The ultimate Lexus is this one, the LS luxury saloon, now usefully improved. This comes only in LS500h hybrid form these days and it'll be a rare sight on our roads. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at what's on offer.

Ten Second Review

With the improved fifth generation version of its large luxury saloon, the LS, Lexus looks to showcase all it can be. As before, there's a non-Plug-in hybrid petrol 3.5-litre V6 beneath the bonnet and the option of AWD if you want it. But interior media connectivity has taken a big step forward with the installation of a new 'Lexus Link Pro' multimedia system. Beyond that, as ever, luxury, refinement and sheer attention to detail all get top billing.

Background

The Lexus LS. Back in 1989, the launch of the original version of this model redefined what a luxury saloon should be, the engineers behind it tasked to create nothing less than 'the best luxury car in the world'. Few would argue that they succeeded. It seems rather ridiculous now to remember that back then, the European makers who ruled the flagship four-door market sector defined luxury as being as much about wood and leather as it was about ride and refinement. Thanks to this Japanese brand, cars of this kind were finally transformed from boardroom barges to the technological showcases buyers had a right to expect from their inflated price tags. Today, the LS is still a technological showcase, but it isn't the obvious segment choice that it was for a brief period in the early Nineties until the European opposition caught up. The engineers have been working on that though, the result being the improved version of the fifth generation model we're going to look at here, a boardroom segment full-Luxury saloon that claims to offer a rather unique blend of design, technology and performance, extending the boundaries of automotive luxury. That's quite a claim when other rivals in this segment include contenders as accomplished as the Mercedes S-Class, the BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8. Launched in 2017, then updated four years on, the latest version of this car also features big cabin upgrades in media connectivity.

Driving Experience

In the past, Lexus hasn't ever bothered to make the LS feel in any way sporty - and doesn't see any need to start now. Most owners spend 90% of their drive time in the most normal of the provided drive modes, using light throttle inputs - usually around town. So this current LS model's 3.5-litre V6 full-Hybrid petrol engine aims to be better in that environment, where it most matters. In recent years, the engineers have increased the level of assistance delivered by the hybrid system's lithium-ion battery. That in turn reduces the amount of throttle the car needs to accelerate, resulting in what the brand calls a 'smoother and more linear' acceleration curve. More comfortable city driving is the result, though Lexus claims there are also benefits when it comes to winding roads and hill starts. That greater battery output allows the petrol engine to operate at lower revs, reducing vibration and noise. There have been other changes in recent years to the drive experience too. The 'AVS' 'Adaptive Variable Suspension' system has been updated to improve ride quality. Plus the engine mounts have been changed. And thicker seat bases have been added and tyre sidewall stiffness reduced, so occupants are less likely to feel tarmac vibration. To suit the current zeitgeist, there are also more autonomous driving features. Otherwise, things are much as they've always been with this MK5 LS. The 3.5-litre petrol V6 fitted to the single LS500h model puts out 295bhp but is boosted by a hybrid system to produce a 'total system output' of 354bhp. This package powers the rear wheels in most models which are suspended at each corner by multi-link suspension units. There's also an AWD version available for those wanting it. In other markets, this powerplant comes fitted with twin turbochargers; unfortunately, we don't get that version here, which means that the engine has quite a job on shifting nearly 2.5-tonnes of Oriental real estate. Still, 62mph from rest is dispatched on just 5.4s in the rear-driven variants, en route to a top speed that as usual in cars of this kind is artificially restricted at 155mph.

Design and Build

The LS has always been understated and this current version of the fifth generation model is no different. Minor updates were made in 2021 but you might struggle to spot them, even if you're amongst the rare few who chose the original version of this MK5 design. So, to help, we'll tell you that since this 'XF 50'-series MK5 model was first launched in 2017, Lexus has added a darker radiator grille, a re-profiled front bumper - and fresh alloy wheel designs for the 'F-SPORT' model. The headlights were updated in 2021 too, subtly re-shaped and incorporating the 'Bladescan Adaptive LED' technology we first saw on the RX, which uses moving mirrors rather than projectors to adjust the headlamp beam. Inside, the main more recent change lies with the installation of a new 'Lexus Link Pro' multimedia system which has a smarter 12.3-inch centre touchscreen infotainment system. This dispenses with the previous clunky 'Remote Touch' touchpad interface and offers "Hey Lexus" voice control, plus wireless 'Apple CarPlay' (but cabled 'Android Auto') smartphone-mirroring. There's also a new 'under-floor-see-through' function onthe Panoramic View Monitor which helps with low speed manoevring. This builds on cabin enhancements made back in 2021. These included the more supportive urethane rubber that undergirds the seat padding, that chair trimmed in exquisite leather and featuring 20 or 28-way-adjustability, as well as a range of massage functions from 'stretch' to 'Shiatsu'. There's also a digital rear view mirror to improve rearward visibility. As before, when you get in, the seatbelt presents itself and its holder even extends by 50mm to receive the buckle. Lovely. The rear compartment is beautifully trimmed, though headspace could still be more generous. Less surprising (given that this is a hybrid) is the relatively modest levels of boot space - the quoted figure is 430-litres.

