It is the end of an era. The car that kick-started the Lexus brand is being discontinued after 2026. But the Lexus LS is not going out quietly, as a final-edition model celebrates 36 years of this full-size luxury sedan’s legacy. Called the LS 500 Heritage Edition, the final Lexus LS is a limited-run model that gets a lot of cool, bespoke elements inside and out.
Luxury, comfort, convenience, technology, and handsome looks are all equally catered to here. The LS started as a smashing value-for-money luxury car that made the dominating Germans sweat. While it’s shocking to see abysmal sales figures for this car, Lexus is ending things on a high note, reminding people one last time why the LS 500 is in a league of its own against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and BMW 7 Series.
Lexus Is Sending Off The LS With A Limited Edition
That Pays Homage To The Original LS
For 2026, Lexus is only offering a single trim of the LS. The LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition packs the best of everything that Lexus has to offer in a well-rounded and sharp-looking package. It is limited to just 250 units for North America and is a tribute to a model that has defined luxury over the last three decades. A distinctive paint job, bespoke interior trimmings, and loads of top-spec standard technology and safety features round up the previous Lexus LS.
There is no dearth of sporty appeal, with bespoke alloy wheels and the unmistakable Lexus design language that balances sharpness and elegance. The 2026 Lexus LS gets a sole new color—Ninety Noir. This is a deep black shade that is complemented by dark exterior moldings and garnishes. It also flaunts distinctive 20-inch split-spoke alloy wheels finished in Dark Gray Metallic.
Notable Exterior Features
- Triple-beam LED headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System
- 20-inch split-20-spoke alloy noise-reduction wheels
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Power trunk with kick sensor
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- Headlamp washers
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A Brief On The Lexus LS Over The Past 36 Years
The Car That Put Lexus In The Spotlight
The LS is Lexus’s first-ever car, bringing Toyota’s luxury arm to the spotlight. The LS 400 was a hard blow to the German luxury automakers and redefined what a luxury car was. It was not just about opulence but also how performance, comfort, convenience, and even reliability can be balanced on the same plate. The first-gen 1989 LS 400 was an all-out offering, pushing the envelope with Toyota’s first-ever Lexus. The design was understated but exquisite and timeless; it packed a very refined 4.0-liter V8 and insane levels of build quality that even some German giants fell short of.
Remember the champagne glass on the hood advertisement? Yup, it was on the LS 400, and Lexus even created a 35-year follow-up video replicating the same on the 2025 LS 500. Lexus evolved the LS without changing its core value. The exterior of the original LS and the current one are opposites. But the core values of refinement, luxury, and sheer reliability remain unchanged. It received a mid-cycle refresh in 1998 with updated styling, a new VVT system that boosted the V-8’s output to 290 horsepower, and a new five-speed automatic gearbox in place of the old four-speed unit.
The all-new third-gen LS launched in 2001 and was renamed the LS 430. It had a bigger 4.3-liter V8 with more torque. This generation introduced features such as adaptive cruise control and the LexusLink telematics system. The model line-up also grew to include a sport-tuned Touring model. It was in 2007 that Lexus finally let go of the LS’s boxiness with sharper lines and a more aerodynamically efficient design. This fourth-generation model also saw the addition of the first-ever LS hybrid. In 2013, a facelift brought the now-popular spindle grille to the LS. Currently, the Lexus LS is in its fifth generation, which broke cover in 2017. This generation has a platform that is shared with the drop-dead-gorgeous LC coupe.
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Cool Interior With Bespoke Bits
And Loaded With Luxury And Technology
The interior creates a gorgeous contrast with the dark exterior. The 2026 LS 500 features a Rioja Red interior shade, well contrasted with black elements on the dashboard. The center console reminds you of the special Lexus you are in with an etched “LS Heritage Edition” badge featuring the silhouette of the LS. This design is also embroidered onto the headrests, elevating its exclusive appeal. Lexus has added a lot of luxury features that are otherwise standard on “standard” models. The interior’s Laser Special Black wood trim receives a new pattern and is complemented by the Ultrasuede-trimmed headliner and sun visors.
Notable Standard Luxury Features
- Heated rear seats
- Power lift-up buckle
- Power rear sunshade
- Dual-zone climate control
- Fast-response interior heating
- Semi-aniline leather-trimmed door armrests
- Quilted-stitch perforated semi-aniline leather trimming
- Wood and semi-aniline leather-trimmed center console
- 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats
- Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with wood trimming
- 28-way power-adjustable rear seat with multi-function massage and cushion extender
A Wholesome Suite Of Convenience And Assistive Features
Lexus has loaded the last LS with an impressive suite of electronics. The Heritage Edition stands out by bringing many otherwise optional features standard. The luxurious dashboard gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assist, and Destination Assist. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Lexus has also added a 2,400W Mark Levinson 23-speaker Reference Surround Sound. The cockpit gets a 12.3-inch multi-information display and a 10.0-inch Head-Up display. Connected technology is also well-stacked for service, internet connectivity, and safety, with Wi-Fi, up to three GB of data, and a three-month trial. The safety suite is a top-spec courtesy of the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0.
Notable Technology Features
- Service Connect with a five-year trial
- Safety Connect with a five-year trial
- Backup camera
- Ten airbags
- Vehicle Stability Control
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Advanced Park
- Wi-Fi Connect with up to a 30-day / three GB trial
-
Lexus App
- Remote Connect Engine Start
- Service Scheduling
- Vehicle Health Reports/Alerts
- Digital Key
- Panoramic View Monitor
-
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Road Sign Assist
- Automatic High Beams
- Proactive Driving Assist
Powered By A Refined V-6
That Has A Sporty Side, Too
The 2026 Lexus LS 500 Heritage Edition packs a 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6 that produces 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. It is coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system. The result is a luxury car that can accelerate from zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds. While this reliable V6 mill has a sporty side, Lexus has made it very civilized.
Engine, Gearbox, and Performance Specs
|
Engine Configuration |
V6; Twin-Turbocharged |
|
Engine Displacement |
3.4-liters |
|
Compression Ratio |
10.478:1 |
|
Bore X Stroke |
3.37 X 3.94 in. |
|
Power |
416 HP |
|
Torque |
442 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
10-Speed Automatic |
|
Drivetrain |
All-Wheel Drive |
|
0-60 MPH |
4.6 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
136 MPH |
|
Drag Coefficient |
0.30 |
A notable feature is the engine’s lip shape on the piston top, which helps reduce emissions and improve quiet operation when the engine is cold. Driving dynamics are taken care of with features like adaptive variable suspension and a slew of drive modes, including Sport S+ and custom modes. Furthermore, the AWD system features a Torsen limited-slip center differential, further enhancing grip, traction, and cornering stability.
2026 Lexus LS: Pricing And Availability
Unlike the 2025 LS 500, which was offered in two trim levels and two drivetrain options, the 2026 model has been simplified to just one single loaded trim level. The limited-run LS 500 in its AWD Heritage Edition guise offers a lot more in terms of features, thanks to Lexus adding a lot of earlier optional features as standard. Each of the 250 units of the 2026 Lexus LS 500 starts from $99,280, which also includes delivery, processing, and handling fees of $1,450. The last Lexus LS is slated to reach dealerships this fall.
Sources: Lexus, JD Power, Classic.com, Bring a Trailer