2023 Lexus LS 500
MSRP range: $76,885 - $83,735 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
7.7/10
Edmunds Rating
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.
2023 Lexus LS 500 Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
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
- General lack of sportiness, ceding dynamic advantage to some German rivals
- Gas pedal doesn't feel very responsive
What's new
- Updated infotainment system adds new touchscreen, advanced voice commands
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now connect wirelessly
- Two additional USB ports
- Part of the fifth LS generation introduced for 2018
Nearly 35 years after its arrival, the luxury sedan that launched Lexus in America still commands attention. That's no small feat given the endless permutations of today's SUVs, but the 2023 Lexus LS 500, like its predecessors, remains the automaker's canvas for tech, comfort and safety innovations.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $4.06 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$221/mo
LS 500 Base
vs
$211/mo
Avg. Large Car
The LS 500 carries over largely unchanged for 2023 with one notable exception: A revised infotainment system adds a new touchscreen (still sized at 12.3 inches) and finally dispenses with the clumsy touchpad control of earlier systems. Features are now accessed through the touchscreen or voice commands. The updated system adds a voice assistant, de rigueur among modern luxury cars, that can respond to natural speech and control media, navigation, climate and other functions.
The tech upgrades are complemented by Lexus' obsessive attention to detail. Ultra-fine metal foil trim called Haku, made by Japanese artisans and meant to evoke moonlight on ocean waves, is one optional way to class up the already decadent interior. There are also decorative cut-glass inlays (Kiriko glass) and hand-pleated fabric door trim. This level of refinement sets the LS apart from rivals like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Genesis G90. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class once counted in this group, but its six-digit starting price now rises above the comparatively humble LS and its peers. Be sure to read our Expert Rating to see how the LS stacks up among the large luxury sleds.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Please note that this rating may change slightly once we test the LS 500's updated infotainment system for 2023.
good
7.7/10
Edmunds 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.
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.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Which LS 500 does Edmunds recommend?
The LS offers just one trim level, but numerous individual and packaged options let you build the LS to extravagant levels. (The top Executive Package alone costs nearly a quarter of the car's retail price.) Assuming you're not shuttling VIPs, we suggest outfitting the LS with the adaptive air suspension, the Safety System+ A package for its expanded driver aids, and the Mark Levinson audio system. If you need additional indulgence, add the panoramic sunroof. The result is an exceptionally well-equipped Lexus for about the price of its base-trim BMW rival.
Lexus LS 500 models
The 2023 Lexus LS 500 comes in a single trim with dozens of options. The sole powertrain is a turbocharged V6 engine (416 horsepower, 442 lb-ft of torque) mated to a 10-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel-drive is an extra-cost option. Standard feature highlights include:
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $78,035
- MPG & Fuel
- 18 City / 29 Hwy / 22 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.7 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 10-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- V6 cylinder
- Horsepower: 416 hp @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque: 442 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50,000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 206.1 in. / Height: 57.0 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 74.8 in.
- Curb Weight: 4,696 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 17.0 cu.ft.
Compare the Lexus LS 500
Compare selected vehiclesCompare Lexus LS 500 to any vehicle See full list of Large luxury sedans rankings
Lexus LS 500 vs. BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is priced significantly higher than the LS, but optioning the LS to a similar level as a base 7 Series closes the gap. Fully redesigned for 2023, the 7 Series offers more performance and variety than the LS, with an optional eight-cylinder engine and plug-in hybrid version. (There's even an all-electric version, the BMW i7.) Rear passenger space is ample, with more than 4 additional inches of rear passenger legroom than the LS. Even at its lofty base price, however, the BMW lacks adaptive cruise control and ventilated seats, which the Lexus includes standard.
Lexus LS 500 vs. Audi A8
Along with its BMW rival, the Audi A8 is a benchmark of full-size sedan luxury. It's slightly roomier inside than the LS, and the interior is impeccably finished. The A8's tech is slick and advanced but comes with a learning curve. Whether the Lexus' revised infotainment system brings it to A8 standards remains to be seen. Both the A8 and LS are luxury cruisers with a dash of sporty performance, and neither is especially athletic. The Lexus does, however, offer much more trunk space and comes with more standard driver aids than the Audi.
Lexus LS 500 vs. Genesis G90
The G90 is the LS 500's most direct rival, offering many of the same standard features, plus a few that are Lexus options, for about the same price. The G90 is also slightly roomier inside and offers an optional V8 engine, which it needs to match the output of the Lexus' V6. With a hint of irony, the G90 is attacking the LS similar to how the LS displaced Cadillac and Lincoln in the early 1990s, by offering impressive luxury value for less. Overall, the LS gets more of the details right — handling, luxury, ride comfort — but the G90 is a compelling alternative.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite LS 500 safety features:
- Lane Trace Assistance
- Works with adaptive cruise control to detect and follow the path of the car in front for semi-automated driving.
- Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
- Groups together a suite of features that includes lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and more.
- Active Steering Assistance
- Applies corrective steering action to avoid or minimize an imminent front collision if the driver doesn't react in time.
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FAQ
Is the Lexus LS 500 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 LS 500 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the LS 500 has 17.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Lexus LS 500. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Lexus LS 500?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Lexus LS 500:
- Updated infotainment system adds new touchscreen, advanced voice commands
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now connect wirelessly
- Two additional USB ports
- Part of the fifth LS generation introduced for 2018
Is the Lexus LS 500 reliable?
To determine whether the Lexus LS 500 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the LS 500. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the LS 500's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Lexus LS 500 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Lexus LS 500 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 LS 500 and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 LS 500 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Lexus LS 500?
The least-expensive 2023 Lexus LS 500 is the 2023 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $76,885.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) which starts at $76,885
- 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) which starts at $80,135
- F SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) which starts at $80,485
- F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) which starts at $83,735
What are the different models of Lexus LS 500?
If you're interested in the Lexus LS 500, the next question is, which LS 500 model is right for you? LS 500 variants include 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A), 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A), F SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A), and F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A). For a full list of LS 500 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more