10 Things To Know About The Lexus LS Hybrid

In 1989, Toyota introduced the Lexus brand as its luxury brand in the United States, but it took until 2006 for Lexus to launch in its home market of Japan. Sharing its launch with the Lexus ES, the Lexus LS hybrid was the company’s first step towards evolution. The Flagship Lexus LS was initially sold under the name ‘Toyota Celsior’. The inaugural Lexus LS series fits the “old is gold” proverb perfectly, as it’s one of the oldest and most successful models ever produced by the company. The notion ‘LS’ means Luxury Sedan, signifying the comfort and impeccable driving experience it offers.

30 years have slipped by since Lexus left a dent in the luxury sedan scene with the launch of the flagship LS. This elegant set of wheels brought words like quality and luxury to life. Thanks to Lexus’s relentless pursuit of engineering perfection, the flagship LS brought forth a number of breakthroughs and refinements to the brand’s name and credibility. Lexus’s unwavering dedication to delivering a top-tier luxury vehicle shines through with the all-new 2023 Lexus LS Hybrid.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Lexus NX Is The Perfect Crossover For Small Families

1 The Lexus LS Hybrid Is More Expensive Than It Looks

Starts At $114,835

In the last decade, the automotive realm has been subjected to groundbreaking strides of progress in electric vehicle (EV) technology. While the hybrid luxury sedan arena remains a tough nut to crack for most automakers, Lexus is the name of the brand that intends to dominate the luxury sedan arena with its LS Hybrid model. Starting at a whopping $114,835, which happens to be over $36,000 more expensive than the LS’s standard gas model, Lexus is out there making bold moves.

2023 LS Hybrid Price Comparison With Gas Trims

With the ‘h’ in LS 500h, symbolizing hybrid, the Lexus 500h, currently, is in its fifth generation and over three decades old. With the 2023 Lexus LS 500h, Lexus continues to dominate the hybrid luxury sedan segment.

2 The Lexus LS 500h Presents A Bold Exterior

The 2023 Lexus Hybrid’s design beautifully combines the visual characteristics of a spacious four-door sedan with a sleek, low-profile couple, strategically situating the 2023 LS 500h at the crossroads of the growing sedan and coupe segments. The LS 500h has undergone a radical transformation in terms of design, departing from its prestigious heritage. The iconic rectangular front grille made way for a bold, single, large grill.

2023 Lexus Hybrid Exterior Dimensions

The lighting system, encompassing headlights, turn signals, and fog lights, was integrated seamlessly. 19-inch split 10-spoke alloy noise reduction wheels make sure your drive is as whisper-soft as possible. The 2023 Lexus LS 500h comes in eight distinct color hues to choose from:

2023 Lexus Hybrid Color Options

• Eminent White Pearl
• Iridium
• Atomic Silver
• Manganese Luster
• Caviar
• Obsidian
• Matador Red Mica
• Nightfall Mica

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Lexus NX Hybrid Is Special

3 It Boasts A Luxurious Interior With Ample Cargo Capacity

The Lexus LS Hybrid’s jaw-dropping interior greets you with 28-way power front seats that come with a massage function. The seat cushion comes with the option to extend to fully support your legs. Ambient lighting with soft LED illumination warmly seduces drivers and passengers to get inside the cabin. The light sources come from behind the armrest and the door trim gives the illusion that the armrest is floating.

2023 Lexus Hybrid Interior Dimensions

The interior is adorned with a duotone leather finish, contributing to the tranquil ambiance. The 2023 LS 500h offers power-retractable headrests that symbolize unmatched comfort and unprecedented luxury. The 2023 comes with a panorama glass roof on the ceiling that illuminates the rear with sunlight, and provides a larger opening, which is unusual for its class. In the rear, the trunk provides 15.2 cubic-feet of capacity, which has proven to be enough for a luxury sedan of this caliber.

Lexus LS 500h Cargo Capacity Vs. Competition

4 It Comes With The Lexus Multi-Stage Hybrid System

The Lexus LS 500h is the first hybrid vehicle from Lexus to feature the Multi Stage Hybrid System, revolutionizing hybrid powertrains. The 2023 Lexus LS Hybrid has been completely reimagined from scratch, delivering blistering performance and agility without compromising on comfort and luxury. Unlike other hybrid systems, it amplifies power from the V6 engine and hybrid battery using its four-stage shifting device.

This design eliminates the common “rubber band” effect sound found in many CVTs, ensuring a seamless and linear acceleration feel. It also allows you to select and hold gears using paddle shifts located behind the steering wheel. This feature, a first for Lexus Hybrids, ensures lightning-quick gear changes in response to paddle inputs, enhancing driver control and responsiveness.

