There stands a singular leader in the realm of luxury automobiles, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has established the standard. Yet, one challenger has compelled Mercedes to revisit its plans: the Lexus LS.
After thirty-seven years, 2026 signifies the last year for the Lexus LS. Nevertheless, the present Lexus LS no longer instills fear in its rivals and has gradually lost its direction. With only a limited quantity of 2026 models being manufactured in a single configuration, I managed to acquire one of the last 2025 units made.
My family has owned several LS models through the years, leading me to want to spend a week with the newest iteration to comprehend fully where Lexus erred and how a vehicle that once posed a challenge to Mercedes has now faded away.
The Essentials
The current LS represents the fifth generation of this nameplate. While it debuted in 2017 as a 2018 model, it received a subtle update in 2021 and another in 2023. Both revisions concentrated on modernizing the infotainment system and technology, but they merely addressed surface-level problems.
My father almost purchased a second-generation LS during the ‘90s, but he chose an Audi instead. Both my father and uncle owned 2006 Lexus LS 430s, which were later swapped for 2015 LS 460s. Those initial vehicles, the 430s, marked the conclusion of the third generation, while the 460s were the penultimate year of the fourth generation. The distinctions between these cars are exactly where we could start and finish this narrative.
The LS quickly became a favorite for many reasons, but foremost was its price, which was around half that of the Mercedes while being smooth enough to be deemed non-offensive, if not boring, with meticulous attention to detail from Lexus (Toyota). Buttons clicked solidly, knobs turned like they were lubricated, and the doors closed with a hush that isolated all exterior sound.
The interior was eerily quiet. The engine itself, all the way through the 430 with its 4.6-liter V8, exemplified smoothness and elegance. Recall the champagne flute test? Every iteration, up to the third-gen model, resembled advancements of the original. However, in 2006, contemporary Lexus styling started to unfold. We began a trajectory that led to the polarizing Predator visage, and the vehicles became increasingly oversized and radically different from the first three generations that solidified the icon. They grew larger, heavier, more unattractive, clumsier, and came with a dreadful infotainment system, albeit equipped with split-screen capabilities—a feature even contemporary Lexus vehicles with bigger touchscreens lack.
Where does this position the present fifth-generation model that is closing the chapter?
The current LS exudes elegance in a classic, handcrafted manner. However, the mid-cycle adjustments dulled features like the LED accents that extended from the headlights like beams of light; those have been removed. Small aerodynamic details can be found throughout, including around the taillights and side mirrors. These are subtle features. The chrome accents around the taillights, which seamlessly blend into them and taper as they extend around the fenders, appear precise. Yet, none of this, particularly the front design with the latest interpretation of the spindle grille, comes off as graceful. Buyers in this market aren’t inclined towards divisiveness, despite the brand’s push to win over a younger crowd.
Internally, I encounter a variety of problems. The door panels are true craftsmanship, made by Japanese artisans, featuring a layered design that unfolds like a flower. The buttons and knobs on the dashboard operate with a fluidity absent in the current S-Class, which notably lacks buttons and knobs in its predominantly touchscreen setup. The leather is plush, and the stitching is a testament to Japanese artistry. I admire the metallic accents that stretch across the dashboard. However, the experience begins to grow perplexing.
There are knobs on either side of the gauge cluster for drive modes and stability control inspired by the LFA. Why? The digital gauge cluster has been updated to resemble that of the first three generations of the LS, now featuring a digital tachometer and speedometer, which is a reversal from previous iterations that seemed influenced by the LFA. The touchscreen, which was finally adopted years ago, is mounted atop the dash, appearing as an afterthought. It’s a Toyota interface that lacks even a unique design skin.
The model I drove was an F Sport variant, and the center console was covered in glossy piano-black plastic. Which, unsurprisingly, was already marred with scratches. As an F Sport variant, the tested LS featured sports seats at the front with leather and suede inserts. Everything I’ve noted seems to contradict what the LS has historically represented.
The sloped windshield and A-pillars intrude on front-seat headspace, making entry into the LS more cumbersome than it should be. My children had no complaints in the rear seat, which is notable since they typically love to voice their grievances.
Experiencing the 2025 Lexus LS
The fifth-generation LS has replaced the iconic V8 with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 that delivers 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is standard on the F Sport edition.
Lexus may have aimed to replicate that classic commercial featuring the wine glasses on the hood to convey that the switch to a turbo-six hasn’t compromised refinement with this new generation, but I’m not convinced. Having been on road trips behind the wheel of the third and fourth generation automobiles, I’m here to assert that the newest version simply doesn’t measure up to expectations. The turbo-six isn’t as rough as that in the current Audi A8, but it falls far short of the smoothness found in the turbo inline-six of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7-Series. Certainly, it doesn’t come close to the V8s of previous years. The LS 430’s V8 was my favorite; the tuning of the larger 4.6-liter V8 in the LS 460 always felt restricted, as though a damp cloth was limiting its power.
The latest LS, particularly in F Sport guise, shows more control and confidence in its movements compared to the outgoing fourth-generation, but it constantly feels heavier than the third-gen model. The turbo-six engine groans and wheezes with a muffled rasp that fails to exude luxury. At its core, this engine shares its lineage with the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, although in the LS it sports a distinct cover with added insulation for noise dampening and different engine mounts for enhanced smoothness.
Without a doubt, this new generation LS has the poorest visibility in the history of its nameplate, with diminished glass openings throughout. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is that this nearly $100,000 flagship luxury automobile tested lacks a surround-view camera system.
Conclusion
At $81,685, including a $1,350 destination charge, and $94,990 as examined, the LS undercuts the most affordable S-Class by around $30,000. That’s a significant sum. For 2026, the final iteration is offered in a single configuration, priced at $99,280.
While Mercedes-Benz has continuously advanced, Lexus appears to have lost its way with the LS. The vehicle that once instilled apprehension in the class champion has become lost amidst mixed signals and an unattractive grille. Some design elements from the LFA here, some artistically crafted Japanese-inspired components there, and suddenly the flagship luxury sedan has morphed into a perplexed, disjointed entity.
I cherished the original Lexus LS for its authenticity. It was a class-defining luxury sedan that was dull, comfortable, dependable, and smooth. It maintained that essence for three generations. I adored my family’s 2006 LS 430s for what they encapsulated, not what they fell short of. They were 6.0-second sleeper luxury sedans that remained under the radar.
That’s not the LS of today, and now, it’s reaching its end. RIP.
Lexus provided The Drive with a seven-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.
| 2025 Lexus LS 500 AWD F Sport Specs | |
|---|---|
| Base Price (as tested) | $81,685 ($94,990) |
| Powertrain | 3.4-liter twin-turbo | 10-speed automatic | all-wheel drive |
| Horsepower | 416 |
| Torque | 442 lb-ft |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Curb Weight | 4,960 pounds |
| Cargo Volume | 16.95 cubic feet |
| Ground Clearance | 5.9 inches |
| 0-60 mph | 4.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 136 mph |
| PA Fuel Economy | 17 mpg city | 27 highway | 21 combined |
| Score | 7/10 |
Summary
The LS has lost its essence, and the vehicle once intimidating for Mercedes has now extinguished.