Lexus LS raises the bar
Host of detail changes for Japanese brand’s flagship sedan, now on sale from $196KLexus has announced local pricing and specs for the 2021 Lexus LS as the Japanese brand’s updated limo enters showrooms this week.
Its arrival comes just two months ahead of its closest rival, the all-new 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and as we’ve previously reported, there are no earth-shattering changes but a host of minor detail updates brought with the latest LS.
Now priced from $195,953 plus on-road costs, which marks an $1817 increase, the 2021 Lexus LS range continues with two trim levels – F Sport and Sports Luxury – that are available with either a petrol or petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
The car-maker says the 310kW 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 in 2021 Lexus LS 500 is lighter than before, as well as quieter when the engine is cold thanks to newly-designed pistons.
The powertrain on the Lexus LS 500h – a 264kW 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 with electric motor and lithium-ion battery – has also been tweaked, with Lexus claiming to have expanded its range of operation and improving refinement.
The luxury Japanese marque says dynamic enhancements to the new model also make the cabin quieter and more comfortable.
Inside the cabin, a new 12.3-inch touch-screen display does away with the polarising touch-pad unit found in previous models, while a 23-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system is found across the range.
New driver assistance tech on the Lexus LS includes intersection turning assist. This system debuted on the latest Lexus IS and can detect oncoming traffic, using the vehicle’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) to stop the car turning into an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian.
Meanwhile, a new digital rear-view mirror can display real-time vision from the reversing camera.
Multiple interior trim options are available, including cut-glass ornamentation, hand-pleated upholstery and platinum foil around the door handles, which can cost up to $10,000 extra.
On the outside, the grille, front bumper and tail-light accents have been revised, while the headlights now feature ‘BladeScan’ adaptive high beam technology for “more precise illumination”.
As you’d expect, a generous range of standard gear can be found on every 2021 LS model.
This includes adaptive variable suspension, height-adjustable air suspension, a tilt/slide moon roof, LED headlights and daytime running lights, electric boot lid, soft-close doors and front puddle lamps.
Every variant also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, digital radio, a DVD player, satellite navigation, 28-way powered front seats with memory, a heated steering wheel and much more.
The standard safety suite extends to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection, road sign assist, lane tracing and curve speed reduction, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, active steering assist and front lateral side pre-collision braking.
New to the LS is the standard fitment of Lexus Connected Services, which comes with an Automatic Collision Notification that can alert emergency services if the airbags are deployed and passengers are unresponsive.
The service can also be used to track the vehicle’s location, should it be stolen.
Standard equipment on F Sport includes 20-inch dark metallic alloy wheels, dark accents for the grille and badges, a high-performance braking package, dynamic rear steering, dual-zone climate control, bolstered leather-appointed front seats and an LFA-style 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Sports Luxury trim level has 20-inch hollow-chamber alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, quad-zone climate control, semi-aniline leather-appointed upholstery, a front seat relaxation system, dual 11.6-inch HD rear seat entertainment system, electric rear sunshades, rear cooler box (except LS 500h) and rear ventilated and massage functions for outer seats.
How much does the 2021 Lexus LS cost?
LS 500 F Sport – $195,953 (+$1817)
LS 500 Sports Luxury – $201,078 (+$1442)
LS 500h F Sport – $195,953 (+$1817)
LS 500h Sports Luxury – $201,078 (+$1442)
*Pricing excludes on-road costs
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