2023 Lexus LS, as the flagship of the Lexus lineup, this sedan sets the standard of luxury and refinement for the brand. However, it disappoints in a couple of important categories. The entry-level powertrain is a smoothly tuned twin-turbo V6, but it lacks the direct punch of a V8. The upgraded powertrain is a hybrid setup that is insufficiently refined for a car in this lofty category. Cabin trimmings are range-topping upscale, though, and the LS offers both comfort and polish for passengers. An enthusiastic driver may find the LS’s driving demeanor a bit of a snooze, but the ride quality is comfortable and the interior is silent. This makes it stand at key rivals such as the Audi A8, the BMW 7-series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-class, as these are nailing the balance between comfort, and luxury. But, the only area the LS lacks is a sport.
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What’s New?
This Lexus’s flagship sedan carries over the same personality and attitude for the 2023 model year, but the base model can now be equipped with the optional Mark Levinson stereo system. And plenty of the car’s standard driver assists have been enhanced. A unique Haku metal leaf door trim is now available on cars equipped with Luxury and Executive packages.
Engine & Performance
The base & standard engine in the LS is a twin-turbocharged 3.4-Liter V6 that delivers a buttery-smooth 416-hp. It sounds disciplined and powerful while under heavy gas, but silent enough when cruising. A 10-speed automatic handles the shift of speeds. Performance is more than enough for this car’s serving of luxury, but V8-powered variants of the BMW 7-series and the Mercedes-Benz S-class are quicker at the track. Models having the badge of LS500h, feature a hybrid powertrain that uses a 3.5-liter V6 and a setup of two electric motors to make 354-hp. While the standard twin-turbo V6 operates without any lags, the hybrid arrangement feels unrefined and altogether doesn’t imply a statement of luxury. The engine sounds gnarly and coarse, and the transmission is a mixture of a CVT and a regular four-speed automatic. The steps through preset gear ratios are as crisp as a fresh kernel of a cornflake.
Fuel Economy
| 2023 Lexus LS Mileage | City | Highway |
| RWD LS500 | 30 mpg | 19 mpg |
| RWD LS500h | 33 mpg | 25 mpg |
As usual, fuel-economy estimates for the hybrid are better than the nonhybrid LS500s. The rear-wheel-drive LS500 claims 30/19 mpg highway/city, the rear-wheel-drive LS500h earns 33/25 mpg ratings from the EPA.
Dimensions & Airbags
| 2023 Lexus LS Dimensions | |
| Length | 206.1 in |
| Width | 74.8 in |
| Height | 57.1–57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 123.0 in |
| Cargo Volume | 17 ft3 |
| Airbags | 14 Airbags |
All LS trims feature Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay capability, navigation, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Which is all controlled via a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. That means the gimmicky touchpad on the center console is no longer the only way to adjust vehicle settings, switch audio sources, or set a destination in the navigation menu. The system also recognizes some voice commands.
Pricing
| 2023 Lexus LS Trims | Price (USD) |
| LS500 | $77,250 |
| LS500 F Sport | $80,850 |
| LS500h | $113,150 |
We would recommend sticking with the standard twin-turbocharged V6 and RWD, only to reserve funds for opting coolest features. We would suggest going for the Luxury package; it’s expensive but worth it. This adds heated and cooled front and rear seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery; 28-way power-adjustable front seats with massage; rear buckets; a rear center console with touchscreen controls for climate, audio, and seat functions; four-zone automatic climate control; and power sunshades in the back.
Specifications & Top-Speed
| 2023 Lexus LS Specifications | Specs |
| Engine | twin-turbocharged V6 |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Horsepower | 416 hp |
| Torque | 442 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.8–5.2 sec |
| 0-100 MPH | 11.9–12.3 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | 13.2–13.4 sec |
| Top Speed | 136 mph |