2018 Lexus LS 500
What’s new
- The 2018 Lexus LS 500 is an all-new model
- Part of the fifth LS generation introduced this year
New
Pros
- Library-quiet at all speeds on all roads
- Ride quality remains soft, supple and impervious to bad asphalt
- Interior features world-class build quality and artful materials
Cons
- General lack of sportiness cedes advantage to some German rivals
- Accelerates quick for its size, but the pedal response feels slow, numb
- Touchpad-based infotainment is clever but distracting on the road
2018 Lexus LS 500 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which LS 500 does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Don't let the sharp angles and bold style fool you: The 2018 Lexus LS 500 is traditional Lexus throughout. A comprehensive redesign inside, outside and underneath places the LS once again in the same rare air as recently updated large luxury sedan designs from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. The cushioned ride and whisper-quiet interior are made to pamper, and the cutting-edge tech delivers increased driver safety. The LS 500 reminds you that Europe doesn't have a lock on world-class luxury.
The new fifth-generation Lexus LS 500 is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, the LS 460, with a new coupelike profile that makes it look slimmer and more lithe — no small feat for a car that weighs more than 5,000 pounds. A new suspension design yields sportier handling, but we use that term loosely. This is, first, a luxury sedan better suited to arcing through turns than attacking them.
An all-new turbocharged V6 engine delivers more horsepower than the outgoing model, and it pairs with a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. The new LS 500's longer wheelbase, longer even than that of the earlier extended model, ensures a cabin roomy enough to cosset weary leaders of industry or even just visiting in-laws, especially when you spring for the seats with up to 28 separate adjustments.
Even a base model LS 500 comes with enough appointments to satisfy most buyers, but those with a more discerning eye can opt for enhancements such as a lowering suspension to ease entry and exit, advanced driver safety aids, and an audiophile-grade sound system.
Trim levels & features
The 2018 Lexus LS 500 is a full-size luxury sedan with seating for five passengers. It comes in a single, well-appointed trim level with a handful of stand-alone options and options packages. Even without a single option, the LS 500 comes loaded with the safety and comfort features you'd expect of this class. A hybrid version is reviewed separately.
Standard equipment on the LS 500 is extensive and begins with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine (416 horsepower, 442 pound-feet of torque) paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive comes standard; all-wheel drive is optional.
Highlights include 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, LED headlights, a sunroof, a hands-free trunk, power-closing doors, leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, magnesium paddle shifters, 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade.
Technology features include a 12.3-inch color display, a navigation system, a trackpad-style interface, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Lexus Enform smartphone app integration, Enform emergency and convenience services, Bluetooth and a 12-speaker audio system. Finally, standard driver aids include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and rain-sensing wipers.
The LS 500 can be further tailored to your taste with a comprehensive options list. The Interior Upgrade package adds leather upholstery with quilted stitching, 28-way power-adjustable driver seat, and heated rear seats, among other items. The Luxury package adds a 28-way adjustable seat for the passenger, 18-way adjustable and reclining rear seats, four-zone climate control, power rear side sunshades, an armrest-mounted touchscreen controller for climate and seat functions, and rear-seat knee airbags.
Drivers seeking a more sporting flavor can equip the LS 500 with the F Sport package, which adds 20-inch wheels, larger brakes, a retuned suspension, unique styling trim, exclusive leather upholstery, and 28-way power-adjustable seats. The Performance package bundles all that and adds variable gear-ratio steering and rear-wheel steering.
The Executive package truly transforms the LS 500 into a luxury shuttle, adding butterfly rear headrests, individual climate control settings, heated and ventilated rear seats with massaging function, and an extendable ottoman footrest for the right-side rear passenger. The cabin is further touched with hand-pleated trim and stylized glass materials.
Additional safety aids come with the Safety System+ A package, which adds adaptive cruise and automatic steering that can detect and "trace" the path of the vehicle in front, for a semiautonomous driving experience. Other features include forward cross-traffic alert, road sign recognition, an enhanced head-up display, and a panoramic rearview monitor.