Related: How The Lexus UX Hybrid Blends Luxury And Performance Perfectly

5 This Is The Most Advanced LS Hybrid Ever

The dashboard is adorned by a 12.3-inch touchscreen color LCD multimedia display, which is the gateway to a number of amazing features. Intelligent Assistant lets you use regular speech as voice control to perform in-car functions like temperature control, setting navigation points, or choosing music. Wireless Android Auto is available with screen mirroring to play apps like Spotify and Pandora.

The Color Head-Up display is an exclusive feature that projects all important information, like current speed, gear, and RPM, directly onto the windshield for added convenience. If you happen to be sitting in the back, you get a seven-inch touch screen in the rear which can be used to manage temperature and seven different massage settings.

6 The LS 500h Produces Up To 354 Horses

The Multi Stage Hybrid System of the Lexus LS Hybrid combines its 3.5-liter V-6 Dual VVT-i gasoline engine with two electric motors, which is responsible for producing an astounding 354 horsepower, with a robust 257 pound-feet of torque. Precision is paramount, with Dual VVT-i optimizing timing for every driving scenario.

2023 Lexus LS Hybrid Specs And Performance

The Multi Stage Hybrid technology of the 2023 LS 500h allows it to make the 0-60 miles-per-hour dash in a mere 5.2 seconds, with a top track speed of 136 miles-per-hour. Lexus intended to merge luxury and power in this four-door sedan, and it’s looking good so far.

Related: Why The BMW i7 Is The King Of Luxury Sedans

7 It Offers A Combined Fuel Economy Of 25 MPG

The most common people tend to consider a hybrid vehicle as their daily driver is fuel consumption. This factor could solely make or break your decision to opt for the said vehicle. Equipped with the top-of-the-line Multi Stage Hybrid System, the Lexus LS 500h provides a perfect blend of power, luxury, and somewhat decent efficiency.

2023 Lexus LS Hybrid Fuel Economy

For starters, any combined fuel economy (estimated by the EPA) that is above 23 miles per gallon is considered good. But after spending over $100,000, you’d expect top-of-the-line fuel economy, the Lexus LS Hybrid delivers a mediocre 22/ 29/ 25 miles-per-gallon on city/ highway/ combined drives. With an EPA estimated range of 555 miles, the Lexus LS Hybrid has somewhat redeemed its place as one of the many hybrid vehicles with the most ranges.

8 The Lexus LS Hybrid Comes With A Lot Of Safety Features

With the addition of the Lexus Safety System 2.5+, the Lexus LS Hybrid comes with an array of safety and convenience features, that elevate your drives to new heights.

Some key safety features include:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Intelligent High Beams
• 10 standard airbags
• Backup camera with dynamic grid lines
• Vehicle Stability Control
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Rear-seat-cushion airbags

As of now, the 2023 Lexus LS lineup hasn’t been subjected to safety reviews by either the IIHS or the NHTSA. But thanks to Lexus LS’s proven track record, it’s safe to have confidence in all these safety features.

Related: 10 Cost-Effective Alternatives To The Lexus RC F

9 Here’s What The Warranty Coverage Looks Like

The 2023 Lexus LS Hybrid comes backed by Lexus’s comprehensive warranty plan that covers all aspects of the car. But if you happen to be in need of extended plans, you’ll still find a variety of plans available, those which cover accessories or vehicle loss due to theft. The basic warranty plan provides coverage for 48 months or 50,000 miles driven. Wheel alignment and balancing services are provided for a period of 12 months or until your vehicle reaches 12,000 miles.

Lexus’s 2023 Warranty Plans

The basic plan also covers accidents like fires and thefts. The powertrain warranty plan extends to 72 months or 70,000 miles, and it covers all crafting problems. The hybrid warranty plan extends to eight years or 100,000 miles. It covers all hybrid components like the battery voltage sensor, hybrid control module, and the hybrid battery itself.

10 How Well Does It Perform Against The Competition

The current market is booming with the luxury sedan segment. Companies like BMW, Genesis (Hyundai), and Lexus (Toyota) pumping out cars like hotcakes. Often people get confused whether they should choose the Genesis G90 over the Lexus LS Hybrid. Performance-wise the G90 is tied with the BMW 740i, powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine, producing a robust 375 horsepower with 391 pound-feet of torque, while the Lexus LS 500h falls slightly behind with 354 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque.

Lexus LS Hybrid Vs. Genesis G90Vs. BMW 7 Series