2022 Lexus LS 500h
MSRP Range: $112,000 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
2022 Lexus LS 500h Review
byChristian Wardlaw
Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.
Pros
- Nearly silent cabin regardless of vehicle speed or road surface
- Supple, smooth, isolating ride quality
- Dazzling interior design with beautiful materials
- Only Lexus to offer Teammate hands-free driving system
Cons
- Not the large luxury sedan to buy for driving engagement
- Is more expensive than it looks, rather than the other way around
What's new
- Every LS 500h now has standard all-wheel drive
- Safety tech adds improved camera and radar units, new features
- Lexus Teammate hands-free driving system is standard
- Part of the fifth LS generation introduced for 2018
Overview
What a difference three decades can make. In the early 1990s, the Lexus LS was all anyone could talk about. Now, in the early 2020s, people may not even realize the car still exists. It certainly isn't for lack of style, quality or technology because the 2022 Lexus LS 500h possesses all three. Plus, it has a standard hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive, blending fuel efficiency with quick acceleration and added traction on slippery roads. So why is this car as rare as a rainstorm in Los Angeles?
Your guess is as good as ours, especially since the LS 500h is the only six-figure luxury sedan from Asia. Undoubtedly, the consumer shift to SUVs has something to do with it, not to mention how moneyed car buyers increasingly choose electric models like the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S. However, it must also be said that if you're dropping this kind of coin on a luxury car, you want a statement vehicle. Maybe the Lexus LS speaks too softly.
Adding the automaker's Lexus Teammate system as standard equipment for 2022 might help. Think Cadillac Super Cruise, Lincoln ActiveGlide and Tesla Autopilot, but in a Lexus. On specific approved highways, Lexus Teammate can take full control of the LS 500h, allowing drivers to release their hands from the steering wheel. However, this system still requires an attentive driver, and it won't work if you're not looking ahead and prepared to retake control of the vehicle at any time.
In addition to competitive technology like Teammate, what the Lexus LS 500h needs (desperately) is something to excite a driver, even though the latest LS is the most dynamic example of the car in the nameplate's history. When the competition primarily includes the likes of the Audi A8/S8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a greater degree of engagement is required in a flagship luxury car.
Which LS 500h does Edmunds recommend?
This Lexus comes one way, and that's as the fully loaded LS 500h AWD. You can upgrade the car with extra-cost paint, a different wheel design and special metal interior trim. Otherwise, Lexus includes everything as standard equipment.
Lexus LS 500h models
The 2022 Lexus LS 500h is available in a single trim level that's powered by a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine enhanced with two electric motors. Combined output is 354 horsepower. A unique transmission marries a traditional four-speed automatic to a continuously variable automatic, creating a single unit. Lexus discontinued the rear-wheel-drive version of the LS 500h this year, making all-wheel drive standard, and the LS 500h earns an EPA estimate of 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Every LS 500h includes a long and comprehensive list of standard features. The highlights include:
Save as much as $8,813 with Edmunds Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.
2022 Lexus LS 500h pricing
in Ashburn, VAEdmunds suggests you pay
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Compare the Lexus LS 500h
Lexus LS 500h vs. Audi A8
Where the LS 500h is a full hybrid, the Audi A8 has a mild hybrid drivetrain that's not quite as powerful or fuel-efficient as what you'll find in the Lexus. However, the trade-off might be worth it because the Audi is more than $25,000 less than the Lexus. Load the A8 up with extras, and the car remains a bargain. And since A8s are just as rare on the road as the LS, it should prove just as exclusive to drive.
Lexus LS 500h vs. Lexus LS 500
A Lexus LS 500 isn't as thrifty with a gallon of gas as the LS 500h, but it is more powerful and costs substantially less money. You can also get the LS 500 in performance-oriented F Sport trim, and Lexus offers more customization options because it isn't equipped with everything as standard. If you're serious about getting a new Lexus LS, the LS 500 is the one to consider.
Lexus LS 500h vs. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Due to its powertrain technology and fully loaded status, the Lexus LS 500h costs Mercedes-Benz S-Class money. The difference, however, is that you can't add much to the LS 500h, while it's easy to inflate the price tag of the S-Class by tens of thousands of dollars. That makes the Lexus a bargain by comparison, but there is no doubt that people shopping in this segment covet the excellent Benz.
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FAQ
Is the Lexus LS 500h a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 LS 500h both on the road and at the track. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the LS 500h has 15.2 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 500h. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Lexus LS 500h?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Lexus LS 500h:
- Every LS 500h now has standard all-wheel drive
- Safety tech adds improved camera and radar units, new features
- Lexus Teammate hands-free driving system is standard
- Part of the fifth LS generation introduced for 2018
Is the Lexus LS 500h reliable?
To determine whether the Lexus LS 500h is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the LS 500h. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the LS 500h's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Lexus LS 500h a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Lexus LS 500h is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 LS 500h is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Lexus LS 500h?
The least-expensive 2022 Lexus LS 500h is the 2022 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $112,000.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $112,000
What are the different models of Lexus LS 500h?
If you're interested in the Lexus LS 500h, the next question is, which LS 500h model is right for you? LS 500h variants include 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT). For a full list of LS 500h models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more