Notable individual options include an adaptive air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, upgraded wood trim, and a premium 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
Trim tested
Driving
Comfort
Interior
Utility
Technology
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Lexus LS 500.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2018 Lexus LS 500 video
[MUSIC PLAYING] MARK TAKAHASHI: I'm standing next to the all new Lexus LS 500. This is the fifth generation LS. Now, this all started in 1989 when Lexus set the automotive world on its head with the first LS. It was groundbreaking. No one really had the audacity to think that a Japanese company could, number one, create a luxury brand. And number two, create something that was so good. Now, this one isn't nearly as groundbreaking. It's more an evolution. But there are some really good bits about this. And there's a few that I could do without as well. So let's go take a look. To be perfectly honest, I haven't been a big fan of the Lexus spindle grill. However, on this new LS, it does seem to work much better. I like the sculpting. I like all the bevelling. It's aggressive. It's slightly sporty. It's not trying too hard in some ways. Maybe the grill is a little too horsey still. But there is a lot of detail there. And there's a certain elegance to it as well. Like a lot of luxury vehicles out there, you have a power trunk lid. And it's hands free, as long as you have the key in your pocket. Now, the trunk, it's not as big as some of the luxury flagship sedans I've seen out there. But it will certainly hold all your stuff. There are some nice cutouts behind the wheel arches that will definitely get two full sized golf bags in. Now, you also have the button up here, like you normally do with all power trunk lifts to close it. But it's the same operation. That's convenient. So the interior of the LS 500 is really well done. The design has a lot of organic flowing shapes. But it's not overly done. Materials' quality throughout is really quite good as well. So as you'd expect from a flagship luxury sedan, the ride quality is really nice and compliant and smooth. It's fairly quiet. I do hear some road noise. But it's not that big of a problem. And you have the selector up here for the different normal sport modes and custom modes, rather than down here. So you could just kind of adjust it on the fly, rather than having to look down and get distracted that way. The one bummer though is they're still using this trace pad. Now, they're using the latest version of the trace pad, that they have in the LC 500, but even that, it's probably one of the worst systems, quite honestly, to use for infotainment. It's fine if you're parked. But when you're moving, it just takes a lot of effort to make sure you're on the right hotspot here and they're just kind of bouncing all over the place. Really, truly I wish they would just go to a regular touch screen, or even the knob that all the Germans are using. As far as seat comfort is concerned, they're pretty firmly padded. They're not too cushiony and pillowy. So it feels a little bit like an Audi in that way. There's not a lot of side bolstering. But one cool thing about the side bolstering is, when you put it in park, it sort of dips down, so you don't have to climb over it. So I'm on this curving valley road here. I can feel a little bit of body roll, but it's kind of what you'd expect from any luxury sedan. Throw it in sport plus mode and it dials way way back. But then, it also starts stiffening up the ride. And the steering also wakes up in the sport modes. You have manual control over the transmission, if you need it. But as I was driving this tight, twisty road in, I was surprised, and impressed, by how smartly it was downshifting as I was hitting the brakes and going into a turn. I had the opportunity open a few times and kind of carve through a few fun turns. And I can say, yes, this is actually kind of fun to drive. I'm not a fan of the engine noise. My guess is that it's being piped in through the speakers. I'll have to verify that. But it's a little too loud for my taste, especially for such a big luxury sedan. Earlier, I drove the hybrid LS 500H. and I was actually quite impressed by it. It was responsive and it had plenty of passing power. The brakes also felt like a typical car, not so much a hybrid, where you get a little softness and a little lack of feel and response. It was just fine. So because of that, I wouldn't be too surprised to see the hybrid lead for sales. In front of me, I have a really, really big head up display. I've got navigation. I've got some of the safety features, as well as the driver assistance in the middle. It's tack sharp. And visually, it looks like it's half a foot in from of the nose of the car. So focus wise, it's really easy to read and the alerts will pop up right in your vision. Easily one of the better head up displays. So here I am in the backseat of the LS 500. And this one is optioned with the executive rear seat, so a lot more comfort to be had back here. However, much like the infotainment system up front, the one back here is about as easy to use, which is not quite a good thing. In any case, just demonstrate for you right now, that you can fold the front seat all the way forward, the headrest tucks in, and it all starts moving forward like that. And you just have a ton of leg room. You have this ottoman that will come out, nice little leg rest. So really and truly, you have a level of luxury back here that would be akin to, let's say, business class before they went to the fold flat sleeper beds. Now, you can still recline quite a bit. It'd be pretty easy to doze off back here like this. So you do have all the climate control stuff back here, ventilated seats, heated seats, a full body massage, full body refresh. Now, it's not like an aggressive shiatsu massage or anything. It's a nice rolling action. And you have the same functions in the front seats. There's the rear sunshade. There's my sunshade. Under here, two USB ports. That's pretty good. Decent size cup holders. And materials' quality, it's just like the front, impeccable. So with Mark Levinson surround sound system option, you even have some speakers up in the headliner. And these speakers are just kind of everywhere. It's an all enveloping system. And it sounds amazing. If you're an audiofile, in my opinion, this is one of the better ones. So those are my initial impressions of the all new Lexus LS 500. In terms of price, it sits just above the new offerings from Genesis, especially the G90. However, it's quite a bit less than the typical German flagships, like the Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, and BMW 7 series. It is a marked improvement when it does come to performance. This thing is actually quite fun to drive. My recommendation is the hybrid. You get better fuel economy, obviously, and very little sacrifice as a result. For more information on the Lexus LS 500, as well as all of its competition, head on over to edmunds.com. 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2018 Lexus LS 500 Review
Take a spin in the all-new 2018 Lexus LS 500 with Edmunds Senior Writer Mark Takahashi to see if this fifth-generation evolution lives up to expectations. The previous LS was praiseworthy for its comfort and craftsmanship but was knocked for its dull driving feel and slow acceleration. The new LS maintains the best parts of its predecessor and overcomes its drawbacks with engaging driving dynamics and an appropriate amount of power for a car this size.
