This week, we are looking at the 2022 Lexus LS 500 F Sport, the flagship of the Lexus car lineup. This is a combination of large and luxurious, with a sports car flare.
Exterior
This Lexus has sculpted lines all around, the unique Lexus grill, beautiful 20”wheels, and dual exhaust running from the rear. This car is stunning in the Matador Red Mica color.
Powertrain
Under the sculpted hood, you’ll find the tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6 with twin-turbos mated to a 10-speed automatic with shift paddles. Together, they put out a strong 416-horses and 442-pound feet of torque. Even though it is a huge car, you can reach 0-to-60 in 4.6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 155-miles per hour.
My tester is the rear-wheel drive version, but all-wheel drive is available, which I would prefer.
Interior
This is a luxury sedan and that is evident in the interior. Beautiful white and black two-tone bolstered leather seats greet you and immediately grab your attention. The door panels are just beautiful and the stitching across the dash is very elegant.
The heated and air-conditioned front seats have 28-way adjustments on both sides, an amazing feature for those people who have back issues.
The gauge cluster is simply beautiful and changes with each drive mode. A round tachometer and digital speedometer sit in the middle and a push of a button on the steering wheel slides the center display to the right to reveal even more info.
High on the center of the dash is an all-new 12.3-inch screen that operates everything including the 17-speaker, 1800-watt amazing Mark Levinson sound system, navigation, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice commands, a CD player, Wi-Fi, apps, and settings.
You can now avoid the trackpad on the center console, and instead use the touchscreen with your fingers, which is what I do. The trackpad sort of makes me crazy, but it does cut down on finger prints on the screen.
Below the screen are climate controls, shortcuts to the touchscreen, and the auto brake hold button, a feature I love on any car.
The center console is nice and simple and the armrest is large and soft to the touch, and you can open the armrest for additional storage and it opens from both sides. There are two more USBs and a power port inside.
There are controls coming off the dash to change the drive modes, and on the other side to turn on the snow mode for bad weather. As you may have guessed, sport plus is my favorite drive mode, but of course, I didn’t even try any of the others.
The back seat is incredibly roomy, and these passengers get air-conditioning vents, a power outlet, two USB ports, and a fold down armrest with cup holders. Rear seat visitors can also use a button to slide the front passenger seat forward for more back seat legroom, or just to jack with the front seat passenger.
Standard Equipment and Safety
It’s the top-of-the-line Lexus, so you know it’s loaded. You get a power panoramic moonroof, touchless power trunk lid, power heated steering wheel, a power rear sunshade, and a massive 24” head-up display.
The Lexus Safety System plus gives you pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and a rear camera with cross traffic alert.
Ride and Drive
The LS 500 rides and drives like you’d expect from a large, luxury car, maybe better than most. The cabin is extremely quiet, and acceleration is pretty incredible thanks to the two turbochargers. It even has a really nice, throaty exhaust sound in Sport Plus mode.
Verdict
Fuel economy is good for a huge sedan at 18 in town and 29 on the highway, and I’m actually averaging better. Total MSRP as you see this car is $98,255.
If you are looking for one of the finest luxury sedans ever built, the Lexus LS 500 F Sport should be on your shopping list.
On a side note, this is the most car wash friendly vehicle I’ve ever been in. You see, I take every car I review to the car wash before giving it back. Although they wipe the excess water off, they often do a crappy job. So, the first thing I do when I get home is get a soft towel and wipe the streaks off. Most cars are horrible, even the ones I own personally. However, the LS 500 does not have the typical runoff under chrome strips, etc. It was almost perfect when I got home. BRAVO LEXUS!
- What I Liked Most: The power, interior, exterior looks, and comfortable ride.
- What I would change: I’ve racked my brain, can’t think of a thing.
- MSRP: Base price: $79,600 as equipped: $98,255.
- Fuel Economy: 18 city/29 highway/22 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 800 miles.
- Weight: 4,600-pound curb weight.
- Spare Tire: Inflator Kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 206” long/75” wide/58” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.7 gallons with the filler on the driver's side.
- Official Color: Matador Mica Red.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2022 Lexus LS 500 in a few words: Just an incredible luxury sedan all around. This is the benchmark for all large, luxury sedans.
- Warranty: 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance, 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain coverage, and two complimentary maintenance visits.
- Final Assembly Location:
Tahara, Aichi, Japan.
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Manufacturer's website: Lexus
