Though Lexus is a division of Toyota, it is achieved a hell of a job creating a definite id for itself as a frontrunner within the luxurious vehicle market. It shares Toyota’s repute for reliability and construct high quality, and has developed a singular concentrate on craftsmanship, consolation, and superior know-how.
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Of all of the automobiles which have rolled off Lexus’ meeting line, arguably essentially the most iconic is the LS collection, its flagship line of full-size sedans. For a very long time, the LS has been synonymous with high-end luxurious which has made it a scorching commodity on each new and used markets. In the event you’re right here, you are in all probability eyeing one too. However earlier than you make the leap, it is best to know precisely why it is so fascinating, in addition to any potential drawbacks which may make you assume twice about getting one.
Whether or not you are trying to purchase one recent off the lot or procuring on the used market, let’s go over 10 issues it is best to know earlier than you determine to place one in your storage.
Once you purchase Lexus, you are shopping for luxurious. High quality leather-based upholstery, actual wooden accents, hand-pleated door trims, intricate Kiriko glass accents — with all of this mixed, the LS screams top-tier high quality.
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Lexus boasts that it goes the additional mile in pursuit of perfection, whether or not that’s inventing specialised equipment for the manufacturing course of or totally and meticulously inspecting every automobile that leaves its manufacturing crops. And you may anticipate this in any mannequin you buy, whether or not you are shopping for new or used.
Along with aesthetics, the LS is thought for sturdiness, alongside each different Lexus mannequin. The physique construction is designed to maintain passengers protected over years of driving. It does so by using high-strength metal and superior manufacturing methods.
The supplies used within the LS principally maintain up nicely over time, so you possibly can relaxation assured that you will get pleasure from a premium expertise even in older fashions. Nevertheless, there’s one factor it is best to hold an eye fixed out for when shopping for used fashions. A lot of older Lexus fashions have complaints of cracked/melted dashboards or inside panels, which we’ll go into afterward.
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One of many standout options of the LS is its virtually silent inside, one of many defining options of any Lexus automobile. Utilizing a mixture of acoustic glass, lively noise cancellation, and lively sound management know-how, you cannot solely decrease disturbance from exterior the automobile, however management the atmosphere of the cabin.
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Actually, Lexus claims that the seat cushions of the 2024 LS500 are even designed to cut back vibrations so you possibly can get pleasure from music and dialog with out undesirable disruption.
The cabin of the LS shouldn’t be solely quiet, it is also fairly snug. With beneficiant legroom and headroom, passengers in the back and front seats can stretch out comfortably, particularly in lengthy wheelbase variations of the LS. The roomy cabin is complemented by high-quality supplies like leather-based and alcantara, in addition to adjustable seats with choices for heating, cooling and a therapeutic massage perform.
One main qualm lots of people appear to have with the LS is the truth that in comparison with quite a lot of its rivals available on the market, and given its premium price ticket, the LS leaves a bit to be desired in terms of velocity and efficiency. Actually, in our current assessment of the 2024 LS, its underwhelming driving expertise was a significant draw back.
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Over time, Lexus has transitioned the LS powertrain choices from naturally aspirated V8 engines to turbocharged V6 engines. Even with fewer cylinders, the newer engines nonetheless provide higher efficiency, due to the introduction of dual turbochargers. On the 2024 LS, for instance, there is a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine below the hood that outputs 416 hp whereas the older 2013 LS460 with the bigger 4.6-liter V8 engine solely delivers 386 hp.
Choosing a hybrid model of the LS500 really provides you considerably decrease efficiency than a totally gas-powered LS. Although in fact, it is price contemplating due to higher gas economic system and the constructive affect on the surroundings.
Exterior of the bottom mannequin, there are different variations of the 2024 LS500 out there to you when you’re shopping for new. The present LS500 lineup consists additionally consists of the LS500 F Sport and the LS500h AWD.
The F Sport, opposite to what its identify implies, is not in any manner a performance-oriented mannequin. It is merely a superficial variation that caters to patrons who desire a sportier expertise, with enhancements like performance-tuned suspension, bolstered sports activities seats, and aggressive exterior styling. It nonetheless comes with the identical 3.4-liter V6 engine as the bottom mannequin and performs principally the very same manner.
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The LS 500h AWD is the hybrid model and modifies the powertrain on the bottom mannequin, combining a V6 engine with electrical motors to supply improved gas effectivity. And though you could be a fan of that, your pockets in all probability will not be, as you are taking a look at a value leap of about $35,000 from the bottom mannequin, which is a really fairly penny.
On prime of the completely different variations, every of those fashions will be enhanced with a number of packages which embrace promoting factors like entrance and rear acoustic glass, adaptive variable air suspension, and a panoramic view monitor, amongst different bells and whistles.
Whereas the Lexus LS500 delivers spectacular energy, gas economic system is not its robust go well with. It isn’t horrible, however there’s nothing significantly nice about it both. The usual LS500 with rear-wheel drive affords an EPA-estimated 18 mpg within the metropolis and 29 mpg on the freeway. These figures lag behind some rivals, particularly in a market the place effectivity is changing into extra vital. Take the 2024 Mercedes-Benz S500 for instance. When outfitted with the three.0-liter inline-six engine, it has a barely higher EPA ranking of 21 mpg within the metropolis and 30 mpg on the freeway.