Market and Model

Prices sit in the £90,000-£123,000 bracket and the range begins with standard 'LS' spec, which together with the 'LS F-SPORT' variant, can only be had in rear-driven form. A mid-range 'LS Premium Pack' variant is offered with the choice of rear-wheel drive or AWD. And the top 'Takumi' models (which start from around £116,000) only come in AWD form. Equipment levels of course are generous, with 20-inch wheels, four-zone climate control, leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats and the 'Lexus Link Pro' multimedia system all standard. Most models get a seat massage programme for the front chairs too. Avoid entry-level trim and you also get a thumping 23-speaker Mark Levinson Reference surround sound audio set-up too. Adaptive Variable Suspension is standard and above entry-level trim, you get full air suspension too. Safety-wise, all models get the 'Lexus Safety System+', which includes 'Pre-Collision' autonomous braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Sway Warning and Automatic High Beam and Adaptive High beam features for the Triple-LD headlamps. There's also a Blind Spot Monitor and a 'Rear Cross Traffic Alert Brake' system to warn you of oncoming traffic when you're reversing out of a space. A new safety package called 'Lexus Teammate' allows the car to automatically change lanes and overtake other vehicles. Our favourite new feature though, is the fully automated parking system, which can recognise spaces you use regularly, store details on them and guide the LS into the required bay, even if the space hasn't been marked with lines and there are no adjacent vehicles.

Cost of Ownership

Ultimately, you don't buy a huge V6 petrol-powered luxury saloon like this and expect it to be an inexpensive thing to keep on the road. Which is also the case here, despite all that hybrid badging. Self-charging hybrid technology we should point out: this LS500h doesn't have plug-in PHEV tech; Lexus doesn't think that's needed. Even so, this LS returns 35.3mpg on the combined cycle and 182g/km of CO2 in rear wheel drive form. Go for the minority-interest AWD version and those figures fall only slightly - to 31.4mpg and 214g/km. The insurance group is a top-of the-shop 50E rating across the range. To maximise your returns, you'll need to make frequent use of the 'Eco' setting in the Drive Mode Select system. This reduces throttle response and engine power output in relation to use of the accelerator pedal to maximise fuel efficiency at the same time as limiting the voltage of the power control unit. The best part of owning a Lexus is that you can be almost certain that nothing will go wrong. Even if such a thing ever happened, so efficient and pleasant are the dealers that you'll be almost glad it did.

Summary

The LS is - and has always been - the car its brand is built upon. The day that Lexus can't bring us a credible large luxury saloon to challenge the best of the premium European makers will be a day the company will have taken its eye off the ball with too much of its focus on sports saloons, compact executive hatchbacks and SUVs. This improved fifth generation LS reassures us that that time is unlikely to ever come. While this isn't a class leader, it's still a desirable and very different class contender in so many ways, primarily when it comes to refinement and cabin luxury in this segment. Driving one of these is an experience, but one that few boardroom buyers will ever get to try. They'll dismiss this car for its lack of Plug-in hybrid technology, EV tech or diesel power. They'll bemoan the doubtful residual values. Or assume that driving one will be like piloting a waterbed. Which is a pity because for all its faults, this LS is a car that many top executives would really enjoy owning. It ought to make your short list - and if it does, there's the added appeal that no one else in the boardroom will have one.

Body Glass

Windscreen wiper de-icer

Variable front intermittent wipers

Sundym side windows and rear screen

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

Rear defog timer

Acoustic laminated side glass

Front electric windows with auto up and down function

Ultra Violet (UV) and heat insulating tinted glass

Front door glass with water repellent coating

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Traction control

Electronic brake force distribution

Brake assist function

Electronic parking brake

Electronically controlled braking

Hill start assist control with hold switch

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear textile carpet mats

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management

Adaptive variable suspension

Communication

Voice control system

Bluetooth telephone connectivity

E-call

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto

Driver Aids

Electric power steering

Lane departure warning system

Intelligent park assist

Lane keep assist

Emergency stop signalling system

Drive mode selector

Traffic sign recognition

Pre-collision system (PCS)

360 degree panoramic view monitor

Intelligent parking sensors

Road sign assist - RSA

6 driving modes Eco/Normal/Comfort/Custom/Sport S/Sport S+

Drive mode select switches - snow and EV mode

Rear cross traffic alert and auto braking

Dynamic radar cruise control

Lane change assist

Remote services

Driver Convenience

Remote fuel cap release

Power boot closing

Power boot lid with kick sensor

Push button start with smart entry

Driver Information

Trip computer

Service interval indicator

Driver monitoring system

Blind spot monitor

Colour Head up Display (HUD)

