2018 Lexus LS 500h
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 some advantage to some German rivals
- Accelerates quick for its size, but pedal response feels slow, numb
- Touchpad-based infotainment is clever but distracting on the road
- Lacks plug-in charging capacity, unlike several rivals
2018 Lexus LS 500h pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which LS 500h does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
The sharp edges and bold style of the 2018 Lexus LS 500h hybrid obscure the quintessential Lexus qualities throughout: a pillowy and cushioned ride, a whisper-quiet interior and world-class build quality. 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. Today's LS 500h goes a step further with cutting-edge tech and driver safety, and it reminds you that Europe doesn't have a lock on world-class luxury.
The new Lexus LS 500h is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, the LS 600h L, 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 replaces the outgoing model's V8, and it pairs with dual electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. A two-stage continuously variable automatic transmission adds a four-speed gear set to effectively mimic a 10-speed automatic transmission. The net effect is less power than the last LS hybrid but improved fuel economy. It's now up to 28 mpg combined compared to the LS 600h L's 20 mpg combined rating.
Its combined rating is also 5 mpg better than the non-hybrid LS 500's. But at an additional cost of around $4,500, you'll need to consider whether the LS 500h's fuel savings will pay off in the long run. Regardless, the new LS hybrid achieves fuel economy similar to its competitors, even those that use plug-in hybrid charging. (The Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550e, for example, returns 26 mpg combined after depleting its 12 miles of electric range.)
One thing you won't need to consider is the LS 500h's long-term comfort. The new sedan's longer wheelbase, longer even than that of the previous 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 level LS 500h 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 500h 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 option packages. Even without a single option, the LS 500h comes loaded with the safety and comfort features you'd expect of this class.
Standard equipment on the LS 500h is extensive and begins with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 horsepower) connected to a pair of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. Total system horsepower is 354 hp, with power distributed through a continuously automatic variable 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 leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating, 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 500h 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's 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.
The Executive package truly transforms the LS 500h 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
There are no consumer reviews for the 2018 Lexus LS 500h.
2018 Lexus LS 500h videos
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite LS 500h 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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2018 Lexus LS 500h 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 500h is a lot like that, except on wheels.
This full-size luxury hybrid 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 large luxury hybrid sedan designs from BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz.
The cushioned ride and whisper-quiet interior are made to pamper, and cutting-edge technology increases driver safety. Overall, the LS 500h 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 500h departs from its predecessor, the LS 600h L, with a longer, wider body that sits lower to the ground. Its coupelike profile also makes it look slimmer and more lithe — no small feat for a car that weighs more than 5,000 pounds. There's even an additional amount of "sport" baked into the new LS' suspension design, although we use that term loosely. This is still a luxury sedan better suited to arcing through turns than attacking them.
A new turbocharged V6 engine replaces the older model's V8. Dual electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack add hybrid capability, while the continuously variable automatic transmission mimics a 10-speed automatic. With its hybrid configuration, the LS 500h gets 28 mpg combined (25 city/33 highway), which represents a significant leap from its predecessor's 20 mpg combined rating.
Not surprisingly, the LS hybrid achieves better fuel economy than the standard LS 500, but not as much as you might think. The LS 500h returns 5 mpg better than the non-hybrid, but at an additional cost of around $4,500. Most buyers will need to drive a lot of miles or hold on to the car for a long spell before achieving real fuel savings.
In any case, the new LS hybrid's fuel economy is similar to that of its competitors, even those that use plug-in hybrid charging. (The Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550e, for example, returns 26 mpg combined after depleting its 12 miles of electric range.)
One thing buyers won't need to consider is the LS 500h's long-term comfort. 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 500h comes with enough appointments to satisfy most buyers, but optional enhancements such as a lowering 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 500h Overview
The 2018 Lexus LS 500h is offered in the following submodels: LS 500h Sedan. Available styles include 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT), and 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT).
What do people think of the 2018 Lexus LS 500h?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Lexus LS 500h and all its trim types. 0 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 500h.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Lexus LS 500h and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 LS 500h 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 500h?
2018 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)
The 2018 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $83,975. The average price paid for a new 2018 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) is trending $9,086 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $9,086 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$74,889.
The average savings for the 2018 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) is10.8% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 4 2018 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2018 Lexus LS 500hs 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 500h for sale near. There are currently 6 new 2018 LS 500hs listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $83,949 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 500h. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $12,098 on a used or CPO 2018 LS 500h available from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2018 Lexus LS 500hs you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Lexus LS 500h for sale - 3 great deals out of 7 listings starting at $9,439.
Find a new Lexus for sale - 5 great deals out of 7 listings starting at $24,392.
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Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2018 Lexus LS 500h?
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.
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2018 Lexus LS 500h Information
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