2025 Lexus LS

Some flagship sedans are built with German autobahns in mind. The 2025 Lexus LS will eat up freeway miles as well — it just won’t do it in the same assertive manner. We think that’s OK. There’s a lot to be said for being smooth and steady, even if brain surgery isn’t involved.

Actually, a brain surgeon seems like the kind of person who might buy a Lexus LS. It will surely be an antidote to the stressful and demanding conditions of an operating theater. The cabin is quiet and calming. The ride is sure and soothing. And the reliability is reassuring. On top of all that, the Lexus LS is relatively affordable while holding its value better than any rival. That’s typical of the marque. Another trait is loyalty. We noticed in our owner reviews that many were on their third, fourth, or fifth Lexus. Other companies would give their prefrontal cortex for that kind of business. But guess what car the doctor owns?

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of large luxury cars, including the Lexus LS.

The LS luxury sedan, which gained a few more standard tech features last year, comes into 2025 unchanged. This current (fifth) generation launched for the 2018 model year, so a new model might be coming soon.

Our recommendation would be the regular LS 500, and buyers can choose whether they need all-wheel drive or not. We think the higher price of the LS 500h hybrid coupled with its not-so-superior fuel economy is a bit of a turn-off.

Among the rivals, the godfather and best-seller is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. We’re also fans of the BMW 7 Series. Both of those vehicles start higher than the LS. So does the Genesis G90 and the aging Audi A8. It may seem paradoxical to talk about value in this most extravagant of car classes, but the Lexus LS even has that attribute in its box of tricks.

Before buying a new Lexus LS large luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

Robust Resale Values

The LS is a multiple winner of our Best Resale Value award for the large luxury car class, including 2024. We’ve also given the entire Lexus marque many awards for having the strongest resale values in the luxury sector. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Welcome to the second-best seat in the house. The first is the back, where heating, massaging, and reclining features beckon. At least all occupants benefit from a gliding ride quality — with the possible exception of the F Sport version, which we’ll get to in a moment.

Life behind the wheel is pretty sweet, nevertheless. There are the 16-way (at least) power-adjustable/heated/ventilated front seats, an impressive array of driver assistance features, plus the options of an adaptive air suspension, head-up display, and adaptive cruise control.

The 416-horsepower turbocharged V6 hums and purrs far in the background yet brings its authoritative thrust at a low engine speed for decisive moves.

The F Sport variant has closer-fitting front seats and a sportier edge to its suspension, but no extra power. Asking a large luxury sedan to become an enthusiast machine is a bit like asking a football quarterback to be a synchronized swimmer — it’s possible, but not a natural fit. We prefer the LS in its comfort zone of being, well, a comfort zone.

If the duties of a 2025 LS are based mainly in the city, take a look at the 354-horsepower LS 500h hybrid, whose in-town fuel economy is better than its combustion-only counterpart by four or five miles per gallon. It also has self-parking as standard. For the occasional road trip, the LS 500h hybrid comes with the Teammate Advanced Driving System, providing a hands-free/feet-free feature for major highway stretches.

Fuel Economy

The rear-drive LS 500 achieves 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Subtract one mile per gallon with all-wheel drive in the mix. That’s not bad for the class. The hybrid LS 500h manages 25 mpg combined, which might make it hard for some potential buyers to justify that vehicle’s higher price. Premium gasoline is required for both drivetrains.

Although it’s relatively affordable, the Lexus LS fulfills the role of an exclusive flagship sedan admirably. It’s wonderful to have comfortable seats, a spacious and quiet cabin, high-quality materials, and modern tech. Large luxury sedans are expected to have all this stuff, though. We think it’s the optional interior treatments that are more remarkable and make the LS exceptional.

Like the cut-glass Kiriko door panel inserts, which come with origami-inspired hand-pleated cloth, and a powered ottoman for the right rear seat — a seat that also has shiatsu massage functions. These are all part of a special Executive package. Or there’s the Haku hand-fitted ultra-thin metal pieces for the doors, descended from a 400-year-old tradition.

We must mention, though, that despite having a decent 38.9 inches of rear legroom, that figure trails the Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz contenders. Conversely, trunk space is good, with virtually 17 cubic feet in the LS 500 and 15.2 in the hybrid LS 500h.

Whatever the aesthetic merits of the Lexus LS might be, and we’re sure everyone has their opinions, we think it’s time for a new approach. Toyota is doing some fine design work with its current vehicles, and we’d like to see something similar from Lexus. Back to the LS we have now — it’s conservative and mostly low-profile, except for the prominent grille. That will please the similarly conservative buyers who prefer not to draw attention to themselves.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Why ruin the calm and collected atmosphere of Lexus LS with an untidy cable? Wireless phone integration is standard, along with wireless charging.

Infotainment system
This system includes a high-res 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital assistant. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple Music streaming. We’ve found it quite user-friendly.

Executive package
Yes, it’s expensive (around $20,000), but it turns the rear quarters into a sanctuary, with just two seats covered in diamond-stitched semi-aniline leather — both enjoying 22-way power adjustment, plus heating and massaging functions. A 7-inch touchscreen is included.

Mark Levinson audio
At about $2,000, we think this is relatively cheap for a high-end surround-sound system. And we like that it’s an individual option (no need to splash out on a package). This 23-speaker, 2,400-watt setup could bring out details in favorite tunes you may not have heard before. It’s standard in the LS 500h hybrid.

Panoramic view monitor
Being able to see completely around the car is always a good thing when maneuvering. This feature is optional in the LS 500 and standard in the LS 500h.

Power lift-up buckle
This is one of those “How about that?” little features. Close the door, and the seat belt buckle rises up so it’s easier to reach. Again, this is optional in the regular car and standard in the hybrid.

The 416 hp in the regular LS 500 makes this car more muscular at the entry-level than the Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series.

It’s achieved with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (smooth and whisper-quiet) accompanied by an equally respectable 442 lb-ft of torque. This thrust goes through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either just the rear wheels or an optional all-wheel drive system.

The hybrid alternative is a 354-hp gasoline/electric drivetrain in the LS 500h, which comes with all-wheel drive as standard and a model-specific automatic transmission.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The Lexus new-vehicle warranty of four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first, is usual for the luxury sector. The 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty is a little better than most. Hybrid batteries are covered for a typical eight years or 100,000 miles. The first two scheduled services (six months/5,000 miles and 12 months/10,000 miles) are also free.

Safety

The Lexus LS hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States. We don’t think that’s a deal-breaker, however, since the LS comes standard with a comprehensive set of advanced safety features and driver aids.