2021 Lexus LS 500 Road Test and Review

These days, the luxury market is all about SUVs. But flagship luxury sedans still have their place, appealing to buyers looking for extreme levels of comfort, prestige, power, and performance. Updated significantly for the 2021 model year, the Lexus LS has evolved into one of the best sedans in its class. A rival for the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Audi A8, it’s more refined and more comfortable than ever.

The LS remains the brand’s largest and most luxurious sedan, and it packs as much performance as many of its German rivals. Though known for its luxury, the full-size four-door has evolved over the last few years. It’s still exceedingly comfortable, but now it’s also sexier and more fun to drive than it ever has been.

Since its complete redesign back in 2018, the sixth-generation LS has been priced aggressively. With a base price of $77,025, including a $1,025 delivery fee, the 2021 Lexus LS 500 is significantly less expensive than its German rivals.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, and Lexus offers all-wheel drive for $3,250. It’s a popular option. Buyers looking for a sportier look and more responsive handling should choose the F Sport model, which costs an additional $3,600. It adds unique exterior trim, larger wheels, a retuned suspension, and larger brakes. Inside it gets a sportier gauge cluster and unique aluminum trim and upholstery. There’s also an available Dynamic Handling Package on the F Sport that adds a Variable Gear Ratio Steering system, Active Rear Steering, and an Active Stabilizer to further improve the sedan’s response. Lexus will also continue to offer the hybrid-powered LS 500h, which will likely start around $81,000.

Aside from the usual standard luxuries like the sedan’s massive 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 12-speaker sound system, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled power-adjustable front seats, real wood interior trim, dual-zone climate controls, and sunroof, the 2021 Lexus LS also comes with Drive Mode Select. The system allows the driver to choose among six driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Custom, Normal, Sport, and Sport+. Each setting adjusts the suspension, retunes its throttle response, adjusts the performance of its transmission, and changes the color of its gauge cluster.

Our rear-wheel-drive test vehicle was loaded up with options, including a long list of additional safety systems, a $12,710 Luxury Package, a spectacular 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and a panoramic glass roof, which drove its price up to $98,080.

It’s impossible not to be impressed by the serenity of the LS’s cabin. This year, Lexus has made some modifications to its active-noise-cancellation system, and the Lexus LS is extremely quiet inside. Our 2021 Lexus LS 500 test vehicle kept us well isolated from the outside world as its adjustable air suspension perfectly soaked up potholes and other road irregularities, even in Sport and Sport+ Modes. This Lexus does not float down the road. Body control is excellent. And it leans little in hard corners.

Overall, the LS strikes a near-perfect balance of luxury, comfort, and performance. It feels solid and substantial, but never heavy, unresponsive, or lazy. Its steering is precise and offers just enough feedback. It isn’t exactly a sports sedan, but it is sporty, especially in Sport and Sport+ Modes, and its handling ability and big power will impress most drivers.

As it has been since 2018, the Lexus LS 500 is powered by the brand’s smooth and refined twin-turbo V6 engine and slick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. Although the engine isn’t as powerful as the 5.0-liter V8 used in the Lexus LC 500 coupe, it's more refined and it’s far more fuel-efficient. The smooth hybrid powertrain in the LS 500h pairs a 3.5-liter V6 with two electric motors to make 354 horsepower.

With 3.5 liters, 416 horsepower, and 442 lb-ft of torque, the LS 500 has the largest and most powerful base engine in its class. It’s packing 54 more horsepower than the Mercedes S 450 and 81 more horsepower than the Audi A8 and the BMW 740i. That power makes it one of the quickest cars in segment, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds. That’s big-time quick. Push its pedal to the floor and the Lexus will make you smile.

Assembled in Japan, the LS 500 is built with impeccable quality. Inside and out, its fit and finish is among the best. If there’s a more precisely built car in the world, we’re unaware of it. Paint quality is exceptional, and the sedan’s cabin features only the best materials. It feels upscale in every way but there’s nothing traditional about the design.

The vehicle’s exterior is long, low, and wide with a hunkered-down stance, radical curves, and the most imposing grille in the biz. Inside, there’s supercar-like instrumentation, paddle shifters, and redesigned seats, which will fit you like a glove. The dash wraps beautifully into the doors to give the cabin a cockpit feel, and there’s intricate contrasting stitching on the seats, door panels, and dash. Visibility is excellent, there’s a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and massaging front seats are available.

For years we’ve been complaining about the interface of the LS’s infotainment system. Its Remote Touchpad was frustrating to use and distracting for the driver. Back in 2018 we wrote, “Lexus should just swallow its pride and switch the system to a large knob, an interface used by BMW, Mercedes, and Audi — or, better yet, a touchscreen.”

Lexus heard us loud and clear. This year the LS 500 gets a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. It’s a huge improvement. The system is now so much easier to use. Graphics are beautiful, and the system includes standard navigation, onboard Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Also, the controls for the seat heaters and steering wheel heater are no longer buried deep within the system, which was another point of frustration. Lexus has finally added simple buttons to the sedan’s center console.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-tested a current Lexus LS, so its performance in an accident is unproven. This is common for this class; NHTSA and the IIHS haven’t tested the Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, or BMW 7 Series either.

Like most Lexus models, the LS comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite of safety systems, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. More driver aids are available by adding the $3,000 Safety System+ package, which includes all-speed adaptive cruise control and Active Steering Assist, one of the smoothest and most precise semiautonomous systems we’ve tried.

With 17 cubic feet of space, the 2021 Lexus LS 500 has a larger trunk than the Audi A8 and the Mercedes-Benz S Class. The BMW 7 Series leads the class with 18.2 cubic feet for cargo. Unfortunately, the LS does not have a folding rear seat to expand that space. A power decklid is standard.

If cargo volume is a high priority and you’re avoiding SUV ownership, we recommend the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7, or Mercedes-AMG GT, which are hatchbacks. Another option is a luxury wagon, like the Mercedes E-Class wagon or the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. Don’t laugh. Wagons are cool again. Both have all-wheel drive and are available with very powerful engines.

Overall, this is the best Lexus LS ever. It improves upon the sedan’s legendary comfort, features, and luxury, but remains engaging to drive. Its twin-turbo V6 is extremely smooth and powerful, and even enthusiast drivers will enjoy its dynamics. Plus, Lexus offers a Luxury package with heated and cooled rear seats, four-zone automatic climate control, and a rear center console with touchscreen controls for climate, audio, and seat functions. Your kids will be very happy.

More importantly, the LS is an exceptional value compared to its pricier rivals from Germany. Lexus even includes complimentary maintenance for one year or 10,000 miles. If you’re looking for a full-size luxury sedan, the 2021 Lexus LS 500 is a desirable overall choice.