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Even the hybrid mannequin of the LS500 barely improves gas economic system, with EPA scores of twenty-two mpg within the metropolis and 29 mpg on the freeway. This hardly meets the expectations for a hybrid mannequin — the hybrid model of the 2025 ES300, one other Lexus sedan, has a ranking of 43/44 mpg. This less-than-ideal gas effectivity is even worse in older V8 fashions. For instance, the 2004 Lexus LS430 has an EPA ranking of 16 mpg within the metropolis and 23 mpg on a freeway.
Lexus hasn’t made many misses, which contributes to its repute for reliability, however not each automobile from the luxurious producer has been an entire hit. When purchasing for an LS, particularly a used one, there are some fashions it is best to steer clear from, both attributable to recollects or a number of complaints from earlier homeowners.
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We lately lined some Lexus fashions that patrons shopping the used market ought to keep away from, and the LS460 discovered itself on that record. One of many largest issues that LS homeowners appear to come across is the dashboard and inside door panels beginning to get sticky after which finally melting and cracking. Lexus addressed this drawback by providing free replacements below a restricted guarantee program, however chances are high that when you purchase a used LS460 with this situation it will be far too late to be lined.
The LS460 has additionally been recalled on a number of events attributable to some severe security hazards, like potential sudden engine failures and engine fires. These points should not fear you a lot when you’re shopping for a brand-new mannequin from current years. However when you’re procuring on the used market, particularly when you’re taking a look at older fashions, it is best to positively conduct a radical inspection of any automobile earlier than driving it off the lot.
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You learn that proper. At this level, we have established that Lexus is thought for its reliability and long-term worth, however the fact is that luxurious sedans are likely to depreciate extra quickly than their non-luxury counterparts — and that is true for many of the key luxurious automobile manufacturers. Actually, it isn’t unusual for high-end automobile fashions just like the LS to lose round 60% of their worth inside the first three years of possession. In line with Kelley Blue E-book, the 2022 Lexus LS has depreciated by virtually $26,000 within the two years since its launch.
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It isn’t all dangerous although. This depreciation can work in your favor when you’re considering of shopping for used somewhat than model new. After just a few years, the worst of the depreciation has already occurred, which means yow will discover a contemporary luxurious sedan in nice situation at an affordable value level. However nonetheless, it is vital to weigh the trade-off you make within the occasion you find yourself eager to promote down the road. For some, the robust reliability and lower-than-average upkeep prices related to the Lexus model will make all of it price it.
As a luxurious competitor within the full-size sedan market, you possibly can anticipate the LS to come full of options that not solely make your driving expertise extra snug and handy but additionally be certain that you are as protected as doable throughout each trip.
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Alongside customary creature comforts like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wi-fi charging, you possibly can anticipate loads of performance in a brand-new 2024 LS. One standout function is the power to make use of voice instructions to manage virtually each key perform, together with cabin temperature, navigation routes, and audio quantity. And since its interface is supplied with synthetic intelligence, it has the power to turn out to be smarter over time and with common software program updates.
With regards to security, the LS would not skimp both. Options like adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, and automated emergency braking assist make day by day driving much less traumatic, providing you with an added feeling of security, whether or not you are behind the wheel or within the passenger seat. Whereas these tech options have turn out to be the usual on this class of automobiles, they do a strong job of enhancing the general driving expertise.
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In the event you’re procuring on the used market, older fashions nonetheless have a handful of tech choices, however the consumer interface can really feel dated, particularly in fashions that use a trackpad for controls.
Lexus has earned a strong repute as a dependable participant within the luxurious automobile market, and the accolades again it up. It have been named Most Reliable Model by J.D. Energy in each 2024 and 2023, and has repeatedly gained Kelley Blue E-book’s Greatest Luxurious Model title in its 5-12 months Value to Personal Awards.
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Additionally, in line with RepairPal, the typical upkeep price for a Lexus is round $551 per yr, considerably decrease than the trade common of $652. So this implies you do not have a lot to fret about in terms of upkeep and long-term possession prices. However nothing is ever utterly good, and though you are unlikely to have recurring upkeep points, you possibly can’t utterly rule out that risk.
Additionally, exterior of normal upkeep and minor points that might pop up right here and there, there’s all the time the chance that you’ve a severe restore situation to cope with, particularly when shopping for used. And since luxurious automobiles are notoriously costlier to restore, you could possibly end up in a fairly sticky scenario.
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One factor you could possibly do to mitigate this threat is to go for a Licensed Pre-Owned automobile. These are automobiles which have been totally inspected and examined to verify they perform virtually in addition to one thing model new. You also needs to ensure you examine the upkeep data of no matter used automobile you are getting, even when you’re buying from an individual and never a dealership. This reveals no matter earlier faults the automobile may need had so you realize what you are getting your self into.
When purchasing for a automobile, particularly one as expensive as a Lexus, it is vital to just be sure you’re getting the perfect bang on your buck, and that includes taking a step again to discover related merchandise. You do not need to have that facepalm second down the road while you understand that you could possibly’ve gotten a automobile that is higher suited to your wants for the same and even cheaper price. Taking the time to check different luxurious sedans may help you keep away from that, and guarantee your happiness in the long term.
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It isn’t information that the LS is among the leaders of the luxurious flagship sedan market, however the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has lengthy been the usual in terms of luxurious sedans, and for good purpose. It has a way more premium feel and look than the LS, and affords much more status and cutting-edge options.
One other often-overlooked contender that is price contemplating is the Genesis G90. In our assessment of the 2024 mannequin, we discovered it delivered an important stability of performance, efficiency, and luxurious. After all, then there’s additionally the BMW 7 Sequence, a significant participant within the luxurious market, and a worthwhile choice in case you desire a sportier, extra dynamic drive.