiled brat...it all works for me..
4 out of 5 stars
Dream Drive and Dependibility
Linda J, 01/01/2020
2020 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
Have had both BMW and Mercedes and both were mechanically horrible, and certainly not comfortable. These are strictly performance cars living on that reputation. If you are looking for true LUXURY then you need to look elsewhere. My definition of luxury is comfort, soft leather, 28 way adjustable seats, easy entrance and exit, beautiful exterior and interior, and knowing I'll be able … to drive this car for years and years without having my 2year old car's air conditioning go out on a summer vacation. Just bought a Lexus LS 500 and love, love, love it. Had an ES 350 for 4 years before that and it was the most carefree, comfortable car we ever owned
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Lexus LS 500, so we've included reviews for other years of the LS 500 since its last redesign.
2021 LS 500 Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $76,000 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $242/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the LS 500 models:
- Lane Trace Assist
- Works with adaptive cruise control to detect and follow the path of the car in front for semi-automated driving.
- Lexus Safety System+ A
- Umbrella name for a features suite that includes lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and more.
- Active Steering Assist
- In conjunction with pre-collision warning, the system can take corrective steering action to avoid or minimize a collision.
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