Analogue clock with GPS function

12.3" Multi information display in instrument panel

Cloud based and embedded navigation

Over the air updates

Driver entry and exit facility

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming door mirrors

Door mirror memory

Door mirror integrated indicators

Electric adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors

Black mirror caps

Digital rear view mirror

Reverse tilt function and turn indicators for door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Instrument panel and door trim illumination

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Auxiliary input socket

12.3" colour touch-screen display

AM/FM radio

2 front USB and 2 rear USB charging points

23 speaker Mark Levinson sound system

Steering wheel soft touch controls

Exterior Body Features

Electric sunroof

Body colour bumpers

Easy door and boot soft shut closing

Aluminium boot scuff plates

Rear side wing doors

Rear boot

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

Automatic headlamp levelling

Headlamp cleaning system

Adaptive front lighting system

Cornering light

LED daytime running lights

LED Indicators

LED door illumination

Rear fog lights

LED rear combination lights

Roof mounted LED brake light

Auto headlights

3 eye LED headlights with adaptive high beam system with bladescan

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Individual driver/passenger temperature controls

Clean air filter

Climate concierge

4 zone climate control air conditioning with Nanoe technology

Rear control panel

Interior Features

Electric adjustable steering column

Through load facility

Front door pockets

Leather front centre console

3 x 12V power sockets

Coin tray

Aluminium scuff plates

Leather gearlever gaiter

2 bag hooks in luggage compartment

2 cupholders in front centre console

Sunglasses holder

Semi-aniline leather upholstery

Front centre armrest with storage

Gearshift paddles

Active sound control

Suede roof lining

Self charging hybrid

3 spoke leather heated steering wheel with paddle shift controls

Power rear and side sunshades

Rear armrest with cupholders

Interior Lights

Glovebox light

Boot light

Door puddle lights

LED interior illumination with touch sensor map lights

Safety

Rear side airbags

Seatbelt warning

WHIPS whiplash protection system - front

Front safety belt with retractor

Tyre pressure warning

Dual stage driver/passenger airbags

Driver/front passenger side airbags

Side curtain airbags

3 point seatbelts on all rear seats

Drivers knee airbag

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Passenger knee airbag

Front thorax airbags

Pedestrian monitor

3 point seat belts with pre tensioners

Rear seat cushion airbags

Manual child lock in rear doors

Seats

Electrically adjustable rear headrests

Massage function for front seats

Heated and ventilated front seats

4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for drivers seat

4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for front passenger seat

Variable climate control front and rear seats

Heated and ventilated rear seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

18 way electrically adjustable rear seats

Front seats with memory function

Butterfly protection front and rear headrests

Single front passenger seat

28 way driver and 20 way front passenger electrically adjustable seats with pneumatic function

Power front headrest with memory

2 Point ISOFIX child restraint system on outer rear seats

Security

Engine immobiliser

Locking wheel bolts

Security window etching

Double locking

Automatic door locking

Easy access power system

Anti theft alarm with incline sensor and glass break sensor

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Anti-theft system

Vanity Mirrors

Driver/passenger sunvisors and LED vanity mirrors

Wheels

Run flat tyres

Wheels - Alloy

20" Alloy wheels

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity in kWh: 1.11

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 147

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 68

CO: 0.327

NOx: 0.002

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0.0005

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 241

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 182

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 165

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 184

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 185

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 241

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 243

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 182

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 184

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 165

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 166

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 184

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 185

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 187

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 185

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 94

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 83

CC: 3456

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: V6

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 13.0:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 10 SPEED

Engine Code: 8GR-FXS

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

EC Urban (mpg): 36.7

EC Extra Urban (mpg): 47.2

EC Combined (mpg): 44.1

WLTP - MPG - Low: 26.4

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 34.8

WLTP - MPG - High: 38.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 34.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 34.4

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 26.4

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 26.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 34.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 34.4

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 38.6

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 38.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 34.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 34.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 34.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 34

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 10.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 7.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 10.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 10.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 8.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 7.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 7.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 8.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 8.3

General

Coin Series: Premium pack 2WD

Coin Description: h

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Service Interval Mileage: 10000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 359

Badge Engine CC: 3.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 4

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.4

Top Speed: 155

Engine Power - BHP: 359

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 264

Engine Power - RPM: 6600

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 258

Engine Torque - NM: 350

Engine Torque - RPM: 5100

Engine Torque - MKG: 35.7

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/45 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 245/45 R20

Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 5235

Width: 1900

Wheelbase: 3125

Width (including mirrors): 2160

Height: 1450

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2190

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2725

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 82

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 535

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 430

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: N

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

Exterior Body Features

Special metallic paint

Special pearlescent paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Deep blue

Metallic - Mesa red

Metallic - Graphite black

Metallic - Manganese lustre

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Sonic titanium

Special metallic - Sonic white

Special metallic - Sonic agate

Special pearlescent - Lunar silver

Special metallic - Sonic platinum

Trim - Leather

Semi-aniline leather - Black with Ash open pore inlay

Semi-aniline leather - Hazel with walnut open pore inlay