This week, we are looking at the 2023 Lexus LS 500, the flagship of the Lexus sedan lineup. This is a combination of large and luxurious and would be a great car if you have a driver and want to be chauffeured, or just to drive yourself.
This Lexus has crisp sculpted lines all around, the unique Lexus grill, beautiful 20” wheels, a rear spoiler, just the right amount of chrome around, and dual exhaust running from the rear.
Powertrain
Under the sculpted hood, you’ll find a 3.4-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.
My tester is the rear-wheel-drive version, but all-wheel drive is available.
This is a luxury sedan and that is evident in the interior. Beautiful white 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, and of course, they will massage you.
The gauge cluster is beautiful and changes colors with each drive mode. A round tachometer and digital speedometer sit in the middle.
High on the center of the dash is an all-new 12.3-inch touchscreen that operates everything including the 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, navigation, Bluetooth, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto, voice commands, a Wi-Fi, apps, and settings.
Below the screen are climate controls, shortcuts to the touchscreen, and the auto brake hold button.
The center console is nice and simple and the armrest is soft to the touch, and it opens from both sides. There are more USB and power ports inside.
There are large 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 S+ is my favorite drive mode, but you can also choose from Eco, Comfort, Normal, Custom, and Sport S. There are distinct differences in the car depending on which mode you choose.
My tester has the Executive Package, which is a whopping $16,855. Both rear seats will recline, are heated and cooled, and the right-side passenger gets a full recliner and ottoman. There is a computer screen in the rear center console to control the audio system, and to raise and lower the power rear sunshade and both side sunshades.
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, rearview video camera, and a massive head-up display. However, the little leather key fob holders are a $25 MSRP upgrade, which made me chuckle.
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.
The LS 500 rides and drives like you’d expect from a large, luxury car. The cabin is library quiet, and acceleration is pretty incredible thanks to the two turbochargers. In Sport+ mode, you even get a little exhaust rumble.
Fuel economy is good for a huge sedan at 18 in town and 29 on the highway. Total MSRP as you see this car is $108,385, but most will choose not to have the Executive Package which will get the same car down to $91,500 and for me, that is a great value.
If you are looking for one of the finest luxury sedans ever built, the Lexus LS 500 should be on your shopping list.