2021 Lexus LS 500 Review

　　

2021 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 When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Since its introduction for 1990, the Lexus LS has been the brand's luxury flagship sedan. It's gone through a few generations since, with the latest coming out for the 2018 model year. As always, Lexus has prioritized giving you high levels of comfort and a luxuriously detailed interior. For 2021, the LS has an even smoother ride and slightly improved fuel efficiency.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

　　$206/mo  for LS 500 Base

　　LS 500 Base

　　4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $76,000 MSRP4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $79,250 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $79,600 MSRPF SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $82,850 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　These updates are welcome. However, rival sedans such as the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class offer similar levels of refinement and technology plus a wider array of optional engines. Another sedan to consider is the Genesis G90; it offers similar refinement and features as the LS but for slightly less money. How does the updated 2021 Lexus LS 500 stack up? Read our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth take of its key advantages and weaknesses.

　　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.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the LS 500 drive? You expect luxury sedans of this ilk to have decent power, and the LS' turbocharged V6 delivers. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 5.7 seconds. That's an average time for a six-cylinder large luxury sedan. The 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly under hard acceleration but can be a bit slow to downshift if you suddenly go for a pass on the highway.

　　Braking is smooth and easy during casual cruising but doesn't quite offer the stopping confidence of competitors when slowing from higher speeds. The steering is appropriately light for a luxury sedan. You can dial in some extra heft by switching to a sportier drive mode. The latest LS has decent composure around turns, but it's still primarily a luxury cruiser.

　　

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. Only on severely broken pavement can the ride feel a little choppy. Large pavement dips can cause noticeable body movement. 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 pretty stiff and uncomfortable, though suitable for short trips.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The interior looks and feels top-notch. Alas, the LS' challenging user interface limits our score. The addition of a 12.3-inch touchscreen for 2021 is a big improvement for the LS 500 but many vehicle settings are still buried in complicated menus. An easier-to-use button layout would help greatly.

　　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 in the steering wheel and driver's seat. The large doors make getting into the cabin easy, but the wide doorsills make getting out a little tricky.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The standard Lexus Enform app suite isn't very intuitive. Fortunately, Lexus also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. The optional 23-speaker Mark Levinson stereo provides excellent sound quality, even if its "crank it up!" power is a bit lacking. The LS has a voice command system but it doesn't recognize much in the way of natural language. Instead you'll have to use the system's series of prompts.

　　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 forward collision mitigation system is by far the most sensitive of the LS' systems. You might find it overly so. Our test car applied the brakes in an aggressive fashion on one occasion even though there was no object ahead.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? 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, it has 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

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The rear-wheel-drive LS 500 has an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined (18 city/29 highway). With all-wheel drive, that number drops to 21 mpg combined (17/27). 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. The price of our test vehicle, with a considerable number of options, was just shy of $100,000. In general, you get a lot for your money. The cabin is full of top-notch materials and 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 six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with complimentary roadside assistance for four years/unlimited miles. This warranty coverage is about par for the course.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The LS' gaping maw up front is of questionable taste. But once you get inside it's hard not to be awestruck. Interior design and materials selection are exceptional. It also feels the part when you park it at upscale shopping or dining locations. Is it fun to drive? Ehh, no. This is a sedan meant to be enjoyed as a smooth and luxurious cruiser.

　　

Which LS 500 does zzdcar recommend?

While there may only be one trim of the Lexus LS, there are plenty of options available on their own or in packages. Look to get an LS 500 with the Mark Levinson audio system, the panoramic sunroof, the adaptive air suspension and the Safety System+ A package.

　　

2021 Lexus LS 500 models

The 2021 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. Only one powertrain is available: a 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:

　　LS 500

　　Comes well equipped with:

　　LED exterior lighting 19-inch wheels Hands-free power trunk Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut) Sunroof Leather upholstery Power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation Power rear sunshade 12.3-inch touchscreen Navigation system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Proximity key with push-button ignition 12-speaker audio systemLexus' standard advanced driver aids, known as Safety System+ 2.0, include:

　　Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Lane keeping assist (steers the LS 500 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front, even down to a stop, and can also react to traffic signs and set speed) Blindspot monitoringLexus offers several option packages that add luxury and extra performance for the LS 500. Major ones to look for include:

　　Lexus Safety System+ A package

　　Contains additional driver assistance, such as:

　　Enhanced adaptive cruise control with lane change assist (uses additional sensors to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and can change lanes automatically when the turn signals are activated) Front cross-traffic alert (warns if a vehicle in front of you is about to cross your path while you're pulling into traffic) Enhanced automatic emergency braking (adds active steering assist to help swerve around obstacles)F Sport package

　　Bolsters style and performance with:

　　Unique exterior trim 20-inch wheels High-performance brakes Sport-tuned adaptive suspension Special instrument panel design Perforated leather interior Simulated suede headliner Upgraded sport front seats Aluminum interior trimDynamic Handling package

　　Available only with rear-wheel drive and the F Sport package, this adds:

　　Variable-ratio steering and four-wheel steering (can enhance the car's nimbleness in turns or when parking) Active stabilizer bars (minimize body lean during hard cornering)Interior Upgrade package

　　Upgraded leather upholstery with quilted stitching Upgraded driver's seat with massage functions Simulated suede headliner Wood trim Heated rear seatsLuxury package

　　Contents of the Interior Upgrade package Upgraded front passenger's seat with massage functions Four-zone climate control Power-adjustable outboard rear seats Power side window sunshades 7-inch touchscreen controller for rear seat passengersExecutive package

　　Contents of the Luxury package Upgraded outboard rear seats with massage functions Right rear passenger seat recliner with footrestStand-alone options for the LS 500 include an air suspension (it can adjust the vehicle's ride height), adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, intricate interior wood trim, a 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, a head-up display and a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel.

　　

2021 LS 500 Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTBase

　　

Base MSRP	$76,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$206/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles