Driven. 2026 Lexus LS500 Sport Luxury
The year was 1989. The World Wide Web was conceptualised by one Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the Berlin wall came crashing down before the world’s eyes, the Nintendo GameBoy was launched, the Simpsons premiered, and Toyota debuted Lexus with the LS400.
Whilst some will say it was insignificant comparatively; for the motoring world, it was a watershed moment.
The idea was conceived back in 1983 under the watchful eyes of chairman Eiji Toyoda. His goal was to build “an ambitious new vehicle that would outshine the world’s best". This led to the commissioning of thousands of engineers who were tasked with what is more aptly described as a coup than basic skunkworks.
It was long before the days of SUV’s and electric cars; a time when German saloons such as the BMW 7-series and Mercedes Benz S-class were considered the pinnacle of motoring.
A large luxurious sedan was the answer, and Lexus were not going to play shrinking violet. Its launch advertising famously featured a stack of champagne flutes on the bonnet. The LS400 was on a rolling road, running at the equivalent of 145MPH supposedly; the only splash was the worlds’ reaction.
In short, it was a revelation. The Lexus LS400 went on to sell 42-odd thousand units in its first year, 4 times the number of 7-series BMW’s and about 30,000 shy of the S-Class. It’d be rather silly not to factor a sticker price that left 40% on the table against the rivals though. It does sound quite familiar when you consider the market in Australia today.
Fast forward almost 30 years and the LS nameplate still exists. It’s seen various permutations, from the 430, 460 and finally the LS500; the subject of this review in its range topping Sport Luxury variant.
The basic formula remains in the form of a hulking sedan, albeit aesthetically moving on from the relatively basic elegance of the original. The current model measures in at 5.235m in total length, 3.125m of that being the wheelbase. These numbers eclipse the original by roughly 20 and 30 centimeters respectively, reflecting the extra size we’ve come to expect nowadays.
Increased styling in the latest variant lends a more athletic overall visual. It’s most evident in the haunches of the front guards, and the sloping rear roofline which almost looks more fastback than sedan.
It’s sharp and angular at its extremities, mostly on approach, where finishing of the large spindle grill creates a sense of movement when exposure to the sun’s rays. It’s flanked by very impressive active LED headlights.
20-inch stagger wheels feature hollow spokes to minimise noise; a concept that baffles my simple brain. My only gripe is in the rear view of the big sedan, where it just feels too much like a Camry for my liking. It may be a factor of the White Nova finish, thankfully there are a range of other colours available.
It’s equally beautiful inside, where honey coloured, ultra-soft cowhide covers an inordinate amount of the interior. It’s broken up by charcoal surfaces across the dash and door trims, along with stainless steel and beautifully finished Hazel hardwood timber inlays across various surfaces.
Front row seats feature infinite adjustability through the 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Everything from seat back-and-pad bolster width, multizone lumbar and even buttock supports feature.
Heating, cooling and massage functions are available, so if you can’t get yourself comfortable here you're likely incapable of doing so anywhere.
It’s from this position that you observe those haunched guards ahead of the beautifully trimmed steering wheel.
It’s got a range of buttons which compliment further examples on the dash and centre console. It all works well, and the operating system is familiar Lexus fare.
A wireless charger features at the leading edge of the centre cubby, within which USB ports are available to keep wires tucked away and neat.
Both wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available, and you’re going to want to connect because the 2400-watt 23-speaker Mark and Levinson sound system is an audiophile’s delight. It’s aided by a cabin that is whisper quiet, owing to insulation and noise cancelling functions.
Whilst the front row is a massaged and cossetted affair, there’s no hiding the 2026 LS500 Sport Luxury’s focus on rear-row occupants. Access is through a large door, which reveals the same beautiful finishes experienced up-front.
Sliding into one of two seats reveals a large centre armrest featuring a separate control screen, and a cool box up in the backrest section. If you need to seat 3 it can fold up, but I can’t see why you’d ever want to do that.
From this magic screen one can control everything from individual climate functions, audio controls, right through to massage and a plethora of seat adjustments. But the piece de resistance is the button which moves the passenger forward and reclines the left rear seat almost flat, complete with a retractable ottoman.
It’s truly a divine place to sit, with beautifully crafted retractable screens for each piece of glass keeping you safe from prying eyes.
Each side has access to an 11.6-inch screen, but you can only stream to them via a proprietary paid app, or via HDMI or Blue Ray disc player!
I’m all for the niceties, but at this price point it shouldn’t be this hard really.
These all become details once you hit the dash-mounted starter button. Doing so awakens the 310kw, 600Nm 3.4L twin-turbocharged V6 under that meandering bonnet. We’ve seen hybrids in the LS chassis over the years, but as a traditionalist this is the pick.
It’s a beautifully tractable engine that can either fall into the background in utter silence, or in Sport+ mode provide ample urge right up to the 6300rpm redline. With maximum power available at a lofty 6000rpm and torque from a lowly 1600, it pulls like a veritable freight train pausing only to select the next of 10 available ratios.
Air suspension is the headline but there’s more to the suspension architecture in the LS500. It’s your typical multi-link layout up front but I couldn’t help but notice double ball joints on both the upper and lower control arm mounts. Lexus claim that this allows the suspension to react to both steering inputs and road undulations independently.
The LS500 Sport Luxury is resultingly one of the most planted vehicles I’ve driven, period. It feels heavy, but not in a bad way. It’s purposeful, with very little of the outside world transmitting inside; be it noise or jarring from Sydney’s pockmarked roads.
In fact, it’s the first car I’ve enjoyed driving slow. Yes, you read that right.
There is something steadfast about driving this vehicle. The way it will float over a speed bump, the beautiful tactility of every button you use, and a cabin that is devoid of unnecessary noise. It’s truly something to be experienced.
That’s not to say it lacks in dynamism, because it will answer the willing drivers’ call with enthusiasm. To be clear it’s no sports car, but dropping a couple of cogs will see the elegant nose lift, propelling the big sedan into the distance. And that steering wheel shifts from a tool to provide a smooth ride to one designed to excite.
But where its best enjoyed is with the sunroof open, the music turned up and a hand hanging off the Hazel wood trimmed steering wheel enroute your favourite seaside restaurant.
Unfortunately though, the 2026 Lexus LS500 Sport Luxury is not long for this world. Almost 30 years since it changed the luxury car market, it has become a victim of a persistent preference toward hi-riding SUV’s.
Resultingly, after this model the LS nameplate will be no longer; not in its current form anyway.
To this silver haired petrolhead, this is a crying shame.
Like: Impeccably executed inside and out, stunning to drive
Dislike: This is the end of the road for the model
Car Guy Rating 9.5
It was with a real twinge of sadness that I pulled this review together. The LS represents the glory years for Japanese automotive manufacture. It may be a little dramatic, because the brand isn’t going anywhere – but once things are gone you just don’t get them back. If you have an opportunity to experience and LS, of any vintage, do it. You may end up feeling the same.
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