Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Lexus LS 500 F Sport AWD
Specs
Class: Premium Giant Sedan
Nation of manufacture: Japan
Seating capability: 5
Colour: Silver Phantasm
Miles pushed: 131
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | A |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 149-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Kind | 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT-automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Noticed gasoline economic system: 19.9 mpg
Driving combine: 35% metropolis, 65% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 17/27/21 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Premium fuel
Base value: $86,925 (not together with $1350 (vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Mark Levinson-brand audio system ($2400), particular coloration ($3100), Panorama Glass Roof ($1000), illuminated door sills ($450), rear bumper applique ($95), trunk mat ($130)
Value as examined: $94,990
Audio-System Model
Mark Levinson
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Glorious
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Elegant, refined, excellent freeway poise
The great: Class-leading construct high quality, loads of energy
The not so good: Restricted passenger area for a car of this dimension
Evaluation
There’s nothing improper with the automotive—properly, perhaps a few issues—the issue is society. In some unspecified time in the future in time, luxury-vehicle consumers all over the world determined to desert the sedan in favor of crossovers.
Lexus LS Discontinued
It isn’t simply luxury-vehicle consumers which might be passing on buying sedans, however the impression of waning premium automotive gross sales is being felt acutely this yr—particularly within the large-sedan section.
Due to slowing gross sales, the LS, the Lexus model’s long-time flagship—and the automotive that launched and outlined the model—is being discontinued after 2026. For these of us who have been paying consideration on the shut of the Eighties, the LS is extra than simply one other Lexus mannequin, it’s the automotive that scared Mercedes-Benz straight.
Lexus Historical past
I’ve written a number of posts about how essential the Lexus LS was, and I invite you to test them out:
Of Rice Burners and Jap Crap: An Open Letter to Idiots
How Lexus Leavened the Value of Benzes
Giant Luxurious Sedan Gross sales Decline
However flagship sedans have given technique to flagship crossovers, and large luxurious automotive gross sales have cratered. Listed here are U.S.-market huge luxurious sedan gross sales totals for 2025:
- BMW 7-Collection: 11,393
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 5,006
- Genesis G90: 1687
- Audi A8: 1405
- Lexus LS: 1,082
For comparability, Lexus bought 57,346 of its new 3-row TX crossovers final yr, or about two and a half instances the mixed complete of all of the sedans listed above.
Lexus isn’t the one maker within the section dropping out. Audi has stopped taking orders for the A8, although the German luxurious carmaker guarantees the badge will return later within the decade.
Check Automotive
However sufficient gross sales and historical past, let’s discuss in regards to the LS in its present state. Shopper Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 LS—particulars above—however Lexus is making a particular farewell version obtainable in very restricted portions.
Lexus LS 500 Heritage Version
Simply 250 Heritage version LS 500s shall be constructed for the U.S. for 2026, all in Ninety Noir (black) and fitted with thin-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels. The one inside motif is purple and black, and a 23-speaker Mark Levenson audio system comes commonplace. Value: $99,280, together with vacation spot cost.
Engines
Energy comes completely from a twin-turbocharged 416-horsepower 3.4-liter V6 mated to a smooth-shifting 10-speed computerized transmission. A hybrid powertrain supplied by means of 2025 for the LS has been dropped for its closing yr.
Because the 2025 and 2026 LS fashions are in any other case the identical, we really feel comfy writing our final evaluate of the long-running Lexus sedan based mostly on our 2025 expertise.
Cabin
The LS cabin in black and white comes off as snappy and upscale. However what strikes this editor as most spectacular is the obvious consideration to element and high quality of supplies utilized in lining the automotive’s cabin. We admire the straightforward, sweeping traces, in addition to the old-school mechanical controls for steadily used features, particularly local weather.
Room and Consolation
What we don’t admire is the extensive middle console, which cuts into seat area, and appears an pointless design affectation. This extensive editor might have used a bit extra hip area, although we suspect most adults will match simply fantastic.
However herein possible lies the rationale monied consumers have steered away from the normal huge sedan: area. The LS, for all its goodness, isn’t actually all that roomy. Whereas there’s a good quantity of second-row seating area, the Lexus’ door openings are comparatively small, making for less-than-graceful entry and exiting. The model’s personal midsize ES sedan serves up extra space and simpler cabin entry than does the LS.
Experience and Dealing with
As soon as settled in, nevertheless, the LS shines in methods which might be consistent with its flagship position. The cabin is supremely quiet, each round city and on the freeway, with solely a fastidiously calculated quantity of engine noise enable to filter previous the sound deadening.
Experience high quality is great, although positively on the agency facet. Conventional European sedan followers will admire with journey/dealing with steadiness. A agency, managed journey has lengthy been a part of the LS custom, and it’s good to see the automotive hasn’t been compromised over time on this regard.
Freeway King
The place the LS really shines is on the open highway, on which the automotive’s energy, stability, and tranquility merge to create a real long-distance missile. The turbocharged V6 produces loads of merging energy, getting the large sedan on top of things with ease. At velocity, the LS settles in impressively, making fast work of city-to-city Interstate runs. The wonderful Mark Levinson sound system helps profit from that highway time.
Gas Financial system
We noticed 20 mpg over the course of our analysis. The LS is hardly thrifty, however given the ability and efficiency, we’re not complaining.
Worth, and Farewell
The LS was the automotive that launched the Lexus model. First seen in 1989, the unique LS emulated each attribute and have of the then vaunted Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and for a much more compelling value. We’re unhappy to see this legend being parked within the historical past lot, however we perceive that instances have charged. That mentioned, we’ve not too long ago frolicked with the model’s wonderful LX giant SUV, and really feel assured that many large-luxury sedan consumers will discover what they’re in search of in that huge Lexus—aside from perhaps model historical past.
Oh, and when you’re occupied with a Heritage Version, we advise shifting quick. We are able to’t discover might listed on the market. They could really be collectible.
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2025 Lexus LS 500 Photos
(Click on beneath for enlarged pictures)
