Lexus LS 500
The Lexus LS 500 is a full-size luxury sedan, and the brand’s flagship model has reached the end of its run. To commemorate its final year of production, Lexus is offering the LS 500 in a single exclusive trim: the AWD Heritage Edition. Only 250 of these final models will be offered in the U.S., and all will arrive with Ninety Noir paint and a lavish interior trimmed in Rioja Red. With no factory options available, all 2026 LS 500s will have intricate 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, and Laser Special Black premium wood trim. A Mark Levinson 23-speaker 2,400-watt Reference Sound System provides the entertainment.
Explore the evolution of the Lexus LS 500
Get our expert take on used Lexus LS 500 models, or view year-by-year changes.
Fifth generation Lexus LS 500
The LS has been the flagship of the Lexus lineup since day one, leading the luxury brand for more than 30 years. In 2018, Lexus launched the LS 500, replacing the previous-generation LS 460. The new model not only brought a fresh look to the brand, but it was also built on an all-new rear-wheel-drive platform designed to deliver a more dynamic driving experience. The LS 500 boasted a longer wheelbase for more interior space, plus an extensive standard equipment list and a lavish cabin replete with the finest materials. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display was standard, but Apple CarPlay® wasn’t available until 2019, with Android Auto™ following in 2021.
For the first time since it arrived, the LS no longer had a V8 under the hood. Instead, it had a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that represented a significant power boost over the outgoing V8. Lexus also offered a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid in the LS 500h, with an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on the highway.
Both variants came standard with rear-wheel drive, offering available all-wheel drive. The available LS 500 F Sport added sportier styling inside and out, along with a sport-tuned suspension and performance brakes.Model highlights
Powerful V6 replaces V8
Available hybrid powertrain
Limited edition for the final year of production
Teammate hands-free driving technology (added in 2022)
All-wheel drive standard on LS 500h (added in 2022)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2018 - 2026
2026 Lexus LS 500
Highlights
Single Heritage Edition trim offered in limited numbers
Final year of production
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2025 Lexus LS 500
2024 Lexus LS 500
Highlights
Wireless smartphone charging became standard
Larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Head-up display became standard
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2023 Lexus LS 500
Highlights
Upgraded infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
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2022 Lexus LS 500
2021 Lexus LS 500
Highlights
Android Auto™ added
New 12.3-inch touchscreen display
Updated styling inside and out
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2020 Lexus LS 500
2019 Lexus LS 500
2018 Lexus LS 500
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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