Makes›Lexus›LS

Lexus LS

22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Lexus LS
Pictured: 2019 Lexus LS 500 AWD beige, front Hagerty 6.1.19. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2026
Class
Midsize Cars, Large Cars
Latest engines
3.4L 6-cyl turbo
Best MPG
18–28 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
13 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2008 (97)
Fewest problems
2017
Interest
24,657 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2026 LS in brief

The 2026 Lexus LS is a midsize car offered with a 3.4L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 206 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,938 lb (500 4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (17 city / 27 highway), 33% worse than the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

The Lexus LS has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Midsize Cars, Large Cars.

Its most efficient year was 2021 at 28 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 18 to 28 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the service brakes (138), unknown or other (53), electrical system (29).

Buying used? 2017 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2018 is the year to avoid.

2019 has the most recalls (4); all years together count 13 campaigns and 329 owner complaints.

How the 2005 LS compares

The 2005 Lexus LS is a large car offered with a 4.3L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 197 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,990 lb.

About the Lexus LS

The Lexus LS is a series of full-size luxury sedans that have served as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, since 1989. For the first four generations, all LS models featured V8 engines and were predominantly rear-wheel-drive. In the fourth generation, Lexus offered all-wheel-drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants. The fifth generation changed to using a V6 engine with no V8 option, and only one length was offered.

From the Wikipedia article "Lexus LS", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2026 LS pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 21 MPG combined, 33% below the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the LS with any other car →

LS changes by model year

  1. 2026
    • No hybrid version any more
    • Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
    • Best combined MPG down from 25 to 21
  2. 2022
    • Best combined MPG down from 28 to 25
  3. 2018
    • New body dimensions: 5.9 in longer, wheelbase +6.3 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • New hybrid version
    • Engines added: 3.5L 6-cyl and 3.4L 6-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 4.6L 8-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 19 to 28
  4. 2017
    • No hybrid version any more
    • Engine dropped: 5.0L 8-cyl
  5. 2015
    • Lightest version 375 lb heavier
  6. 2013
    • New body dimensions: 2.4 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
  7. 2008
    • New hybrid version
    • Engine added: 5.0L 8-cyl
    • All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
  8. 2007
    • New body dimensions: 1.1 in longer, wheelbase +1.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engine added: 4.6L 8-cyl
    • Engine dropped: 4.3L 8-cyl

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 22 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20263.4L 6-cyl turbo21 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated00
20253.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo25 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated33
20243.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo25 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated20
20233.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo25 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated21
20223.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo25 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated10
20213.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo28 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated26
20203.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo28 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated20
20193.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo28 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated47
20183.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo28 MPG206.3 in4,938 lbNot rated419
20174.6L 8-cyl19 MPG200.4 in4,652 lbNot rated02
20165.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl20 MPG200.4 in4,652 lbNot rated06
20155.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl20 MPG200.4 in4,652 lbNot rated17
20145.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl20 MPG200.4 in4,277 lbNot rated111
20135.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl20 MPG200.4 in4,277 lbNot rated115
20125.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl20 MPG198 in4,641 lbNot rated07
20115.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl20 MPG198 in4,641 lbNot rated011
20105.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl21 MPG198 in4,641 lbNot rated220
20095.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl21 MPG198 in4,365 lbNot rated219
20085.0L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl21 MPG198 in4,365 lbNot rated297
20074.6L 8-cyl20 MPG198 in4,365 lbNot rated286
20064.3L 8-cyl19 MPG196.9 in3,990 lbNot rated06
20054.3L 8-cyl18 MPG196.9 in3,990 lbNot rated06
Best combined MPG by model year — Lexus LS
2005: 18 MPG2006: 19 MPG2007: 20 MPG2008: 21 MPG2009: 21 MPG2010: 21 MPG2011: 20 MPG2012: 20 MPG2013: 20 MPG2014: 20 MPG2015: 20 MPG2016: 20 MPG2017: 19 MPG2018: 28 MPG2019: 28 MPG2020: 28 MPG2021: 28 MPG2022: 25 MPG2023: 25 MPG2024: 25 MPG2025: 25 MPG2026: 21 MPG20052008201120142017202020232026max 28 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 LS

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 BMW 5 Series31 MPGNot rated0
2026 BMW 7 Series28 MPGNot rated0
2026 Audi A624 MPGNot rated1
2026 Porsche Panamera21 MPGNot rated2
2026 Lexus ES46 MPGNot rated0
2026 Audi A822 MPGNot rated1

Most common owner-reported problems

Service Brakes138
Unknown Or Other53
Electrical System29
Fuel/Propulsion System27
Engine21
Structure › Body15
Vehicle Speed Control14
Air Bags12
Owner complaints by model year — Lexus LS
2005: 62006: 62007: 862008: 972009: 192010: 202011: 112012: 72013: 152014: 112015: 72016: 62017: 22018: 192019: 72020: 02021: 62022: 02023: 12024: 02025: 32026: 020052008201120142017202020232026max 97
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →