2021 Lexus LS 500h - Review by Mark Fulmer +VIDEO

Luxury, Design, Quiet, and Versatility Continue with the LS

Mark Fulmer
THE AUTO CHANNEL

This years LS continues to please with its stylish exterior, and classy upscale interior, and the comfort and quiet of its hybrid system. With many trims to choose from, the buyers can pick colors and materials that please them.

The LS 500h has a 1.1-kwh lithium-ion battery pack working in tandem with a naturally-aspirated V-6 and a sophisticated gearbox. The combination gives 354 horsepower and decent fuel economy in the low 30's if driven without jackrabbit starts. There is also a new noise-cancelling system which makes its already quiet interior almost ominously quiet, but a pleasure for conversations or enjoying dynamic music. With the LS, the driving modes are really present and distinguishable. SPORT modes are tight, COMFORT mode is gentle and cozy.

Front Leg Room 41.0 in - Head Room 37.3 in

Rear Leg Room 38.9 in - Rear Head Room 37.3 in

And touchscreen controls for the second row as well. Second row passengers had many head nods and positive expressions that included one youngster who curled up and, yes, actually fell asleep !

Trunk Volume 15.2 cu. ft. with easy open access.

Standard safety systems include the highly useful adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and active lane control. The Lexus Safety System+ package can gently move the LS into an open lane of traffic after the turn signal is activated and it can steer the car around pedestrians and cyclists in town if it doesn’t detect driver intervention, which is a nice system in specific instances but there's no substitute for good attentive driving skills.

Quite simply, the LS just continues to raise the highs in high-end luxury sedans.