Is the 2025 Lexus LS 500h a Good Car? 4 Pros, 3 Cons

Key Points

• Cars.com editors liked the Lexus LS 500h’s traditional luxury approach for its interior, simple multimedia system and refined hybrid powertrain with standard all-wheel drive.
• However, editors didn’t care for the luxury sedan’s dated styling, the price premium for the hybrid powertrain, or its self-driving system that isn’t as intuitive as competing systems.

The Lexus LS 500h is a bit of a luxury vehicle from another era, and not just because it prioritizes coddling occupants in luxury rather than amazing them with awe-inspiring multimedia systems and tech features. The Lexus flagship hasn’t seen a redesign since the 2018 model year, while virtually all of its competitors boast newer designs.

Related: 2024 Lexus LS 500h Review: Refreshingly Uncomplicated

That said, many luxury car buyers tend to be individuals who are often just fine with the Lexus’ traditional look and feel along with an abundance of simple physical controls. And while some of those competitors are larger and more spacious, the LS’ tidier dimensions help make it easier to handle. (The LS 500h continues for 2025 with no major changes but was discontinued for 2026.)

Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman spent a week with a new LS 500h to see how its aging design is holding up against newer alternatives like the BMW 7 Series, Genesis G90 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Tap the link above to read his expert review, or read on for a quicker look at four things we like about the Lexus LS 500h and three things we do not.

What Do We Like About the Lexus LS 500h?

1. Old School Luxury

The LS takes a more traditional approach to luxury than most competitors, which offer a more modern look. Its interior is well equipped and attractively designed, with quality materials and solid assembly throughout. The posh leather seats are big and comfortable, with plenty of power adjustments and good support, and front and rear legroom is generous even if the cabin is not as spacious as some others.

2. Simple Tech

A freshening for 2021 brought a new touchscreen-based multimedia system with simple menus and graphics. Better still, Lexus retained knobs and buttons for ancillary controls in the LS, making quick adjustments to things like climate and audio functions easy. Everything is refreshingly simple to locate and use, with the possible exception of several small buttons on the lower left part of the dash.

3. Modern Powertrain

The old school vibe ends with the LS 500h’s hybrid powertrain. In place of the 416-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 found in the gas-only LS 500, the 500h gets a 3.5-liter V-6 engine paired with a battery-electric hybrid system for a total of 354 hp; it also has standard AWD. While not a plug-in hybrid, the system allows for limited electric-only operation and quiet, smooth, effortless acceleration while delivering an EPA-estimated 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined.

4. Throwback Appeal

As buyers continue to gravitate toward SUVs, luxury sedans are not as popular as they once were. While the aging LS is no exception, it is very good at providing a luxurious and isolated driving experience in the traditional Lexus fashion. That may be all some buyers are looking for.

Read More About the Lexus LS on Cars.com:

• 2026 Lexus LS 500 Takes Last Spin With Special AWD Heritage Edition
• Which Hybrid Vehicles Have All-Wheel Drive?
• Lexus LS Celebrates 35th Birthday for 2025, Priced From $81,685
• The 2022 Lexus LS 500h Has a Hands-Free Driving System; We Try It
• Research the Lexus LS 500h

What Do We Dislike About the Lexus LS 500h?

1. Dated Look

Having not had a redesign since the 2018 model year, the Lexus LS is looking somewhat long in the tooth. Its swoopy styling and oversize grille were signature elements of Lexus design when it launched, but the brand has toned both down with newer designs, leaving little to distinguish the Lexus flagship from a Toyota Camry.

2. Hybrid Pricing

With a starting price just over $80,000 (including destination), a base gas LS 500 can be had for tens of thousands of dollars less than other full-size luxury sedans. The 2025 LS 500h, however, carried a premium of almost $35,000, with prices starting at over $116,000. While the hybrid comes very well equipped with few options available, that’s still a hefty price premium that’s unlikely to be made up in fuel savings.

3. Problematic Self-Driving

Lexus trailed some manufacturers in developing a semi-autonomous hands-free driving system, but it launched Lexus Teammate in 2021, which is standard equipment in the LS 500h. A more complex system than some, it combines laser range finders, radar, and various driver checks and status reports to allow hands-free driving in certain conditions; that’s all well and good, but in practice, we found the system was neither as easy to use nor as comprehensive in its abilities as Ford BlueCruise or GM Super Cruise.

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