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite LS 500 safety features:
- Lane Trace Assist
- Works with adaptive cruise control to detect and follow the path of the car in front for semiautonomous driving.
- Lexus Safety System+
- Umbrella name for 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 a potential collision or lessen one.
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Lexus LS 500 vs. the competition
2018 Lexus LS 500
2018 Audi A8
Lexus LS 500 vs. Audi A8
With less weight and sportier suspension tuning, the A8 feels smaller and nimbler when you're driving around turns. Both the A8 and the LS 500 feature cabins that coddle, but the Audi has more rear seat legroom while the Lexus has a bigger trunk. The A8's design was originally considered modern and bold, but it hasn't changed in years and looks conservative next to the Lexus.
Lexus LS 500 vs. BMW 7 Series
The BMW is bigger than the Lexus, and it has more interior and trunk volume. But it may require advanced training to operate its array of entertainment, connectivity and driver assist features. In general, the 7 Series comes off as a little sportier while the LS 500 is a bit more comfortable.
Lexus LS 500 vs. Genesis G90
The Genesis has a big price advantage. You can configure the G90 to match what an un-optioned LS 500 goes for, but the Genesis will come with a V8 and all-wheel drive. The Genesis also has great build quality, but the LS' interior is still a step above. To its advantage, the G90 comes with a better infotainment system and is easier to buy since it comes fully loaded out of the box.
2018 Lexus LS 500 for Sale
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See your car's valueHigh-end resorts make it their business to indulge their clients' whims at every turn. The 2018 Lexus LS 500 is a lot like that, except on wheels.
This full-size luxury sedan pairs supreme ride comfort with a handsome cabin awash in high-quality leather, genuine wood trim and acres of passenger room. For 2018, a comprehensive redesign inside, outside and underneath once again places the LS in the same rare air as recently updated large luxury sedan designs from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.
The cushioned ride and whisper-quiet interior are made to pamper, and cutting-edge technology increases driver safety. Overall, the LS 500 reminds you that you don't need to look exclusively to Europe for a world-class full-size luxury sedan.
The new fifth-generation Lexus LS 500 departs from its predecessor, the LS 460, with a bold new look that incorporates a coupelike profile. The evolved shape suggests a slimmer, more lithe luxury sedan, and there's even a modest amount of "sport" baked into the new LS' suspension design. We use that term loosely, though. This is still a big sedan better suited to arcing through turns than attacking them.
A new turbocharged V6 engine generates 416 horsepower and will make you forget all about the predecessor's lower-powered V8, especially when paired to the quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. These powertrain changes are enough to put the LS 500 over the 20 mpg mark, with an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined (19 city/29 highway) for rear-wheel-drive models. That's a discernible improvement over the last generation's rating of 19 mpg combined.
A longer wheelbase, longer even than the previous extended-length model, ensures an expansive cabin experience guaranteed to cosset weary passengers, especially when you spring for the seats with up to 28 separate adjustments.
A base model LS 500 comes with enough appointments to satisfy most buyers, but optional enhancements such as a lowered suspension to ease entry and exit, advanced driver safety aids, and an audiophile-grade sound system should satisfy those with a more discerning eye. An optional advanced safety system adds even more protective layers, with adaptive cruise control and steering assist that deliver a semiautonomous driving experience.
Key updates return the 2018 Lexus LS 500h to its rightful place among the world's elite luxury sedans. When it comes time to find your own world-class luxury, let Edmunds guide you to the perfect choice.
2018 Lexus LS 500 Overview
The 2018 Lexus LS 500 is offered in the following submodels: LS 500 Sedan. Available styles 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).
What do people think of the 2018 Lexus LS 500?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Lexus LS 500 and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 LS 500 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 LS 500.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Lexus LS 500 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 LS 500 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 Lexus LS 500?
2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
The 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $90,088. The average price paid for a new 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) is trending $6,000 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $6,000 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$84,088.
The average savings for the 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) is6.7% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
The 2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $85,753. The average price paid for a new 2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) is trending $10,444 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $10,444 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$75,309.
The average savings for the 2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) is12.2% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 9 2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
The 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $79,792. The average price paid for a new 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) is trending $10,394 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $10,394 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$69,398.
The average savings for the 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) is13% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 69 2018 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2018 Lexus LS 500s are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Lexus LS 500 for sale near. There are currently 127 new 2018 LS 500s listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $79,215 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Lexus LS 500. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $14,014 on a used or CPO 2018 LS 500 available from a dealership near you.
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Find a new Lexus LS 500 for sale - 7 great deals out of 15 listings starting at $7,703.
Find a new Lexus for sale - 8 great deals out of 20 listings starting at $9,773.
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Should I lease or buy a 2018 Lexus LS 500?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Lexus lease specials
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Related vehicle information
2018 Lexus LS 500 Information
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Build and Price TMV®
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Incentives & Rebates
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Consumer Discussions
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Consumer Reviews
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Features & Specs
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Pictures
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Review
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Dealer Price Quotes
- Used 2018 Lexus LS 500 For Sale Near Me
- 2018 Lexus LS 500 Ownership Costs