2021 Lexus LS 500 Review

Price Range: $50,999 - $53,590

2021 Lexus LS 500 Sedan Exterior. Luxury Package Shown.

The 2021 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

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

Written by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

2/5/2021

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Sumter, SC

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2021 Lexus LS 500
F SPORT Sedan
$50,999
- 68,101 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 18 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- Hendrick Lexus Charleston (76 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Charleston, SC
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (18 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHF51FF1M5015532
Stock: S01271B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-11-2025
Certified 2021 Lexus LS 500
Base Sedan
$61,738
- 14,785 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 18 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- Jim Hudson Lexus of Augusta (107 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Augusta, GA
Dynamic Navigation - Power Sunroof - Premium 12-Speaker Audio - Power Sunroof - Apple CarPlay & Android Auto - Power Rear Sunshade!20" Split 10-Spoke ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (18 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHD51FFXM5014998
Stock: L35451A
Certified Pre-Owned: Yes
Listed since: 08-18-2025

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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

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.7

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Lexus LS 500 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7/10

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.

Comfort

8/10

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.

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.

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.

Storage

8/10

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.

Fuel Economy

7/10

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

8/10

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.

Wildcard

8/10

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.

2021 Lexus LS 500 trim level differences

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:

Which LS 500 trim 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.

Compare 2021 Lexus LS 500 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in South Carolina

$196/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Large Car

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Lexus LS 500 Owner Reviews

4.0

44 reviews

5(52%)

4(23%)

3(9%)

2(7%)

1(9%)

See all 44 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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 …

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 …

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 …

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..

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.

See all 44 reviews of the Lexus LS 500

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2021 LS 500 Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$76,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$196/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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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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2021 Lexus LS 500 Review

Selling or Trading-In?

Price & Payment

2021 Lexus LS 500 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Sumter, SC

2021 Lexus LS 500F SPORT Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Certified 2021 Lexus LS 500Base Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Lexus LS 500 trim level differences

Which LS 500 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Lexus LS 500 Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Love mt 2018 LS500 AWD

Expected Smoother Ride

Dream Drive and Dependibility

Life ain’t a trial run.. go for it

2021 LS 500 Highlights

Safety

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2021 Lexus LS 500
F SPORT Sedan

Certified 2021 Lexus LS 500
Base Sedan