2020 Lexus LS 500 Review

　　

2020 Lexus LS 500 Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Two years after its comprehensive redesign the Lexus LS is still quite the head turner. But the futuristic look doesn't stop with the sculpted sheet metal. Inside, the LS pushes the luxury car boundaries with intricate wood inlays and even cut glass inserts. But don't let the futuristic look make you think this LS is anything other than a traditional Lexus: smooth, silent and exceedingly comfortable.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lexus LS 500 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$197/mo  for LS 500 Base

　　LS 500 Base

　　4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $75,450 MSRP4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $78,670 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $81,450 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $84,670 MSRPInspiration Series 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $97,665 MSRPInspiration Series 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $100,865 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　In addition to the myriad standard luxury features, the LS can be equipped with extras like a 24-inch head-up display, 28-way power adjustable front seats, a panoramic sunroof and even rear seats with 22-way adjustability with heating and ventilation. More traditional luxury car amenities, such as an excellent audio system, air suspension and all-wheel drive can also be added.

　　Lexus isn't the only manufacturer to take the luxury sedan seriously. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been the benchmark of the segment while BMW's legendary 7-Series offers a more modern bent and Porsche's Panamera has the performance bases covered. But while the Lexus LS doesn't offer the same power and performance options, it is unique and built to the same high quality standards.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the LS 500 drive? The turbocharged V6 has plenty of grunt. Our test LS 500 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, which is an average time compared to other large luxury sedans with a six-cylinder engine.

　　Braking is less impressive, mostly because the pedal lacks the feel we usually associate with stopping confidence. Shifts from the 10-speed automatic are incredibly smooth under full-throttle acceleration, but the transmission can be a bit slow to downshift when asking for passing power on the highway.

　　The steering is appropriately light for the leisurely nature of the LS, but you can dial in some extra steering weight by switching to one of two Sport drive modes. The LS is stable around turns, but this is primarily a luxury cruiser. The tires have relatively low grip and squeal noisily when you start pressing.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the LS 500? The optional adjustable air suspension produces a cushy ride on almost any road. Speed bumps are hardly noticeable. Road, wind and engine noise is virtually nonexistent.

　　Seat comfort is excellent, with the front seats offering a wide range of adjustments in addition to heating, ventilation and massage. The middle rear seat is mostly only for short trips, though, because it's pretty stiff and uncomfortable.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? While the LS' interior looks and feels top-notch, the score is dragged down significantly in this category because of the challenging user interface. Many vehicle settings are located in on-screen menus, and the infotainment controller is hard to use.

　　There's plenty of space for four passengers, with lots of headroom and legroom. The driving position is excellent thanks to a wide range of adjustability from the steering wheel and the driver's seat. The large doors make getting into the cabin easy, but getting out is a little tricky due to the wide doorsills.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but the standard Lexus Enform app suite isn't very intuitive. Connecting to your smartphone may take a few attempts. But once you're hooked up, using the native system on your phone is a breeze.

　　Lots of standard safety features are present. But the adaptive cruise control is slow to react to traffic and overly conservative with its following distances. The voice controls don't understand much in the way of natural language, but there's an easy-to-learn series of prompts. The optional Mark Levinson audio system provides excellent sound quality, though the volume output is a bit lower than we expected.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? At 17 cubic feet, the LS 500's trunk is one of the largest in the class. It accommodates plenty of luggage, though its trapezoid shape (it tapers inward near the rear seats) can be somewhat limiting. With bins under the armrests and cutouts in each door, there are plenty of places for small items inside.

　　For installing child safety seats, there are two easy-access anchors on each of the outboard seats. But reaching the upper tethers for car seats can be tricky since they're set far back on the rear deck and there's not much clearance between them and the roof.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The rear-wheel-drive LS 500 has an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined (19 city/30 highway). With all-wheel drive, that number drops to 21 mpg combined. These figures are about average for an executive sedan with a V6. Our all-wheel-drive tester achieved 21.9 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, indicating that EPA's estimate is realistic.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the LS 500 a good value? The Lexus LS offers many of the same decadent features as its German rivals but at a lower cost. Our test vehicle, loaded up with options, came to a total of $106,555. That's not a small number but you get a lot more for your money. The cabin is full of top-notch materials. Build quality is excellent. Our test car had no perceivable panel gaps or trim inconsistencies.

　　The LS 500 comes with Lexus' four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with complimentary roadside assistance for four years/unlimited miles.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　Thanks to its giant grille and daring cabin design, the LS easily differentiates itself from the competition. It's also powerful and smooth. But the car's mediocre handling limits your ability to really have any fun when driving.

　　

Which LS 500 does zzdcar recommend?

The Lexus LS comes in one fairly well-equipped trim level but various option packages can be added to suit your budget or luxury requirements. We consider the upgraded Mark Levinson audio system to be a must-have as well as the air suspension and the Safety System+ A for its stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and front cross-traffic alert.

　　

2020 Lexus LS 500 models

The 2020 Lexus LS is offered in only one trim but offers a bevy of stand-alone options as well as option packages that allow buyers a fair amount of customization. But only one engine and transmission combo is available with the LS 500, a twin-turbocharged V6 engine (416 horsepower, 442 lb-ft of torque) mated to a 10-speed automatic. The LS can be had with either rear- or all-wheel drive.

　　Standard feature highlights include 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, LED headlights, a sunroof, hands-free trunk operation, power-closing doors, leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade.

　　Technology features include a 12.3-inch central display, a navigation system, a trackpad-style interface, Apple CarPlay and a 12-speaker audio system. Finally, standard driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

　　Singular options include air suspension, adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, a powerful audio system, and a heated wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel. Option packages range from the Safety System+ A package, which includes driver aids such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, up through the Luxury and Executive packages that add upscale touches for both front and rear passengers as well as an assortment of interior trim materials and designs.

　　

2020 LS 500 Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTInspiration SeriesBase

　　

Base MSRP	$75,450
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$197/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles