The Lexus LS has always been more than just a car; it’s a statement. When the first generation debuted in 1989, it wasn’t merely launching a new model, but setting the benchmark for an entire luxury automotive brand. Renowned for its unparalleled quietness and comfort, the original LS laid the foundation for Lexus’s core principles. Akio Toyoda, Chief Branding Officer and Master Driver, aptly describes the LS across its generations as “a model that gives rise to transformation through the spirit of constant innovation and by providing new technologies and value for the times.” Continuing this legacy, the 2021 Lexus Ls 500 arrives with enhanced refinement and technology, building upon the already impressive foundation of the current generation launched in 2018.
Like all Lexus vehicles, the LS 500 embodies core brand values: Takumi craftsmanship, the meticulous artistry woven into every detail, and Omotenashi, the spirit of anticipatory hospitality, catering to needs even before they arise. Furthermore, the 2021 LS 500 introduces the “Lexus Driving Signature,” a new philosophy aimed at setting a higher standard for vehicle development, focusing on enhanced control, balance, and driver confidence.
The 2021 Lexus LS 500 models are set to reach dealerships starting in late November 2020, with a starting MSRP of $76,000. The LS 500h hybrid variants are anticipated in early 2021, with pricing details to be announced closer to their release.
Dynamic Evolution: Comfort and Quietness Redefined in the LS 500
For the 2021 model year, Lexus engineers dedicated themselves to elevating the comfort, quietness, and overall refinement of the LS 500 sedan. This focus aimed to harmonize these attributes with the dynamic enhancements driven by the Lexus Driving Signature. This philosophy involves meticulous tuning, thoughtful component upgrades, and refined control surfaces, all contributing to a new standard of vehicle control, balance, and ultimately, driver confidence across the Lexus lineup, and particularly within the LS 500.
Expanding on its foundational DNA of exceptional quietness and comfort, the LS 500 benefits from painstaking craftsmanship applied to even the most minute components. From the powertrain and suspension to the precise positioning of seat stitch points, every detail has been scrutinized and optimized.
Koji Sato, President of Lexus International, emphasizes this evolution: “The LS, as a flagship, has constantly pursued innovation and has provided new technologies and value for its customers. In developing the new LS 500, we furthered the evolution of the exceptional quietness and comfort that has been a steadfast constant since the model’s first generation.”
Elevating the Driving Experience of the LS 500
The inherent dynamic character of the LS 500, built upon the Lexus GA-L platform, establishes it as the most dynamically capable Lexus flagship sedan to date. Subtle yet impactful tuning of the control surfaces, steering, and braking systems further enhance control, poise, and driver confidence in the LS 500.
Key refinements in the latest LS 500 include advancements in the suspension and chassis tuning. These updates are designed to deliver an even smoother and more comfortable ride without compromising the dynamic character of the current model. Several carefully considered modifications to the underpinnings contribute to this enhanced ride comfort. Specifically, the suspension now features revised spring and damper rates, optimizing damping performance. To improve body roll control during cornering, the diameters of both front and rear anti-roll bars have been optimized. For the 2021 model year, larger front and rear liquid-filled bushings further contribute to a more plush and refined ride in the LS 500.
For increased suppleness and improved handling stability, the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) in the LS 500 utilizes revised linear solenoids and control valves. These are engineered to provide low damping force through their enlarged internal flow path. Furthermore, the operation of the available ride-height-adjustable air suspension, which aids in ingress and egress, has been refined for smoother and more intuitive functionality in the LS 500.
Powerful and Refined Powertrains in the LS 500 and LS 500h
The LS 500 is powered by a 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering the robust performance expected of a flagship sedan: 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Refinement is paramount, and to achieve this, the engine features a newly developed piston with a lip shape on the piston top. This design contributes to lower emissions and quieter operation, especially during cold starts. The wastegate control on the twin-turbo engine has also been updated to ensure stable valve opening and closing, enhancing performance efficiency. The 10-speed automatic transmission has also been refined with recalibrated shift logic, designed to keep the engine operating in a more responsive portion of its power band, optimizing the driving experience of the LS 500.
In rear-wheel-drive configuration, the LS 500 achieves a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.6 seconds. Drivers can tailor the powertrain’s responsiveness and feel through selectable drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Normal, Custom, Sport S, and Sport S+. The available all-wheel-drive system incorporates a Torsen® limited-slip center differential, further enhancing grip, traction, and cornering stability. Torque distribution dynamically adjusts, ranging from 31 percent front / 69 percent rear on dry roads to as much as 48 percent front / 52 percent rear on slippery surfaces, ensuring optimal performance in various driving conditions for the LS 500.
The LS 500h, the hybrid variant, utilizes a Multistage Hybrid System. This system combines a naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motor/generators, powered by a compact and lightweight lithium-ion battery. For 2021, a significant powertrain enhancement has been implemented in the LS 500h’s Multistage Hybrid System. The system is now tuned with a new battery strategy, enabling the electric motors to contribute more power during acceleration. The Multistage shift software has also been updated to capitalize on this earlier availability of electric power. The combined system output of the internal combustion engine and electric traction system is 354 hp, enabling the LS 500h to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds (RWD).
Next-Level Interior Refinement in the LS 500
The pursuit of interior refinement in the LS 500 has led to numerous subtle yet impactful improvements aimed at elevating passenger comfort. Details such as armrests, seat cushions, and the center console armrest padding now feature additional foam material, enhancing tactile comfort. The front seats have been redesigned with revised seat springs and thicker cushioning material beneath a seat surface featuring stitching patterns specifically designed to enhance comfort for occupants of the LS 500.
Controls on the steering wheel and center console are now uniformly black, improving visibility and creating a cleaner, more sophisticated aesthetic within the LS 500 cabin. A dedicated switch for displaying controls for frequently used seat heaters and the steering wheel heater has been added to the center console, improving operability and convenience.
For 2021, a new Palomino Leather interior option is available, adding a touch of warmth and luxury to the LS 500 interior. New interior ornamentation options include Black Laser Special and Open Pore Black, allowing for further personalization. In Executive models, the available Kiriko Glass ornamentation and hand-folded pleats on the door trim exemplify Lexus’s commitment to “Innovative elegance through Japanese craftsmanship” and represent a truly handcrafted approach to luxury. The striking Kiriko cut glass ornamentation, a world-first in a production vehicle, draws inspiration from traditional Japanese Kiriko glassware. These patterns are meticulously created using a technique involving hand-cutting clear colors and delicate lines into glass, followed by repeated polishing to achieve a soft, luminous glow, adding an unparalleled level of artistry to the LS 500 interior.
The LS 500 now features a new 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, providing enhanced control options for both driver and passenger. All LS 500 models for 2021 come standard with Apple CarPlay® compatibility, allowing seamless integration of iPhones® through the 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Android Auto® compatibility is also standard, enabling access to Android device interfaces via the multimedia system. The LS 500 also offers Amazon Alexa compatibility, providing owners with access to information and a vast array of Alexa skills. Users can also control compatible smart home devices, such as lighting, thermostats, and security systems, directly from their LS 500. Alexa can even synchronize with the navigation system to provide on-the-go recommendations, further enhancing the connected experience within the LS 500.
Integrated into the LS 500’s cabin is the next-generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI). In addition to the 12.3-inch touchscreen and navigation display, the LS 500 can be equipped with an optional 24-inch color heads-up display (HUD), projecting a variety of crucial information directly into the driver’s line of sight. Dynamic Navigation, included as a three-year trial on all LS 500 models, offers enhanced features including Dynamic Map with cloud-based updates, Dynamic Routes providing alternate routes based on real-time conditions, and Dynamic POI Search, automatically sorting Points of Interest based on relevance. For 2021, the digital rearview mirror in the LS 500 features a larger high-resolution display, improving visibility of the area behind the vehicle.
While enhancing the driver-centric aspects of the LS 500, Lexus has also prioritized the rear seat experience. Options for both heating and massage are available in the rear seats. The Executive Package further elevates rear passenger comfort, featuring a passenger-side seat that can recline up to 48 degrees, an angle carefully chosen for optimal comfort.
Because the current generation LS 500 sits lower than previous iterations, Lexus has equipped the available air suspension with an access function. Activated when unlocking the car with the smart key, access mode automatically raises the vehicle, making ingress and egress significantly easier for passengers.
Exterior Design: Majestic Presence of the LS 500
The LS 500 offers a wealth of interior comforts, and its exterior design equally commands attention, ensuring a majestic presence whether at a standstill or in motion. The front of the LS 500 is characterized by an updated front bumper featuring a redesigned front fascia. The lower radiator air intakes are squared off, projecting a more sturdy and confident stance. The spindle grille’s color has been changed to a dark metallic finish, enhancing its elegant appearance befitting a flagship product. New 3-projector LED headlamps feature a vertically stacked layout. The deep headlamps and squarish sub-radiator grilles positioned to the outer edges of the fascia contribute to the vehicle’s confident and imposing front visage.
