Back in 1989, Lexus launched their brand with a full-size sedan that shook up the market. The LS 400 was revolutionary in that it held its own against the segment’s top performers while costing a fraction of the price. Today, the LS nameplate doesn’t quite live up to that legacy.
Lexus found success by pushing boundaries and innovating, with things like their smooth suspension giving buyers a taste of something truly special. It feels like their flagship sedan has somewhat lost that magic, instead focusing on the selling point of being somewhat cheaper than its rivals.
We take a deep dive into the 2025 Lexus LS and look at how it stacks up against its competitors. We explore how much one costs and how this price compares to other full-size luxury sedans as well as looking at some of its highs and lows. We also postulate the future of the nameplate, with the state of the market making the comeback of the LS seem slightly unlikely.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and TopSpeed.
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The LS Aims for Value in a Segment Where That Doesn’t Make Sense
In just about every segment that Lexus competes in, their edge has always been that they are one of the most affordable options available. However, when you’re looking at the luxury full-size sedan segment, value isn’t really something that is swaying buyers in any meaningful way.
Trims and Pricing
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
LS500 |
$81,685 |
|
LS500 F Sport |
$85,825 |
|
LS500h |
$116,560 |
Credit where credit is due, the Lexus LS is the most affordable luxury full-size sedan on the market right now, and by a couple of thousand dollars too. However, when you’re looking to spend money around the six-figure range, value starts to be less important. Instead, people want the most luxurious and powerful option, of which the Lexus is neither.
Compared to the other options on the market, the LS is not the sportiest option, meaning that the F Sport package doesn’t really feel worth the additional spend. The hybrid model, while not a bad option, is also much more money, pushing it out of the ‘value’ category. This means that the base model is the best bang-for-your-buck, but you still need to toss an additional $15,000 on for the Luxury package to get the features you’d really want on a car like this.
Full-Size Rivals
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
Genesis G90 |
$89,700 |
|
Audi A8 |
$92,000 |
|
BMW 7-Series |
$97,300 |
|
Mercedes-Benz S-Class |
$117,750 |
The Lexus LS has always had some really tough competition, with some of the industry’s most impressive vehicles acting as its direct rivals. In this class of titans, the LS is one of the oldest models on offer, with its last redesign hitting the market in 2018. With modern technology dominating right now, this instantly puts it at a disadvantage.
As well as having to go up against legacy brands from Germany, Lexus has a new rival in the form of the Genesis G90. The Korean brand takes a similar stance to Lexus, aiming to be a cheaper alternative, but at the same time it pushes the boundaries and comes loaded with features that put it on par with the Germans rather than being a step below.
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The LS Is Good, Its Rivals Are Just Better
Close up of the grille of a 2025 Lexus LS500
We’re not out to say that the LS is a bad car, because that simply isn’t true. It has a lot of good going for it, with excellent styling, a super-comfortable interior, and a smooth powertrain. The problem is that its competition nails those briefs better than the Lexus, making it hard to suggest the LS over something else.
A Plush Interior
The LS does a pretty good job of hitting some of the most important points when it comes to a luxury interior. High-quality materials line every surface, with silky-smooth leather coating the dashboard. The seats are also absurdly comfortable and mold your body, affording you top-tier levels of comfort.
However, it isn’t as focused or as modern as other options on the market. The Mercedes S-Class is more outright luxurious and is wrapped in a classier package, while the BMW 7-Series is loaded with tech that makes the Lexus look old-fashioned. Genesis offers the most direct competition to the LS in the form of the G90, which comes packed with more features and treats second-row occupants to a much more luxurious experience.
Smooth Performance
|
Engine |
3.4-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V-6 |
3.5-Liter Hybrid V-6 |
|---|---|---|
|
Transmission |
10-Speed Automatic |
4-Speed CVT |
|
Horsepower |
416 HP |
354 HP |
|
Torque |
442 LB-FT |
257 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
RWD or AWD |
AWD |
|
0-60 MPH |
5 Seconds |
5.6 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
140 MPH |
141 MPH |
If acceleration is what you’re after, then the LS won’t disappoint. It may not claim records, but whether you opt for the twin-turbo V-6 or the hybrid model, you’ll find that it is plenty quick off the line for its size. Power delivery is smooth, and the sedan remains quiet and composed even when you put your foot down.
While the LS delivers performance that isn’t outright disappointing, the ceiling for speed in this class is quite high. Many of the other options on offer have range-topping V-8 models that are capable of breaking into the three-second range. They also manage to do so with the same poise as the Lexus.
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Lexus’ LS Doesn’t Live Up to Its Sporty Exterior Styling
Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Lexus LS500 F Sport
The LS500 has some brilliant curb appeal. It is one of its biggest strengths. It is sleek and sexy, and if you knew nothing about it you would assume that it could take any other full-size sedan on the track. However, it always prioritizes comfort over performance, ultimately leaving you a little disappointed.
Uninspiring Handling
The LS, especially when in F Sport guise, looks poised to tear up some corners. However, its handling is much less engaging than you would assume. Steering feels numb for a car that seems to pose as a sports sedan and it isn’t nearly as sharp as some of the other options on the market.
There are two performance-oriented driving modes, Sport and Sport+. While you can certainly feel the suspension firm up a bit when you put it into Sport mode, the difference when moving to Sport+ is nearly imperceptible. Even in its most firm setting, the LS offers a comfortable ride, never really pushing excitement in any meaningful way.
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Where Once It Stood Out, the LS Now Blends Into the Background
Side profile of a 2025 Lexus LS500
Lexus built their name by disrupting the luxury market. They developed cars like the LS to compete against the most luxurious cars on the market at a fraction of the price. The gap in pricing has unfortunately closed over the years, though, and it seems that Lexus has stopped trying to match segment leaders at all.
Will the Next Gen LS Do Better?
Lexus launched the LS all the way back in 1989, slingshotting the brand into the market with a bang. At that time, it was hard to justify some other full-size luxury sedans because the LS was that good and that much more affordable. Now, it is hard to suggest the LS because its competitors are simply better in all the ways that matter.
With the current LS getting a little long in the tooth, we wonder whether the brand will really bring the thunder with the next generation of the full-size sedan. The segment is already somewhat niche, and with the market turning towards SUVs and away from conventional sedans, its hard to imagine a world where Lexus invests the necessary resources. We still hold out hope, though, that the LS can return to its glory days.
