Bid farewell to the Lexus LS 460 and offer a welcoming hello to the all-new LS 500, an elegant full-size luxury sedan that should fare quite well in its debut season.
Always a fan of the LS 460, we like its replacement – the 2018 Lexus LS 500 – even more. It has a rather bold exterior that Lexus never experimented with in four generations of producing the LS 460, which hadn’t received a major redesign in the past decade.
The Lexus LS 500 is wider, longer and sits lower than the LS 460. Weighing more than 5,000 pounds, the new Lexus sedan features rather dramatically angled front headlights and the signature large spindle front grille. The styling also includes some sharp side angles and curvy areas, giving it an overall handsome appearance.
The LS 500, which also includes a hybrid option, is the first LS series vehicle to not include a V8 engine. Lexus has equipped the standard LS 500 with a very powerful twin-turbocharged V6. The hybrid is no slouch in the performance area, either.
The twin-turbo is a 3.5-liter, V6 that generates 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. It also has a 10-speed manual transmission. Equipped with more horsepower than last year’s LS 460, the rear-wheel drive LS 500 goes 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds. With that kind of acceleration, we found the LS 500 exhilarating to drive on the open road. All-wheel drive is an option.
The hybrid LS 500 has a 3.5-liter, Atkinson cycle V6 that produces 354 horsepower and goes 0-60 mpg in 5.3 seconds. The hybrid gets better gas mileage – ranging from 23-33 mpg, while the standard LS 500 gets 18-30 mpg.
Another option is the performance-laden F Sport version, which has the standard engine and adds larger brakes, 20-inch wheels, a retuned suspension, and more.
The LS 500 provides a very smooth, effortless ride that is quiet and serene at all speeds. We were also impressed by the handling in any driving situation. Depending on the mood, having the option of driving in Eco, Comfort or Sport drive modes is a nice touch by Lexus.
There’s a high tech feel that comes with the LS 500 interior. The technology includes Wi-Fi hotspot, Lexus Enform smartphone app integration, a 12.3-inch color display, and navigation system. The touch pad will be challenging for some drivers and can be a distraction due to its complexity.
2018 Lexus LS 500
- Performance: twin-turbocharged 3.5.-liter, V6, 416 horsepower; hybrid, 3.5-liter, V6, 354 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 18-30 mpg; 23-33 mpg
- Price estimate: $76,100 to $85,100
- Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; drivetrain: 6 years/70,000 miles; roadside assistance: 4 years/unlimited; corrosion: 6 years/unlimited
There’s practically no chance of feeling uncomfortable in the stylish LS 500 cabin. It has 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats that also includes an optional massage function. Seating is also comfortable in the back, although the low roofline could be an issue for taller passengers. Lexus replaced the previous wood accents with Kiriko-cut glass. Trunk space is 15.5 cubic-feet.
Music lovers can pass on the standard 12-speaker audio system and go with the 23-speaker, Mark Levinson sound system. The cost for the premium sound is an extra $2,000.
The LS brand has been around for nearly 30 years and remains a top-notch luxury sedan. The overall improvements should make the new 2018 Lexus LS 500 a tempting buy for luxury car shoppers.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel. His “Weidel on Wheels” auto reviews are featured periodically on this website at www.tahoeskiworld.com.