At the rear of the 2021 LS 500, the chrome trim within the rear combination lamps has been replaced with Piano Black trim, enhancing the sense of presence and sophistication. The 2021 LS 500 is also offered in a new exterior color: Iridium.
LS 500 F SPORT Package: Enhanced Dynamics and Sporty Styling
In the F SPORT version of the LS 500, the garnish of the sub-radiator grilles extends around to the sides, emphasizing the vehicle’s wide and planted stance. Further accentuating the F SPORT’s dynamic image are dedicated spindle grille color and exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels fitted with 245/45RF20 front and 275/40RF20 rear tires, available in either summer performance or all-season compounds.
Lexus has fully leveraged the GA–L platform’s inherent driving agility when developing the F SPORT package for the LS 500. Handling enhancements via the latest iteration of the VDIM system allow for integrated management of chassis dynamics as a unified system. Larger front and rear brakes – six-piston aluminum monoblock calipers with ventilated 15.7-inch rotors in front and four-piston calipers with 14.1-inch rotors in back – ensure confident and powerful stopping performance. The available Dynamic Handling Package on gas-powered LS 500 F SPORT models adds Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), Active Rear Steering, and an Active Stabilizer Suspension, further elevating the sporty driving dynamics.
Special F SPORT rocker moldings, along with the aforementioned 20-inch wheels, accentuate the sleek profile of the LS 500 F SPORT. The F SPORT persona extends throughout the cabin, featuring a perforated-grill pattern on the seating surfaces and Naguri aluminum trim elements. F SPORT 28-way electric/pneumatic seats with passenger-seat power cushion-length extenders provide exceptional support and comfort, even during spirited driving, ensuring a comfortable experience regardless of journey length in the LS 500 F SPORT.
Advanced Safety and Driver Support Systems in the LS 500
All grades of the 2021 LS 500 come standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. This comprehensive suite includes the Pre-Collision System (PCS), which utilizes millimeter-wave radar and a monocular camera to detect preceding vehicles, bicyclists (daytime), and pedestrians (daylight and low-light conditions).
Lane Departure Alert (LDA) is designed to warn the driver if the vehicle begins to deviate from its lane with audible and visual alerts, along with steering wheel vibration. It can also provide steering assist to help prevent lane departure in the LS 500.
Lane Departure Alert with Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) is also standard, designed to detect lane markings and center the vehicle within the lane when used in conjunction with All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. If lane markings are unclear, LTA can, under certain conditions, follow the vehicle ahead. Road Sign Assist (RSA) is included to read certain road signs and display them on the multi-information display in the LS 500.
The optional Lexus Safety System+ A offers even more advanced features for the LS 500. Both systems provide comprehensive support for safer driving across a wide range of situations, providing drivers with information on system status and vehicle behavior via the multi-information display and, if equipped, the large color head-up display (HUD).
Lexus Safety System+ A expands the response range of the Pre-Collision System (PCS). It includes Front Lateral Side PCS, using lateral side radar to detect vehicles approaching diagonally from the front. If a potential collision is detected, the system warns the driver. Brake Assist is also activated if a high collision probability is determined, helping the driver avoid or mitigate impact force. Intersection Turning Assist is newly added to the LS 500 with LSS+ A, designed to detect oncoming vehicles when turning left at intersections and pedestrians when turning right or left. Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA) warns the driver of approaching vehicles or bicycles from the left or right at intersections under certain conditions.
Active Steering Assist (ASA) can help reduce the severity of or prevent collisions with pedestrians that may not be avoidable by automatic emergency braking alone. If the system detects a high probability of collision with a pedestrian or a continuous structure like a guardrail, and lane markers are detected, it may provide steering assist within the lane, in addition to alerts and braking, to aid in collision avoidance or mitigation in the LS 500.
Lane Change Assist is integrated with Lane Tracing Assist. When Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist are active, Lane Change Assist allows for driver-initiated and monitored lane changes using cameras, radar, and sensors. Activated by the turn signal, it monitors the surroundings and controls steering and acceleration/deceleration to facilitate lane changes in the LS 500.
Available on all LS 500 models for 2021 are Lexus Enform Safety Connect (3-year trial), Enform Remote (3-year trial), Lexus Enform Wi-Fi (4GB/3-month trial), and Lexus Enform Service Connect (10-year trial), providing a suite of connected services for enhanced safety, convenience, and information access in the LS 500.
