The Lexus LS is the flagship luxury sedan in the Lexus Australia range, sitting above the ES and offering a more exclusive, executive-focused driving experience. It is designed for buyers who want a large premium sedan with a calm cabin, detailed craftsmanship and a high level of standard technology. In Australia, the LS range has been presented around LS 500 and LS 500h powertrains, with F Sport and Sports Luxury equipment themes giving buyers a choice between a more driver-focused look and a more comfort-focused rear-seat experience. It is not a mainstream choice in a market increasingly dominated by luxury SUVs, but that is part of its appeal for buyers who still prefer the elegance and road presence of a proper flagship sedan.

The LS 500 uses a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, while the LS 500h uses a 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric hybrid system with Lexus Multi-Stage Hybrid Drive. The petrol model provides stronger conventional performance and a smoother match for buyers who enjoy effortless acceleration, while the hybrid model is the more efficient option for urban and long-distance Australian use. Lexus Australia’s brochure lists combined fuel consumption of 10.0L/100km for the LS 500 and 6.8L/100km for the LS 500h under ADR81/02 testing, so buyers comparing the two should consider whether performance character or fuel efficiency matters more.

Inside, the Lexus LS focuses heavily on comfort and detail. The official LS specification includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite navigation, wireless charging and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The model also offers premium cabin features such as heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, digital rear-view mirror, electric rear sunshade and detailed interior ornamentation options. Sports Luxury models add a stronger rear-seat comfort focus, including features such as quad-zone climate control, rear seat entertainment and more advanced rear seating functions, making them particularly suited to chauffeur-style use or buyers who spend time in the second row.

Safety is also a major part of the LS package. Lexus Australia lists Lexus Safety System+ with pre-collision safety, all-speed active cruise control, front cross traffic alert, lane trace assist, road sign assist, adaptive high-beam system, parking support brake, panoramic view monitor, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. This makes the LS feel more manageable despite its size, although buyers should still remember that it is a large car. Its 5235 mm length and 1900 mm width give it impressive presence and interior space, but they also make tight city parking and narrow inner-suburban streets less convenient than in smaller luxury sedans.

Exterior colour choice is broad for a flagship sedan. Lexus Australia’s LS brochure lists White Nova, Graphite Black, Titanium, Liquid Metal, Sonic Iridium, Lustre Shadow, Scarlet Crimson and Deep Blue as exterior colour options, with availability depending on grade and trim pairing. These finishes suit the LS’s formal sedan shape, ranging from subtle silver and grey tones to richer blue and crimson choices. Overall, the Lexus LS is best suited to Australian buyers who want a quiet, luxurious and highly equipped sedan with a strong ownership experience. It is not the cheapest luxury sedan to buy or run, and it cannot match an SUV for cargo flexibility, but it delivers a distinctive limousine-style experience that remains rare in the new-car market.