2024 Lexus LS Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The 2024 Lexus LS is the automaker's flagship luxury sedan and largest non-SUV offering. Launched stateside in 1990 as a Mercedes Benz S-class competitor with a more attractive price, the LS helped the emerging Lexus brand achieve near-instant recognition and success. The current, fifth-generation 2024 LS strives to deliver the same levels of luxury and performance that put it in the spotlight, but it lacks the cohesiveness and laser-focused execution that made previous versions so remarkable. Previous generations wore a statelier look than the more contemporary-styled one you see here, and the current car's interior is still loaded with quality materials, but it doesn't quite live up to the standard set by rivals. A 416-horsepower turbocharged V-6 returns smooth acceleration but lacks any real visceral appeal; a hybrid powertrain is available too. The ride is smooth and the cabin whisper quiet, but uninspiring handling and the lack of an available eight-cylinder engine make the LS500 a bit of an outlier in a class where longtime rivals such as the S-class and the BMW 7-series still offer V-8 power and more balanced chassis dynamics. Though not offensive in any measure, the Lexus feels like its maker simply misjudged what’s needed to compete at the top of this expensive segment.

What's New for 2024?

Wireless phone charging is now standard across the LS lineup for 2024. Additionally, the LS receives a larger 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a head-up display, and digital key functionality. Cosmetically, a new Silver Illusion paint option joins the palette, and five new wheel designs are available.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Despite only minor changes, the base LS500 sees an increase of $3300 for 2024. Still, it’s the best value play of the bunch, as even fully kitted the F Sport models are typically outshined by European options. The Luxury package is a not-so-guilty pleasure we’d spring for; at nearly $15,000, it brings the feature content in line with the best of its competitors. It includes heated-and-cooled front and rear seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery; 28-way power-adjustable front seats with massage; rear buckets; a rear center console with touchscreen controls for climate, audio, and seat functions; four-zone automatic climate control; and power sunshades in the back. For 2024 it also includes a wood and leather-trimmed heated steering wheel. Though the LS500h hybrid includes Lexus’ Teammate hands-free driving package as standard, its elevated price and limited fuel efficiency gains diminish its value.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Lexus LS500 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 rated for 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional; a 10-speed automatic transmission is standard. The setup is tuned for smooth operation and silent running except under heavy throttle when it exhales with a bit more gusto. As a luxury yacht, it’s hard to fault, but V-8-powered variants of the BMW 7-series and the Mercedes-Benz S-class lean a bit harder into the sporting paradigm and have proven to be quicker at the test track. The LS500h hybrid version utilizes a non-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and two electric motors to make a combined 354 horsepower. (The rear motor provides all-wheel drive functionality.) The hybrid lacks the finesse of many competitors, and the transmission—a mashup of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a regular four-speed automatic—moves through preset gear ratios with all the crispness of a soggy cornflake. Given the incremental fuel economy gains over the base model and its significantly higher price of entry, we can’t recommend it.

0–60-MPH Times

The 2024 LS500h hybrid model got to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds in our testing. The more powerful nonhybrid 2022 LS500 sprinted to 60 mph in a slightly quicker 5.4 seconds, but is still on the slower end of its segment.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The base LS500 receives EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 29 mpg highway and the AWD version checks in at 17 and 27 mpg, respectively. The LS500h hybrid’s 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway ratings are better but are offset by its significantly higher price. In our real-world testing, an all-wheel-drive LS500h managed a 31-mpg result on our 200-mile highway fuel economy test. An all-wheel-drive nonhybrid model managed 29 mpg. For more information about the LS's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Of all the reasons to own a full-size luxury sedan, comfort is surely near the top of the list, and the LS does its best to fulfill that mandate. The seats are comfortable and accommodating, quality materials abound, the leather is buttery soft, and wood, glass, and fabric options are plentiful. But the overall interior design and control placement can feel a bit random, lacking the cohesive and satisfying tactile feel of competitors. The trunk, however, is generously sized and can hold six carry-on suitcases, but the rear seatbacks are fixed, so bulky cargo items may not easily fit in the LS. Both the Audi A8 and the Genesis G90 accommodated the same amount of luggage.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A 12.3-inch touchscreen with a centrally positioned power/volume knob serves as an easy access point for infotainment functions, and standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, Amazon Alexa, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system also recognizes some voice commands. Thankfully, Lexus has utilized the console space where the finicky touchpad formerly resided for seat heat and ventilation controls; previously, they were buried in the touchscreen interface.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

All 2024 LS500 models come standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of driver-assistance features, while the LS500h version uses the 2.5 version with Lexus's Teammate system which provides some limited hands-free operation. A more advanced hands-free driving-mode feature is an option. For more information about the LS's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Lexus offers longer powertrain coverage than BMW or Mercedes but doesn't match up to Genesis's plan of 100,000-mile coverage. At least the first maintenance visit is provided free of charge.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
• Hybrid component warranty covers ten years or 150,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles

More Features and Specs