The Bottom Line: What is a LS 500? The LS 500 is a full size luxury sedan serving as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury car and SUV division of Toyota. The 2021 Lexus LS 500h is available in a single trim level, and it’s powered by a 3.5L liter V6 gasoline engine paired with two electric motors. Combined system output is 354 horsepower. A unique transmission combines a traditional four speed automatic, and a CVT continuously variable automatic transmission, into a single unit.
The LS 500h, the “h” referring to hybrid, uses a multistage system that combines a naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle 3.5L liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motors powered by a compact, lightweight, lithium-ion battery. For 2021 an even more dramatic power train improvement has been made to the hybrid drivetrain, as the system is now tuned to utilize a new battery strategy, and drive more power through the electric motors upon acceleration.
The multistage shift software has also been updated to take advantage of this electric power appearing earlier in the power band. Combined system output of the internal combustion engine with the electric traction system is 354 hp, enabling the LS 500h to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.
This week Lexus sent me a 2021 Lexus LS 500h hybrid luxury sedan to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this model is $90,500. The options on the test car are: the Lexus safety system plus for $3,000, the digital rear view mirror for $200, the 20″ split 5 spoke forged alloy wheels upgrade for $40, the 24″ wide heads up display for $1,200, the luxury package for $9,000, and the destination charge for $1,025. The total MSRP manufactures suggested retail price is: $104,965.
After you add in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total out the door and in your garage purchase price came to: $118,086. As the LS 500 is the top of the line luxury sedan from Lexus, it’s nice to have a hybrid model for better gas mileage and lower emissions.
As you would expect the ride and driving experience of a near $120,000 luxury car is perfect. The ride is silky smooth with positive power from the hybrid gas engine and electric motors. Fuel economy is 25 MPG city, 33 MPG highway, with an average of 28 MPG in combined driving. The greenhouse gas rating is a 6, and the smog rating is a 7, both out of 10. For a full size luxury sedan these are the best in class fuel and emission numbers you can get.
Not only is your Lexus LC 500h the star car at the country club, your helping to save the planet too, in a small way, but still helping out driving a hybrid luxury model. Every car manufactured should have a hybrid power train as standard equipment, and a plug-in hybrid is the best of both worlds.
To make this LS 500h even more special it has the upgraded Luxury Package. This set of options include: a 28 way power driver and passenger seat with multifunction massage, a ultrasuede headliner, power tensioning front seat buckles, 18 way power reclining outboard rear seats with memory, a 7″ touch screen controller, 4 zone climate control, and power side and rear window sunshades.
The Lexus 2.0 Safety System adds pre-collision active braking, pre-collision active steering, pedestrian alert, front cross traffic alert, lane change alert, lane tracing alert, lane departure alert, road sign recognition, radar cruise control, and intelligent high beams. The LS 500 is always on the lookout for potential problems and can help steer you in the safest direction, to avoid a collision or bodily harm, to a pedestrian, you, or your family.
The Lexus LS 500 competes head on with the best luxury cars from Germany. If your thinking about buying a Mercedes Benz S Class, a BMW 8 Series or an Audi A8 sedan, stop and take a moment to consider the Lexus LS 500 luxury sedans. You will be pleasantly surprised at the level of luxury Lexus brings to the table, without the mega priced window stickers, of the European car companies.
So, when you’re ready to buy a new luxury sedan the 2021 Lexus LS 500h should be at the top of your ride and drive list, as it is one of the best luxury sedans for sale today. Call, click or visit your local Lexus dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on a new 2021 Lexus LS 500h. And remember that the base window sticker price for a LS 500 starts at only $76,000.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense © editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
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