New for 2016

For 2016, Lexus added more body adhesive for increased structural rigidity, tweaked the car’s infotainment system and added more features, and added some new exterior colors.

Best of the Best 

Over 25 years ago, the original Lexus LS showed that luxury cars don’t have to be a pain to own. Since then, Lexus has combined Toyota quality and reliability with performance, comfort, and technology to rival old-school luxury brands. That trend continues with the 2016 Lexus LS, a full-size sedan that represents the best of the brand. The LS is fast and comfortable, but also efficient and dependable.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2016 Lexus LS proves that luxury cars don’t have to be wasteful. Lexus has offered a hybrid powertrain option in its flagship sedan for years, something rivals are only now catching up with. There’s also a smooth and powerful standalone V8 option.

The LS 460 features a 4.6-liter V8 with 386 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque. It’s offered exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The LS 460 will do 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds with rear-wheel drive, or 5.9 seconds with all-wheel drive, and every LS model is electronically limited to 130 mph.

Given that its parent company created the Prius, it’s not surprising that Lexus also features a hybrid at the pinnacle of its lineup. Available only in “L” long-wheelbase form with all-wheel drive, the LS 600h L boasts a 5.0-liter V8 and continuously variable transmission (CVT), along with an electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery pack.  Total system output is 438 hp, which gets the hybrid LS from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.

The hybrid also returns an impressive EPA-rated 20 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 23 mpg highway).* The non-hybrid LS 460 gets 19 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive,* and 18 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive.*

Features and Trims

The 2016 Lexus LS is a four-door, five-seat full-size luxury sedan, available in standard and long-wheelbase versions. It’s priced starting from $72,520.**

That base price buys a complement of standard equipment worthy of Lexus’ flagship model. The list includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, leather interior, 16-way driver and 12-way passenger power-adjustable front seats, navigation, power tilt/telescoping multifunction steering wheel, moonroof, 10-speaker audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, Siri Eyes Free voice control (for Apple iPhone) and more.

In addition, individual options include a heated wood and leather-padded steering wheel, five-mode adjustable air suspension, and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson Reference surround-sound system.

There are also several option packages to choose from. One is the Comfort Package, which adds climate-controlled front seats, open-touch power trunk and rear sunshade. There’s also an Ultra Luxury Package with four-zone climate control, power rear seats with climate control, lumber massage, and butterfly headrest, rear air conditioning, rear audio controls, and rear side airbags. A Semi-Aniline Leather and Alcantara Upgrade Package adds more upscale interior trim.

Another notable option is the Executive-Class Seating Package. This includes all of the features of the Ultra Luxury Package, as well as leather door trim, leather glove box, and instrument panel, a power ottoman seat with massage and ottoman knee airbag, and a rear-seat entertainment system. With all of those features, you may never want to leave the LS’ back seat.

For those who prefer being a driver to being a passenger, there’s also the F Sport package. F is Lexus’ performance sub-brand, and F Sport models add a little extra sportiness to the brand’s lineup. Available only on the standard-wheelbase LS 460, it adds a bit of sportiness with 19-inch forged alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential (for rear-wheel drive models), sport suspension, sport seats, paddle shifters, Brembo brakes, and model-specific styling.

Exterior/Interior

The 2016 Lexus LS strikes a good visual balance, with styling that’s powerful and dynamic, but also refined. Like all other recent Lexus models, it sports the brand’s “spindle” grille, an identifier that sets Lexus vehicles apart from the rest. The bold grille is complemented by details like sculpted Xenon HID headlights with an LED signature, taillights with an “L” pattern (of course), and integrated exhaust tips.

The interior shows equal attention to detail. The leather seating surfaces and grain-matched wood trim make it a very nice place to be, while the electroluminescent gauges and TFT display integrated with the gauge cluster add a modern touch. Like most modern car, the LS has an infotainment system with a display screen in the dashboard. But this system boasts Lexus’ Remote Touch Interface, which makes navigating it easier than with the typical, confusing array of buttons and menus.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Lexus LS includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, the Lexus Enform® Safety Connect telematics system (with complimentary one-year trial subscription), and a full array of airbags. Optional features include a Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, an Advanced Pre-Collision System with Drive Attention Monitor and Collision Avoidance Assistant, rear-seat side airbags, and an ottoman knee airbag for cars with the Executive-Class Seating Package.

Bottom Line

The 2016 Lexus LS stays true to the original LS by offering extravagant luxury with the sensibility and value and Toyota is known for.

Be sure to contact us online or visit 3Birds Template to schedule a test drive.

*2016 EPA-estimated ratings. Actual mileage will vary. Ratings achieved using the required premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. If premium fuel is not used, performance will decrease.

**MSRP does not include delivery, processing and handling fee of $950. Excludes taxes, title, license and optional equipment. Dealer price will vary. Does not include accessory options installed by dealer.

Image: Lexus